Google Photos vs WhatsApp for Guest Photos | LensGo [ LensGo ](https://lensgo.app) Use cases Use cases [ Weddings Capture all moments on your big day. ](https://lensgo.app/wedding-photo-sharing-app) [ Birthdays Share every laugh and special moment. ](https://lensgo.app/birthday-photo-sharing-app) [ Parties Relive the energy and fun in every photo taken. ](https://lensgo.app/party-photo-sharing) [ Groups Keep the memories of your group alive. ](https://lensgo.app/group-photo-sharing) [ Conferences Save the insights and networking highlights. ](https://lensgo.app/conference-photo-sharing) [ Corporate Events Showcase your team's best moments. ](https://lensgo.app/corporate-event-photo-sharing) [ School Trips Collect parent and student trip photos. ](https://lensgo.app/school-trip-photo-sharing) [ Graduation Every family's perspective in one album. ](https://lensgo.app/graduation-photo-sharing) [ Sports Events Collect every shot from everyone at the event. ](https://lensgo.app/sports-event-photo-sharing) [Business →](https://lensgo.app/for-business) [Pricing](https://lensgo.app/pricing) [Business](https://lensgo.app/for-business) [About Us](https://lensgo.app/about-us) [Contact](https://lensgo.app/contact) EN [ Dutch ](https://lensgo.app/nl/google-fotos-of-whatsapp-gastenfotos) [ German ](https://lensgo.app/de/google-fotos-oder-whatsapp-gaestefotos) [ Spanish ](https://lensgo.app/es/google-fotos-vs-whatsapp-fotos-invitados) [ French ](https://lensgo.app/fr/google-photos-ou-whatsapp-photos-invites) [ Swedish ](https://lensgo.app/sv/google-foto-eller-whatsapp-gastfoton) [ Norwegian ](https://lensgo.app/no/google-foto-eller-whatsapp-gjestebilder) [ Danish ](https://lensgo.app/da/google-fotos-eller-whatsapp-gaestebilleder) [ Finnish ](https://lensgo.app/fi/google-kuvat-vai-whatsapp-vieraiden-kuvat) [ Italian ](https://lensgo.app/it/google-foto-o-whatsapp-foto-ospiti) [Sign in](https://lensgo.app/login) [Get Started](https://lensgo.app/register) [ LensGo ](https://lensgo.app) EN English [ Dutch ](https://lensgo.app/nl/google-fotos-of-whatsapp-gastenfotos) [ German ](https://lensgo.app/de/google-fotos-oder-whatsapp-gaestefotos) [ Spanish ](https://lensgo.app/es/google-fotos-vs-whatsapp-fotos-invitados) [ French ](https://lensgo.app/fr/google-photos-ou-whatsapp-photos-invites) [ Swedish ](https://lensgo.app/sv/google-foto-eller-whatsapp-gastfoton) [ Norwegian ](https://lensgo.app/no/google-foto-eller-whatsapp-gjestebilder) [ Danish ](https://lensgo.app/da/google-fotos-eller-whatsapp-gaestebilleder) [ Finnish ](https://lensgo.app/fi/google-kuvat-vai-whatsapp-vieraiden-kuvat) [ Italian ](https://lensgo.app/it/google-foto-o-whatsapp-foto-ospiti) - [ Help center ](https://lensgo.app/help) - [ About Us ](https://lensgo.app/about-us) - [ Blog ](https://lensgo.app/blog) - [ Contact ](https://lensgo.app/contact) - [ Sign in ](https://lensgo.app/login) - [ Use cases ](https://lensgo.app#use-cases) - [ Pricing ](https://lensgo.app/pricing) - [ Business ](https://lensgo.app/for-business) - [ Reviews ](https://lensgo.app/reviews) [ Get Started ](https://lensgo.app/register) Need help or have questions? Open chat [ E-mail ](mailto:hello@lensgo.app) One thing before we start Leave your email address so we can reply, also when you have closed this page by then. Your email address That does not look like a valid email address. Could you double-check it? Start chat We only use it to reply to this conversation. Google Photos shared album vs WhatsApp group vs LensGo: how to collect guest photos =================================================================================== A WhatsApp group is the quickest way to collect guest photos from a small group that already chats together. A Google Photos shared album works well when every guest has a Google account and is happy to use it. LensGo fits weddings and bigger parties with mixed guests: they scan a QR code and upload in their phone browser, without an app or an account. [ Start for free ](https://lensgo.app/register) [ View pricing ](https://lensgo.app/pricing) ![Diverse group of friends laughing together outdoors on a picnic blanket—social events and shared photo albums.](/images/group-of-people.webp) The short answer ---------------- All three options can collect guest photos in one place. The right choice depends on how many guests you have, how well they know each other and what you want to do with the photos afterwards. - Choose a WhatsApp group for a small group of friends or family who already have each other's numbers and mainly want to share a few photos quickly. - Choose a Google Photos shared album when all guests have a Google account and you already keep your own photos in Google Photos. - Choose LensGo for a wedding, party or company event where guests do not all know each other, where you want original quality and a live slideshow, and where nobody should need an app or account. Google Photos shared album vs WhatsApp group vs LensGo ------------------------------------------------------ The main differences for collecting guest photos at an event, side by side. LensGo Google Photos shared album WhatsApp group App or account needed for guests No app, no account Google account to add photos WhatsApp app and phone number How guests join Scan QR code or open link Invitation or shared link Invite link or added by admin Photo quality Original quality Depends on each guest's settings Compressed by default, HD optional Videos Yes, originals are kept Yes Yes, compressed and size-limited Live slideshow on a screen Yes, in real time No live event slideshow No Who sees phone numbers or personal details Nobody, a name is optional Google name and profile photo Phone numbers visible to members Host moderation and approval Approval before showing, paid plans Owner can remove afterwards Admins can delete afterwards