Best Once Upon Alternatives in 2026
The top Once Upon alternatives are CEWE, Pixum and Hofmann: 15 photo book software our editors would look at instead of Once Upon, in our ranking order.
Once Upon: A collaborative photo book maker with automatic layouts and print ordering from $21. Where it falls short: no free plan for creating or ordering books.
Switching from Once Upon? For most photo book software buyers the best Once Upon alternative is CEWE, built for best all-around photo-book creation. On a budget, Walmart Photo starts at $3.96one-time. PastBook offers the most maximum book pages (500 pages).
Why People Look for a Once Upon Alternative
- No free plan for creating or ordering books
- Creation is limited to web, iOS, and Android apps
- Formats are limited to square hardcover and softcover books
- No free plan — 8 of the alternatives below have it
- No desktop app — 7 of the alternatives below have it
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallCEWE9.3
Best all-around photo-book creation
Visit CEWE - Lowest priceWalmart Photo7.6
Paid plans from $3.96one-time
Visit Walmart Photo - Best free optionCEWE9.3
Has a free plan (Once Upon has none)
Visit CEWE - Most maximum book pagesPastBook8.2
500 pages
Visit PastBook - Best for desktop appCEWE9.3
Desktop app (Once Upon: no)
Visit CEWE
All 15 Once Upon Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
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Best forBest all-around photo-book creation
- Better than Once Upon:
- Free plan
- Desktop app
- Editor score 9.3 vs 7.9
A flexible photo-book editor with free design tools and printed books from £8.99.
- PDF export
- Desktop app
- Mobile app
9.3/10★★★★★Visit CEWE -
Best forFeature-rich creation across every major platform
- Better than Once Upon:
- Free plan
- Desktop app
- Editor score 9.1 vs 7.9
A broad photo-book editor with automatic layouts, maps and print ordering across six platforms.
- PDF export
- Desktop app
- Mobile app
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Pixum -
Best forAffordable, mature full-platform creation
- Better than Once Upon:
- Desktop app
- Editor score 8.9 vs 7.9
A mature, affordable photo-book platform with flexible creation tools and print ordering.
- Desktop app
- Mobile app
- Web app
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Hofmann -
Best forBroad platform and integration coverage
- Better than Once Upon:
- Desktop app
- Editor score 8.8 vs 7.9
A versatile photo book editor with broad platform coverage and printed ordering.
- Desktop app
- Mobile app
- Web app
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Albelli -
Best forFree desktop editing with print controls
- Better than Once Upon:
- Free plan
- Desktop app
- Maximum book pages: 440 pages vs 300 pages
A capable offline desktop editor with flexible layouts and print ordering.
- PDF export
- Desktop app
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Blurb -
Best forFlexible web-based book design
- Better than Once Upon:
- Free plan
- Maximum book pages: 400 pages vs 300 pages
- Editor score 8.6 vs 7.9
A flexible web-based photo-book editor with automated design options and printed ordering.
- Mobile app
- Web app
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Mixbook -
Best forAI-assisted travel and memory books
- Better than Once Upon:
- Free plan
- Maximum book pages: 349 pages vs 300 pages
- Editor score 8.5 vs 7.9
A flexible choice for turning travel photos and shared albums into printed keepsakes.
- Mobile app
- Web app
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Journi -
Best forHigh-end multi-device books
- Better than Once Upon:
- Free plan
- Desktop app
- Editor score 8.4 vs 7.9
A flexible multi-device photo-book editor with premium layflat printing.
- Desktop app
- Mobile app
- Web app
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Saal Digital -
Best forRecurring monthly memory books
- Better than Once Upon:
- Maximum book pages: 366 pages vs 300 pages
- Editor score 8.3 vs 7.9
A flexible photo-book service with strong recurring-book options and print delivery.
- Mobile app
- Web app
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Chatbooks -
Best forAutomatic books from cloud photo sources
- Better than Once Upon:
- Free plan
- Maximum book pages: 500 pages vs 300 pages
- Editor score 8.2 vs 7.9
PastBook automates photo selection and layouts, with printed books starting at $19.99.
- Mobile app
- Web app
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit PastBook -
Best forCross-device automated photo books
- Better than Once Upon:
- Desktop app
- Editor score 8.1 vs 7.9
A cross-device photo-book maker with automated layouts and printed-book ordering.
- Desktop app
- Mobile app
- Web app
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Photobox -
Best forFast mobile-first creative books
- Better than Once Upon:
- Free plan
- Editor score 8.0 vs 7.9
A mobile-first photo-book creator with automatic design tools and 36-page books.
- Mobile app
- Web app
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Popsa -
Best forAffordable mainstream photo books
An affordable photo-book maker with flexible editing, Autofill, and mobile ordering.
- Mobile app
- Web app
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Snapfish -
Best forLow-cost local pickup and ordering
A low-cost photo-book service with flexible editing and convenient local pickup.
- Mobile app
- Web app
7.7/10★★★★☆Try Walgreens Photo -
Best forLowest-cost basic photo books
A low-cost photo book maker with automatic layouts and broad format choices.
- Mobile app
- Web app
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Walmart Photo
Once Upon Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Once Upon?
CEWE: #1 in our Photo Book Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.3 out of 10. A flexible photo-book editor with free design tools and printed books from £8.99.
Is there a free alternative to Once Upon?
Yes. CEWE, Pixum, Blurb BookWright, Mixbook and Journi have a free plan or a free tier (8 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for Once Upon alternatives?
No free plan for creating or ordering books; Creation is limited to web, iOS, and Android apps; Formats are limited to square hardcover and softcover books.
Which Once Upon alternative has the most maximum book pages?
PastBook, with 500 pages.
How do I switch from Once Upon?
Export your data from Once Upon (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Once Upon.
How to Switch from Once Upon
- Export your data from Once Upon (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Once Upon.
Once Upon vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Print ordering | Automatic layouts | Web app | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Once Upon | No | $21 one-time | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.9 |
| 1 | CEWE | Yes | £8.99/unit one-time | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.3 |
| 2 | Pixum | Yes | £9.95 one-time | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.1 |
| 3 | Hofmann | No | €11.99/unit one-time | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.9 |
| 4 | Albelli | No | €9.99 one-time | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.8 |
| 5 | Blurb BookWright | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 8.7 | |
| 6 | Mixbook | Yes | $14.99/unit one-time | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.6 |
| 7 | Journi | Yes | $19.99 one-time | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.5 |
| 8 | Saal Digital | Yes | $50 one-time | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.4 |
| 9 | Chatbooks | No | $10/unit/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.3 |
| 10 | PastBook | Yes | $19.99 one-time | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.2 |
| 11 | Photobox | No | £12.99 one-time | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.1 |
| 12 | Popsa | Yes | $22 one-time | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.0 |
| 13 | Snapfish | No | $15.99 one-time | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.8 |
| 14 | Walgreens Photo | $9.99 one-time | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.7 | |
| 15 | Walmart Photo | $3.96one-time | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.6 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update