ROLL CALL

Roll Call vs a Google Photos shared album

A shared album in Google Photos is the free, obvious way to collect event photos, and for some events it’s all you need. Here’s how it compares with a guest camera like Roll Call.

CHECKED ON THEIR SITE

The short version

A shared album is free and collects full-quality photos, but it depends on guests uploading afterwards, and everything shows up live. Roll Call costs money above 10 guests, but photos arrive as they’re taken, each guest gets a limited roll, and the whole event develops at once.

Feature by feature

ROLL CALLGOOGLE PHOTOS SHARED ALBUMS
CostROLL CALL ·Free up to 10 guests, then one payment per event.GOOGLE PHOTOS SHARED ALBUMS ·Free. Photos you save from it count towards your Google storage.
How guests add photosROLL CALL ·They shoot with the Roll Call camera; every photo lands in the gallery.GOOGLE PHOTOS SHARED ALBUMS ·Anyone with the link can view the album and add photos, if you allow it.
WhenROLL CALL ·During the event, as photos are taken.GOOGLE PHOTOS SHARED ALBUMS ·Whenever guests remember to upload.
RevealROLL CALL ·Straight away, at a set time, when the camera closes, or when you press reveal.GOOGLE PHOTOS SHARED ALBUMS ·Live: everyone sees uploads as they arrive.
QR code and signsROLL CALL ·A QR code and printable signs with your names, made for you.GOOGLE PHOTOS SHARED ALBUMS ·Make a QR code from the link yourself.
ModerationROLL CALL ·Automatic safety check; hide or delete any photo.GOOGLE PHOTOS SHARED ALBUMS ·You choose who can add; remove photos yourself.

Prices

Google Photos shared albums

Any size
Free

Roll Call

Up to 10 guests
Free
Up to 50 guests
$31.50
Up to 150 guests
$75.50

Roll Call prices here are for 24 shots each and a public gallery kept a year. Keeping it private adds $9. Up to 10 guests is free. Their prices as listed on 12 October 2026; they may have changed since.

When Google Photos shared albums is the better pick

  • Your event is small and the guests are organised enough to upload afterwards.
  • You want to spend nothing, whatever the size.
  • You want guests to add photos they took on other cameras too.

When Roll Call is the better pick

  • You want photos from everyone without chasing uploads afterwards.
  • You want a reveal instead of a live feed.
  • You want a limited roll so the gallery holds moments, not a hundred duplicates.

Questions

Can people without a Google account add to a shared album?

Google’s help says anyone with an album’s link can view it and add to it, if you allow adding. Check the album’s sharing options before you print the link.

Can I make a QR code for a Google Photos album?

Yes. Copy the album’s share link and paste it into any QR code generator. Test it from a phone that isn’t signed in to your account.

SOURCES

  • Google Photos Help: share photos and videos: support.google.com/photos/answer/6131416
  • Google Photos Help: shared album controls: support.google.com/photos/answer/9789702

Spotted something out of date? Tell us at hello@rollcall.events and we’ll fix it.

Read next

Try Roll Call free.

Up to 10 guests costs nothing. Set it up in about two minutes.

CREATE YOUR EVENT →