CVS Photo books are still on sale as of October 2026. The pitch is simple: build a book online, then pick it up at your local store the same day. Hardcover books cost roughly $40 at list price, and promo codes show up often.

The catch is the work. You choose every photo, place it on the page, and write every caption. If you'd rather have a book that builds itself from what you already posted, this guide covers seven alternatives, plus the cases where CVS is still the better pick.

What to look for in a CVS photo book alternative

• Who builds the pages? CVS gives you a template editor and a blank layout. Some services turn a social feed or a folder into a finished book with no design work.
• Where do your photos live? If a year of family life sits on Facebook or Instagram, a service that connects to it saves you from re-uploading hundreds of photos.
• Same-day pickup or shipping? CVS wins on speed for a small book. Most dedicated photo book services print to order and ship, which takes days.
• Size and page count. Drugstore books are usually 8x10 or 8.5x11. Check the maximum pages if you want a full-year album.
• Real price after discounts. Almost nobody sells a photo book at list price. Look for standing discounts, not just a launch coupon.

7 best CVS photo book alternatives in 2026

1. My Social Book

Best for: a yearly book that builds itself from Facebook, Instagram, or Dropbox

My Social Book connects to Facebook, to Instagram (a business account), or to Dropbox. It turns your posts into a finished, chronological book that reads like a journal of the year. Dates, captions, likes, and locations carry over. You don't pick the layout or drag a single photo.

It's been in business 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 in a 21 x 25 cm format (about 8.3 x 9.8 inches), hardcover or softcover. You preview every page before ordering.

Pick it if your photos already live on social media. Skip it if you need a book in your hands today. For that, CVS wins.

Pros:

• Automatic book creation from Facebook, Instagram, or Dropbox
• Keeps dates, captions, likes, and locations
• Affordable, with frequent discounts of 40% or more
• Preview every page, remove posts, change the cover

Cons:

• No same-day pickup. Production takes 2-5 business days, then shipping
• One source per book, so Facebook and Instagram photos need two books
• You can't reorder sections or rewrite captions

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

2. Walgreens Photo

Best for: the other drugstore with same-day pickup

Walgreens works almost the same way as CVS. You build the book yourself in a template editor and collect it in store. Hardcovers start higher, around $40. If you live closer to a Walgreens, it's a fair swap. It won't save you any layout time.

Pros:

• Same-day pickup at many stores
• Familiar drugstore convenience

Cons:

• Manual layout, like CVS
• Higher starting price for hardcover

3. Shutterfly

Best for: the widest range of sizes and formats

Shutterfly covers more sizes, covers, and add-ons than almost anyone. Uploads are manual, but an optional auto-layout tool can place photos for you. Sales run nearly every week, so list price means little.

Pros:

• Huge range of formats
• Optional auto-layout

Cons:

• Manual upload
• The editor pushes a lot of upsells

4. Mixbook

Best for: full creative control over every page

Mixbook has one of the best drag-and-drop editors around. Small softcovers start near $15, and premium lay-flat books cost much more. You'll spend real time on a large book. It does look designed when you finish.

Pros:

• Excellent manual editor
• Many sizes and paper types

Cons:

• Time-consuming for big books
• Manual upload

5. Snapfish

Best for: the lowest price on a standalone book

Snapfish is the budget pick if you're uploading by hand anyway. Small books start around $13 with deals. The editor feels dated and print quality is fine for a casual book. I wouldn't use it for a milestone gift.

Pros:

• Very low prices with frequent promo codes
• Many size and cover options

Cons:

• Dated editor
• Manual upload

6. Amazon Prints

Best for: a cheap hardcover with free slow shipping

Amazon Prints photo books start around $15 for a small hardcover. You upload and lay out pages yourself in a basic editor. It's good when price matters more than design flexibility.

Pros:

• Low starting price
• Free shipping option

Cons:

• Thin editor
• Manual upload and layout

7. Chatbooks

Best for: small books that build themselves over time

Chatbooks works from your camera roll or photos you add by hand and mails a small softcover on a schedule. It's hands-off and cheap per book. The format stays small, so it isn't a full-year hardcover. Pause the subscription if you don't want books piling up.

Pros:

• Connects to Instagram and your camera roll
• Affordable minis

Cons:

• Small format, limited customization
• The subscription can pile up books

CVS photo book alternatives comparison table

Related photo book comparisons

Still comparing? These cover other photo book brands people ask about.

• Walgreens photo book alternatives
• Costco photo book alternatives
• Shutterfly alternatives
• Mixbook alternatives
• Snapfish alternatives
• Photo books from Instagram
• Photo books from Facebook

Frequently asked questions

Does CVS still make photo books?

Yes. As of October 2026, CVS Photo lists custom photo books, including hardcovers with same-day pickup at participating stores. Sizes, prices, and promotions change, so check the current listing at cvs.com/photo before you order.

How much does a CVS photo book cost?

Reviewers cite about $40 for a 20-page 8.5 x 11 hardcover at list price, and lay-flat books cost more. Promo codes appear often, so the final price is usually lower. Check cvs.com/photo for current pricing.

Can CVS make a photo book from my Instagram or Facebook photos?

You can upload photos you've saved from your accounts. CVS doesn't connect to your feed and pull in dates, captions, or likes for you. You'd save the photos first, then build the book by hand.

What's faster, CVS or My Social Book?

CVS is faster to hold in your hands, since same-day pickup is possible. My Social Book is faster to make. It builds the whole book from your Facebook, Instagram, or Dropbox in minutes, then ships after 2-5 business days of production.

Can one book hold both Facebook and Instagram photos?

No. My Social Book uses one source per book. You can make books from Facebook AND Instagram, but each one is its own book.

Facts about competitors checked on October 12, 2026. Prices and features change; confirm on each company's site before ordering.

Create your book from Facebook, Instagram, or Dropbox