FreePrints Photobooks, the app from PlanetArt, gives you one standard softcover photo book a month. You pay shipping, which its FAQ lists as $7.99 flat per order. That is hard to beat for a first book. So why look elsewhere? Because the price is the strong part. The layout is still on you.

This guide covers what FreePrints Photobooks offers in 2026, what to look for if you want something different, and seven services to compare. One of them builds the whole book for you if your photos live on Facebook, Instagram, or Dropbox.

First: what does FreePrints Photobooks actually offer?

The free book is a 5x7 or 6x6 softcover with up to 20 pages. There's no subscription and no commitment. You pay for extra pages, hardcovers, and larger sizes. Its site lists premium hardcovers up to 12x12 but doesn't show every price, so check the app before you order.

The FAQ says books go up to 160 pages. The layflat hardcover tops out at 90. Standard delivery takes 8-10 days, or 6-8 days with expedited shipping.

The editor is manual. You tap a page, pick a layout for up to 6 photos, and fill it. We found no mention of automatic book building on its site. That's the trade for a free book. It suits a short book from a few photos. It gets slow with a whole year.

What to look for in a FreePrints Photobooks alternative

• Where do the photos come from? Phone camera roll only, or a direct link to Facebook, Instagram, or Dropbox. A direct link saves hours.
• Automatic book or manual layout? Decide if you want more control or less work.
• Size and page count. A 20-page softcover is a keepsake. A year needs more pages.
• Real cost with shipping. A free book still has shipping. Add it to every price you compare.
• Print and binding quality. Check paper, cover options, and layflat before you order.

7 best FreePrints Photobooks alternatives in 2026

1. My Social Book

Best for: turning a year of Facebook or Instagram posts, or a Dropbox folder, into a book without building pages

My Social Book connects to your account and builds the book for you. Posts run in order, like a journal of the year. Dates, captions, likes, and locations carry over. You preview every page, remove posts you don't want, and change the cover.

It has been around for 12 years and has printed more than 700,000 books. Trustpilot TrustScore 4.7 / 5 (2,716 reviews, October 2026). Books run 25 to 500 pages, about 8.3 x 9.8 inches, hardcover or softcover.

Pick it if your photos are already posted. Skip it if you want a small book for the lowest possible cost. FreePrints is better there.

Pros:

• Builds the book automatically from Facebook, Instagram, or Dropbox
• Keeps dates, captions, likes, and locations
• Affordable, with frequent discounts of 40% or more

Cons:

• One source per book, so Facebook and Instagram mean two books
• You can't reorder sections or edit captions
• Production takes 2-5 business days, plus shipping

See your book in minutes -- start from Facebook, Instagram, or Dropbox

2. Shutterfly

Best for: the widest range of sizes, covers, and gift extras

Shutterfly offers manual layout, an auto-fill option, and lots of formats. Discounts are frequent, so the starting price is rarely what you pay. The editor can push upsells.

Pros:

• Huge range of sizes and covers
• Frequent promotions

Cons:

• Manual upload for most books
• Upsells clutter the checkout

3. Mixbook

Best for: full creative control over every page

Mixbook has one of the strongest drag-and-drop editors in the category, starting around $15. If FreePrints layouts feel tight, this is the upgrade. It costs you more time.

Pros:

• Excellent manual editor
• Many paper and size options

Cons:

• Manual upload
• Slow for a big book

4. Snapfish

Best for: a low price and a familiar editor

Snapfish prices start low and sales go lower. It's the closest match to FreePrints on cost. The editor is dated, and you place photos yourself.

Pros:

• Low prices with frequent sales
• Many sizes and covers

Cons:

• Dated editor
• Manual upload

5. Chatbooks

Best for: small books that build themselves from Instagram

Chatbooks pulls from your camera roll and mails small softcover books on a schedule. It's hands-off. The format stays small, and the subscription keeps going until you pause it.

Pros:

• Connects to Instagram
• Affordable minis

Cons:

• Small format, limited customization
• Recurring billing

6. Walmart Photo

Best for: same-day store pickup

Walmart Photo lists books from 5x7 to 12x12 and offers same-day pickup in many stores. The editor is basic. If you need a book this week, it's the practical pick.

Pros:

• Same-day pickup at many stores
• Low starting prices

Cons:

• Manual upload
• Basic templates

7. Amazon Photos

Best for: Prime members who already back up photos there

You can build a book straight from your Amazon Photos library, with no separate upload. The product is basic. The convenience is real if your photos already live there.

Pros:

• Builds from your Amazon library
• Storage included with Prime

Cons:

• Fewer design options
• Less useful outside Amazon

FreePrints Photobooks alternatives comparison table

Related photo book comparisons

Still comparing? These cover other photo book brands people search for.

• Walmart photo book alternatives
• Shutterfly alternatives
• Mixbook alternatives
• Snapfish alternatives
• Chatbooks alternatives
• Best photo book apps
• Photo books from Instagram

Frequently asked questions

Is the FreePrints Photobooks book really free?

The book is free, but shipping isn't. The FAQ lists a flat $7.99 per order. The free book is a 5x7 or 6x6 softcover with up to 20 pages. Extra pages, hardcovers, and larger sizes cost more.

How many pages can a FreePrints photo book have?

Books start at 20 pages and go up to 160, according to its FAQ. The layflat hardcover is limited to 90 pages. Pages beyond 20 are paid.

How long does FreePrints Photobooks shipping take?

Its FAQ gives 8-10 days for standard shipping and 6-8 days with expedited shipping. Plan ahead if the book is a gift.

Does FreePrints build the book for me?

We found no mention of automatic book building on its site. The FAQ describes picking a layout for each page yourself. My Social Book builds the book for you from Facebook, Instagram, or Dropbox.

Is My Social Book cheaper than FreePrints Photobooks?

No, not for one small book. A free monthly softcover is hard to match. My Social Book is affordable, with frequent discounts of 40% or more, and shipping is extra. Its value is saved time on larger books.

Facts about competitors checked on October 19, 2026. Prices and features change; confirm on each company's site before ordering.

Create your book from Facebook, Instagram, or Dropbox