The short answer
Use a Google Photos album for casual sharing with people you know. Use GalleryLink when the photos are a client delivery: it gives you a branded gallery and full-resolution downloads, favourites for selections, and password protection on Pro, straight from your Google Drive.
Feature comparison
| Feature | GalleryLink | Google Photos |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Pro $5/mo or $50/yr | Free (uses your Google storage) |
| Branded gallery with your name and theme | ✓ | — |
| Password protection | Yes (Pro) | — |
| Client favorites / proofing | ✓ | Likes and comments only |
| Watermarks | Yes (Studio) | — |
| Sections for parts of the shoot | Yes, from subfolders | One album per link |
| Original quality guaranteed | Yes, files served from your Drive | Only if backed up in Original quality; Storage saver resizes to 16MP |
| Link can be reshared by anyone who has it | Yes, unless password protected | ✓ |
| Custom domain / studio page | Yes (Pro) | — |
| Updates when you add photos | Yes, synced with the Drive folder | Yes, when you add them to the album |
Where GalleryLink stands out
- • Looks like your business. Your theme, cover and name, not a consumer photo app.
- • Private when it needs to be. Password protection on Pro; a Google Photos link works for anyone who has it.
- • Selections built in. Clients save favourites and send you the list, instead of describing photos in a message.
- • Full quality. Files come from your Drive as you exported them, with no Storage saver resizing.
Where Google Photos may suit you
- • Free within your Google storage, and nothing to set up.
- • Familiar to almost every client, with likes and comments on each photo.
FAQ
Is a Google Photos shared album OK for client delivery?
It works, but it isn't designed for it: there's no password, no proofing, no branding, and anyone with the link can pass it on. For paid work, a client gallery in front of your Drive folder looks more professional and keeps more control.
Does Google Photos reduce quality?
Only if your photos were backed up with Storage saver, which resizes photos above 16MP to 16MP. In Original quality they're unchanged. GalleryLink serves files from your Drive exactly as you exported them.
Can I password-protect a Google Photos album?
No. Google Photos albums are shared by link. To make an album private again you have to turn link sharing off. GalleryLink galleries can have a password on Pro.
Should I use Google Drive or Google Photos for clients?
Drive keeps your exported files exactly as they are and organises shoots in folders, which is why GalleryLink builds on Drive. We compare the two in detail in our Drive vs Photos guide.
See GalleryLink for yourself
Paste a Google Drive folder link and share a beautiful gallery — free to start, no credit card.
Start freeCreate a galleryDisclosure: GalleryLink is our own product. Google Photos details are based on support.google.com/photos/answer/6131416 (Google Photos help pages as of October 2026); pricing and features change often — please verify on their site. Pro pricing referenced as $5/mo or $50/yr. We aim to represent Google Photos fairly; tell us if anything is out of date and we’ll correct it.