Mpix and Shutterfly both print photo books, but they aren't aimed at the same buyer. Mpix grew out of a photo lab and sells fewer, simpler products. Shutterfly sells almost anything you can print a picture on, and its photo book menu is long.

This guide compares price, paper, editor, page limits, and shipping. You get a plain verdict at the end. We also cover one option for people whose photos already live on Facebook, Instagram, or Dropbox.

Mpix vs Shutterfly: the short verdict

• Pick Mpix if you want a layflat book with a choice of papers and a lab-style finish, and you're fine paying more for the hardcover.
• Pick Shutterfly if you want the lowest entry price, more sizes, or a big range of cover and paper tiers, and you'll wait for a sale.
• Pick neither if the real job is turning a year of social posts into a book without hours of layout.

What to look for in a photo book service

• Real price after discounts -- list prices rarely match what people pay at checkout.
• Page limits and extra page cost -- a 20-page base book is thin for a family year.
• Paper and binding -- layflat shows spreads cleanly, but it can cost much more.
• Photo source -- are your photos on your phone, or on Facebook and Instagram?
• Time you'll spend -- hand layout takes hours. Auto layout takes minutes.

Price

Shutterfly lists an 8x8 softcover from $24.98 and an 8x8 glossy hardcover from $39.98, both with 20 pages. Extra pages run about $1.09 on the softcover and $1.84 on the hardcover. Its layflat books start much higher. A standard 10x10 layflat lists at $96.23, and the deluxe tier at $136.23.

Mpix lists its softcover from $26.99 with layflat pages built in. The premium hardcover starts at $44.99, and the custom cover version at $64.99. So Mpix costs more at the hardcover level, but layflat pages come with both of its main lines.

Both run constant sales. On October 26, 2026, Mpix advertised 40% off books through October 27. Shutterfly advertised up to 50% off, plus an extra code for photo books. Check the cart total before you decide. The headline price tells you little.

Paper, covers, and print quality

Mpix lets you pick the paper on its hardcover lines: semi-gloss, glossy, matte book stock, or deep matte. The covers are linen in ten colors, with optional debossing and a dust jacket. The softcover offers matte book stock only. Reviewers tend to like Mpix color on prints, though one well-known review called its book construction average.

Shutterfly sorts by tier instead. Standard books use matte, fine-coated paper. Standard layflat uses hinged binding. Deluxe layflat adds thicker satin paper. You can also add leather covers, metallic accents, and six-color printing. For a wedding or a milestone gift, that range is a real plus. For a plain snapshot book, you won't use most of it.

Editor and design time

Mpix has a drag-and-drop online builder with captions, plus a phone app. Some users find it slow, so test it with a small book first.

Shutterfly has more templates, stickers, and embellishments, and an optional autofill. It also offers a free designer service where a designer builds the book and you review it. That one is useful if you hate layout. Expect more upsell prompts along the way.

Sizes and page limits

Mpix hardcovers come in 5x5, 8x8, 10x10, 12x12, and two rectangle sizes, from 20 to 100 pages. Shutterfly offers 8x8, 8x11, 10x10, 11x8, 11x14, and 12x12, up to 111 pages on standard and layflat books. Shutterfly also sells flush mount albums, which are thick, board-mounted pages.

Shipping

Mpix says books ship in 1 to 2 business days, then transit time depends on the method you choose. It offers free standard shipping above $45, with conditions. Shutterfly currently runs free shipping above $99 with a code. Neither promises a date until you enter your zip code, so order early for gifts.

Mpix vs Shutterfly: which one should you pick?

• Layflat at a fair price: Mpix. Layflat is built into both main lines.
• Lowest entry price: Shutterfly's softcover, once a sale is running.
• More sizes and longer books: Shutterfly, up to 111 pages.
• Choice of paper finish: Mpix on its hardcover lines.
• Someone else builds it: Shutterfly, through its designer service.

Both ask you to place photos yourself. If your pictures already sit on social media, that's the gap the next option fills.

If your photos already live on Facebook, Instagram, or Dropbox

My Social Book works differently. You connect your Facebook, Instagram (professional account), or Dropbox, and the service builds a full photo book automatically. Your content lands in chronological order, like a journal of the year, with the original dates, captions, likes, and locations. It's one source per book. If you want both, you make separate books from Facebook AND Instagram.

You preview every page before ordering. You can add or remove content, delete a post, and change the cover. You can't rearrange sections or rewrite captions, so it isn't the pick for a custom-designed wedding album. Books run from 25 to 500 pages, in hardcover or softcover, at 21 x 25 cm (about 8.3 x 9.8 inches). Pricing is affordable, with frequent discounts of 40% or more. Shipping is charged separately, and a PDF version is optional. Production takes 2 to 5 business days, then delivery takes 3 to 5 business days express or 7 to 14 standard in the US.

My Social Book has been in business for 12 years and has printed more than 700,000 books. It holds a Trustpilot TrustScore 4.7 / 5 (2,716 reviews, October 2026).

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

Mpix vs Shutterfly vs My Social Book comparison table

Related photo book comparisons

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• Snapfish vs Shutterfly
• Best photo book apps
• Best photo book from Instagram
• Make a book from Facebook

Frequently asked questions

Is Mpix or Shutterfly cheaper?

Shutterfly is cheaper at the hardcover level. Its 8x8 hardcover lists from $39.98, while Mpix's premium hardcover starts at $44.99. Softcovers are almost level at about $25. Both run frequent sales, so compare cart totals on the day you order.

Does Mpix make layflat photo books?

Yes. Mpix lists layflat pages on both its premium softcover and premium hardcover. Shutterfly sells layflat as a separate tier, and a 10x10 standard layflat lists at $96.23.

Which has more page options, Mpix or Shutterfly?

Shutterfly goes up to 111 pages on standard and layflat books. Mpix hardcovers run from 20 to 100 pages, added two at a time. Both start at 20 pages.

How fast does each one ship?

Mpix says books ship in 1 to 2 business days, then shipping time depends on the method. Shutterfly shows delivery options and dates at checkout. Neither can promise a date before you enter your zip code.

Is there a faster way to make a book from social media?

Yes. My Social Book builds a book automatically from your Facebook, Instagram, or Dropbox, in chronological order with dates, captions, likes, and locations kept. You preview and edit before ordering, with no manual layout.

Facts about competitors checked on October 26, 2026. Prices and features change; confirm on each company's site before ordering.

Create your book from Facebook, Instagram, or Dropbox