Are you planning to give your loved one a personalized photo book or calendar? You might be confused between Snapfish and Shutterfly. Both are reputable photo-sharing and printing services with great deals to offer.
But which one is better? Let’s assess both on different metrics in this detailed Snapfish vs Shutterfly comparison!
About Snapfish and Shutterfly
Snapfish and Shutterfly are two well-known online photo service providers for creating personalized products, including photo books, prints, calendars, cards, and home décor. While they mostly have similar offerings, some differences set them apart.
Snapfish
Snapfish is owned by Shutterfly and is headquartered in San Jose, California. The business was launched in 1999 by Rajil Kapoor, Bala Parthasarathy, Suneet Wadhwa, and Shripati Acharya. In 2005, the company grew rapidly and was acquired by Hewlett-Packard (HP). Later, in 2015, Snapfish was sold to District Photo.
This intuitive and user-friendly digital photo platform allows you to upload your images from different sources, like mobile phones, computers, and social media platforms. Once these images are successfully uploaded, you can use them to create a wide range of personalized products, from photo books and canvas prints to phone cases and mugs.
According to the available data, Snapfish’s peak revenue was $85.7M in 2023. The company has 267 employees with a revenue per employee ratio of $320,918.
Shutterfly
Shutterfly LLC. is headquartered in San Jose, California. The platform is popular for its custom photo printing services, allowing customers to create personalized products with their desired images.
The business was founded in 1999 by Dan Baum and Eva Manolis and is currently led by Sally Pofcher. It went public in 2006 but was then privatized again in 2019. Now, the company has multiple sub-brands, including the main Shutterfly photo gift business, TinyPrints, Snapfish, Spoonflower, Shutterfly Business Solutions, and Lifetouch.
How is Shutterfly different from the rest? The company distinguishes itself through its amazing design and customization tools that help users personalize items in great detail. The platform also features a wide array of templates, layouts, fonts, and backgrounds.
According to the data, the company’s operating results have strengthened yearly, with a revenue of $2.27 billion in 2023. It serves more than that. 10 million customers across all its brands.
Snapfish vs Shutterfly Comparison
Here is a detailed comparison of Snapfish and Shutterfly in various categories.
Pricing
Most of the products offered by both companies are similar. However, they are priced differently.
For instance, when it comes to prints, Snapfish charges $0.09 to $6.99 per print, depending on the size. The platform also runs frequent deals that help in reducing prices. For instance, customers who get 100 free prints per month only have to pay the shipping charges. In comparison, Shutterfly charges between $0.15 and $7.99 for these prints.
Similarly, the prices of photo books start at $16 at Snapfish. Shutterfly photo books are expensive and are usually priced at $24 or more. Every product comes with an add-on option that may increase your product price.
Home décor and gifts are available as well. At Snapfish, you can get a mug for around $13; a fleece blanket starts from $40, while canvas prints can be bought for $30 or more.
However, at Shutterfly, the same products are available for $18, $50, and $40.
After evaluating the prices, it is safe to conclude that Snapfish is comparatively cheaper and more budget-friendly than Shutterfly. However, although its rates are higher, Shutterfly offers more personalization and premium product materials.
Product Quality and Options
| Snapfish | Shutterfly | |
| Photo books | – Variety of templates for customization – Simple customization features to create photo books within a few minutes – Standard photo books with semi-gloss paper – Options for matte or glossy finishes at high prices – User-friendly mobile app – Simple and efficient desktop editor | – More sophisticated and broader options of templates – Advanced tools for easy fine-tuning – Premium themes designed by professionals – Matte, standard glossy, and satin paper finishes – You can print premium books on lay-flat or pearl shimmer paper – A highly functional and sleek mobile app. However, the best customization tools are available on the desktop. |
| Prints | – Good overall print quality – Decent color reproduction, but you may need some editing – Most products are easily delivered within five to seven days. | – Print quality is much more advanced and polished – Good color accuracy – The on-screen product is often very close to the final print – Multiple delivery methods |
| Gifts & custom | – Many customized gifts are available, from mugs, cushions, and blankets to tote bags and keychains – The platform provides a beginner-friendly editor to add personalized touches | – An extensive and premium collection of gift options is available at Shutterfly – You can get your hands on puzzles, mugs, and more. You can also get premium and luxury items. – The personalization tools are much more advanced than Snapfish – You can preview your products in 3D |
Shipping
Snapfish offers multiple shipping options. The Lowest Price delivery option provides an estimated delivery of up to 8 business days. If you want to receive your items before that, you can opt for Ground (6 days), Expedited (5 days), or Rush (4 days) as delivery plans. The last three options also allow you to track your package from the company’s fulfillment facility to your door. If you are on a tight budget, standard delivery may be most effective for you as it starts from $1.99 for small items.
A good feature of Snapfish is that it offers free shipping. These are often tied to promo codes accessible through websites or email or minimum order values. If you are a budget-conscious shopper, offers like these can significantly affect your overall expenses.
Shutterfly also offers five shipping methods to choose from. You can go for a Basic Economy plan that delivers your products within six to ten business days, or you can go for Standard Shipping to get items within five to seven business days.
Expedited, Rush, and Super Rush plans are also available. They offer deliveries in four to five, three to four, and one to two business days, respectively. Standard shipping for prints begins at around $2.99 and increases depending on the item and quantity.
Both companies ensure top-class packaging for their items. They use secure wrapping to keep fragile products safe during delivery.
Customer Service
Snapfish provides multiple ways for customers to contact their support team. You can check their website for shipping and order tracking articles to clear your concerns. Additionally, a 24/7 Live Chat option is available with a representative to serve you as well.
There is a downside, though. It does not currently offer phone support. So, this may be a bummer if you are a customer who likes to communicate directly with the support team.
When it comes to customer reviews for Snapfish’s support, they are mixed. Some users are quite satisfied with the resolution of their concerns. However, there are many that have reported slow responses with problems like refunds and replacements.
Shutterfly, on the other hand, provides more avenues for support. You can explore the website to find answers to your queries linked to your orders, promotions, photo books, accounts, and more. There is also 24/7 chat support available that you can access to get in touch with a representative.
Unlike with Snapfish, you can contact the Shutterfly team by email and phone. According to customers, the platform’s customer support team is generally responsive, friendly, and willing to resolve issues quickly.
Real Users Experiences
Here is what customers have to say about Snapfish. It has a 1.3 rating on TrustPilot.
Shutterfly has 1.4 stars on TrustPilot. Here are some of the reviews.
Final Verdict
While Snapfish is an affordable platform, the quality of its products, customer support, and product range are limited to those of Shutterfly. Both companies aim to help you achieve the best printed products for you and your loved ones.
However, if you have a constrained budget, we suggest you choose Snapfish. But if funds are not a problem, go for Shutterfly for a premium quality experience.
