From link to first photo
| Gather | Google Photos | |
|---|---|---|
| Opening the link | Guests open your album in their browser, without a Gather account. | Anyone with a shared link can view the photos. A Google account is not required just to look. |
| Adding photos | Choose photos and videos from your device and upload. No guest sign-in or photo-library setup. | Contributing photos uses a signed-in Google account. Guests who aren’t signed in have an extra step before sharing. |
| Across devices | One fast, responsive web app on iPhone, Android, tablets and computers. Nothing to install. | Google Photos also has a web version as well as mobile apps. An app install isn’t always required; account sign-in is the key distinction. |
Google Photos web sharing guide ↗Google Photos adding photos to albums ↗Written by Gather · Official sources reviewed September 10, 2026.
Why choose Gather?
Custom album designs
Typography, colours, headers and photo layouts work together in each theme.
Keep the event moving
A fast album with no guest sign-in means less time helping people set up photo sharing and more time collecting what they captured.
Choose your hosting
Our $79 plan includes every managed theme and feature, with hosting and backups taken care of.