Photo Mode vs Movie Mode: Which Should You Choose?
When you create a story in ShareGreet you choose between Photo mode and Movie mode. They produce different results and use credits differently.
Photo mode
Photo mode builds your story from illustrated still scenes, with narration and captions. It is quick and works well for most greetings. New accounts get free generations that can be used in Photo mode.
Movie mode
Movie mode uses real video animation, so the scenes move. It costs 2 credits per second, and it does not use your free generations. Use it for the occasions where you want a showstopper.
Which should you pick?
- Photo mode: everyday greetings, large families, anything you want to send quickly or often.
- Movie mode: big birthdays, anniversaries, festivals, or a gift you want people to remember.
How credits work, in plain terms
- New accounts get free generations, which apply to Photo mode.
- Photo mode stories cost credits once your free generations are used. Longer stories cost more than shorter ones.
- Movie mode costs 2 credits per second of video, so a longer movie costs more.
Check the Get Credits screen in the app for current pack pricing.
A sensible approach
- Draft the script and review it first. It is free to read and edit before you generate.
- Generate in Photo mode for everyday greetings.
- Choose Movie mode only for the one or two messages a year that deserve it.
Using your own photos
In either mode, you can upload your own photo or short video for any scene while reviewing the script. Real images add a personal touch that generated scenes cannot.
How length and mode combine
You also choose how long the story is: 5, 10, 15, 45 or 60 seconds. In Photo mode, a longer story means more scenes. In Movie mode, the cost scales with length: a 10-second movie costs 20 credits, and a 15-second movie costs 30. The credit cost is shown on the New Story screen before you generate.
Which mode for which message
| Message | Suggested mode | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday birthday wish | Photo | Quick, and works well with free generations |
| Festival greeting to many relatives | Photo | Easy to make one per person |
| Big birthday or milestone | Movie | Moving scenes feel like an event |
| A gift you want kept | Movie | Worth the extra credits |
| A message with your own photos | Photo | Your real images are the star |
What stays the same in both
- You describe what you want to say, and review the script before generating.
- You choose the narration language and a visual style.
- You get a shareable link that plays in a browser, with no install for the viewer.
A tip for saving credits
Use Photo mode to test a prompt, then move to Movie mode only when you are happy with the script. Changing the wording before generation costs nothing, while regenerating a long movie does.
Tip: review the script first
Before anything is generated you can read and edit the script. This is especially useful before Movie mode, since it is the more expensive option. See ten prompt examples for how to write a good one.
Frequently asked questions
Does Movie mode use free generations?
No. Movie mode uses credits only.
Can I add my own photo in Photo mode?
Yes. Upload your own photo or video for any scene during script review.
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