Download everything at once Yes, whole album as zip Yes, album download on web No, save photos one by one Cost Free to start, then one-time payment Free within Google account storage Free This comparison is based on publicly available information, features can change, so check the provider's website for the current details. The three options in detail --------------------------- Each option has real strengths and real limits. This is what to expect from each one at an event. ### LensGo LensGo is a web app made for collecting photos and videos at events. The host creates an event and gets a QR code and a link. Guests scan the code and upload from their phone browser into one shared album. - Guests need no app, no account and no login, and a name is optional - Photos and videos are kept in original quality and the host downloads the whole album as a zip - A live slideshow shows new uploads in real time on a TV or beamer, also on the free plan - The free plan is limited to 50 uploads. Bigger events need a paid plan, which is a one-time payment per event - Guests need an internet connection, the host has to share or print the QR code, and it is one more tool next to the chat group people already have **Weddings, birthdays, company events and any party where guests do not all know each other or do not all use the same apps.** ### Google Photos shared album Google Photos is a photo service from Google that many people already use. In a shared album, several people can add photos and videos to the same album, from the app or the website. - Many guests already have the app, especially on Android phones - Good search and organisation, and the album sits next to your own photo library - The album can be downloaded in one go on the web - Guests need a Google account to add photos, which not every guest has or wants to use - Photos count towards Google account storage, and the quality depends on the settings of the guest who uploads **Families and friend groups where everyone has a Google account and is comfortable with Google Photos.** ### WhatsApp group WhatsApp is a messaging app that most people in Europe already have on their phone. A group for the event lets everyone send photos and videos into the same chat. - Almost everyone already has it, so there is nothing new to explain - Sharing is instant and people can react and chat in the same place - It is free and takes a minute to set up - Photos and videos are compressed by default, so they are less suitable for printing or a photo book - All members can see each other's phone numbers, photos get lost between messages, and there is no simple way to download everything at once **Small groups that already know each other, such as a family weekend, a bachelor party or a dinner with friends.** How it works How collecting guest photos works with LensGo --------------------------------------------- Three steps from creating the event to downloading the album. 01 ### 1. Create your event Create an event in LensGo. You get a QR code and a link for your shared album. You can start for free. 02 ### 2. Share or print the QR code Print a QR poster with the built-in poster editor, put it on the tables or show it on a screen. You can also send the link in your existing WhatsApp group. 03 ### 3. Guests upload, you download Guests scan the code and upload photos and videos from their phone browser. Afterwards you download the whole album as a zip in original quality. Questions Frequently asked questions -------------------------- What is the easiest way to collect guest photos? For a small group that already chats together, a WhatsApp group is the easiest. For a wedding or a bigger party, a QR code that opens an upload page in the browser is easier, because guests do not need an app, an account or each other's phone numbers. Do guests need a Google account for a Google Photos shared album? To add photos to a Google Photos shared album, guests need to sign in with a Google account. Check the Google Photos help pages for the current rules on viewing an album without an account. Does WhatsApp reduce the quality of photos? WhatsApp compresses photos and videos by default to send them faster. There is an HD option, and sending a photo as a document keeps the original file, but every guest has to choose that for each message. Can other guests see my phone number or personal details? In a WhatsApp group, members can see each other's phone numbers. In a Google Photos shared album, members see each other's Google account name and profile photo. With LensGo, guests upload without an account, and adding a name is optional. What are the downsides of LensGo? The free plan is limited to 50 uploads, so bigger events need a paid plan, which is a one-time payment per event. Guests need an internet connection to upload. The host has to share or print the QR code, and it is one more tool next to the chat group people already have. Can I use LensGo together with WhatsApp or Google Photos? Yes. Many hosts share the LensGo link in their WhatsApp group and print the QR code for the venue. After the event you download the album as a zip and can store the photos wherever you like, including Google Photos. You might also like ------------------- [### Share Event Photos Without Downloading an App ](https://lensgo.app/share-photos-without-app) [### Kululu alternative with EU hosting ](https://lensgo.app/kululu-alternative) [### Disposable Camera Alternative for Weddings ](https://lensgo.app/disposable-camera-wedding-alternative) [### Pricing ](https://lensgo.app/pricing) Collect your guest photos in one album -------------------------------------- Create your event, share the QR code and let guests upload without an app or account. Free to start, paid plans are a one-time payment per event. [ Start for free ](https://lensgo.app/register)