The short answer
Both services let guests text photos to a number and show them live. Pick PhotoStream.Live for video, custom branding and the lowest price for a single event. Pick TacBoard if you want a gallery that never expires, a number that collects photos for weeks before and after the event, or a published monthly plan.
- TacBoard price
- $49 one time (QR code), $159 one time (text number + QR code), or $99/month (always-on number, unlimited events)
- PhotoStream.Live price
- Standard $49, Complete $89 (per event, USD)
- Text-message uploads
- TacBoard: yes (US and Canada). PhotoStream.Live: yes, mms number on both packages (us and canada).
- Photos kept
- TacBoard: gallery does not expire. PhotoStream.Live: 30 days (Standard) or 1 year (Complete)
At a glance
| TacBoard | PhotoStream.Live | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $49 one time (QR code), $159 one time (text number + QR code), or $99/month (always-on number, unlimited events) | Standard $49, Complete $89 (per event, USD) |
| Free plan or trial | No free plan. A free demo lets you text a photo and see it on a live stream (try it). | Not listed on its site |
| How guests send photos | Text the event's own number, or scan a QR code. No app. | QR code in the browser, plus a dedicated MMS number (US and Canada). No app. |
| Text-message (SMS/MMS) uploads | Yes, US and Canada ($159 and monthly plans) | Yes, MMS number on both packages (US and Canada) |
| Guests and photos | Unlimited on every plan | See their plan details |
| Video | No. Photos and text messages only. | Photos, videos and GIFs |
| Live slideshow | Live stream on any screen via a laptop, with photos you preload | Live stream for up to 3 days (Standard) or 10 days (Complete), with layout and timing controls |
| How long photos are kept | Gallery does not expire. Number active until 30 days after the event. | 30 days (Standard) or 1 year (Complete) |
| Moderation | Automatic filter on every plan. Flagged items wait in a review queue. Block senders. | Not included on Standard. AI and manual pre-approval on Complete. |
| Branding | 18 gallery themes and your own cover photo | Custom title, logo, background and accent color on Complete |
| Plan for venues and repeat events | $99/month, unlimited events | Monthly subscriptions and multi-event discounts by contacting them |
PhotoStream.Live details come from photostream.live/pricing as published on October 18, 2026. Plans change, so check their site before you buy. If anything here is out of date, email [email protected] and we will correct it.
See TacBoard's live stream for yourself before you decide. The demo is free and takes a minute.
Try TacBoard freeWhere PhotoStream.Live is the better choice
- Lower price with texting. PhotoStream.Live includes an MMS number on its $49 and $89 packages. TacBoard's text plan is $159.
- Video and GIFs.
- Custom logo and colors on the stream, and display layout controls.
- Pre-approval moderation on Complete.
Where TacBoard is the better choice
- Photos you keep. PhotoStream.Live keeps photos for 30 days on Standard and 1 year on Complete. TacBoard's gallery does not expire.
- The number stays on longer. PhotoStream.Live's number accepts posts from 2 hours before the stream until 24 hours after it ends. TacBoard's number is active from purchase (up to 12 months ahead) until 30 days after the event, so guests can send throwbacks for weeks before and stragglers afterwards.
- Moderation on every plan. TacBoard's content filter and review queue are included at every price.
- A published monthly price. TacBoard's Unlimited plan is $99/month on its pricing page. PhotoStream.Live quotes subscriptions on request.
Why texting matters for some crowds
QR codes work well for young, phone-confident crowds. At weddings, memorials, awards dinners and reunions, a meaningful share of guests are older, distracted or simply will not open a camera app to scan a code at a dinner table. Almost every one of them knows how to text a photo.
TacBoard's $159 plan gives the event its own phone number and a QR code, so each guest can use whichever is easier. The first time someone texts, TacBoard asks for their name and labels their photos with it.
How to choose
- Will a lot of your guests be over 60, or not phone-savvy? Choose a service with text-message uploads.
- Do you need video? TacBoard does not accept video uploads, so choose a service that does.
- How long do you want the photos? Check each service's deletion date. TacBoard's gallery does not expire.
- Is the big screen the point? If the live slideshow is the centerpiece of the event, test it with Try TacBoard or the other service's demo at the venue.
- Running more than a few events a year? Compare monthly plans. TacBoard's is $99/month.
Frequently asked questions
Is TacBoard cheaper than PhotoStream.Live?
TacBoard costs $49 for a QR code event, $159 for an event with its own text number, or $99/month for unlimited events. PhotoStream.Live: Standard $49, Complete $89 (per event, USD)
Does PhotoStream.Live let guests text photos?
Yes, MMS number on both packages (US and Canada). TacBoard does, in the US and Canada, on its $159 and monthly plans.
Does TacBoard support video?
TacBoard collects photos and short text messages. It does not accept video uploads.
How long does TacBoard keep photos?
Your event number accepts texts until 30 days after the event date. The gallery itself does not expire: you can view, share and download it for as long as you like.
Last reviewed by the TacBoard team.