Once a nostalgic relic from wedding corners and shopping mall hallways, the photo booth has been reborn — with AI, augmented reality, and social media sharing baked right in.
Photobooth apps do more than snap funny pictures. They help retailers enhance their customer journeys and marketing campaigns, help craft unforgettable memories for event organizers, and boost user-generated content for brand recognition. They enhance engagement, promote branding, and often go viral.
Сhoosing the right photo booth solution in 2025 is about aligning your needs with the right features: AR filters, DSLR camera support, iPad compatibility, real-time sharing, or even AI-powered personalization.
This guide will walk you through the five best photobooth software solutions in 2025, reviewing options for every setup, from professional DSLR programs and iPad-friendly apps to the most advanced AI photo booth software. Let’s start with the basics.
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TL;DR:
- Modern photobooths combine special hardware and software for a comprehensive experience;
- Top 5 photobooth apps include Banuba Face AR SDK, DSLR Booth, Simple Booth, SparkBooth, and Lumabooth.
- Key factors in choosing the most fitting photo booth software include audience, customizability, feature set, platform compatibility, and cost.
What is a Photo Booth?
Modern setups are a synergy of hardware and photobooth camera apps. They are software-first solutions for instant photo booth photos widely used for:
- Events (weddings, conferences, trade shows, corporate events);
- Retail (in-store activations, shopping malls, product launches);
- Marketing (brand launches, UGC campaigns, offline events);
- Entertainment (theme parks, museums, malls, cinemas, etc.).
So, what is a photobooth app? It is software designed to turn practically any device with a camera (tablet, computer, phone, or DSLR setup) into a complete, interactive photo booth. Unlike traditional setups, these apps focus on ease of use, customization, and versatility.
Many modern photobooth apps come with:
- Touchscreen-friendly interfaces;
- Cloud-based and social media photo sharing;
- AR filters and effects;
- Analytics dashboards;
- Customization tools for branding.
Modern photobooth camera apps blend photography with AR effects, AI-powered personalization, beauty filters, GIF generation, and instant social media sharing.
Once launched, they help you set up your digital photo booth with features like:
- Timer settings for the camera;
- Picture frame templates;
- Filter selection;
- Custom overlays;
- Options to print, share, or download photos.
Top 5 Photobooth Programs in 2025
Choosing a software photobooth solution in 2025 depends on what kind of experience you want to deliver. Are you going for slick branding? Viral social media moments? A simple way to take photos at events? All of the above?
Here are the five standout tools this year, each catering to a different need. Let’s start with the most advanced one.
Banuba AR Photo Booth – Best for AI & Augmented Reality Experiences
Banuba’s AI Photo Booth Software delivers if you aim to impress and engage. It doesn’t just take photos; it transforms them with AI-powered real-time AR overlays, beautification, skin smoothing, and precise face tracking.
Key features:
- Cross-platform compatibility: iOS & Android tablets, desktop computers, laptops, etc.;
- Web-based solution with no app download or installation required;
- Full customization — from photobooth interface to tailored overlays and effects;
- 1000+ filter options and multiple effects overlay;
- Multi-face tracking with up to 16 people with effects in one frame;
- Touch-based controls with a touchless mode available;
- Custom AR gamification and triggers development.
Banuba’s AR Photo Booth is a top choice for shopping malls, mirrors, pop-up stores, experiential events, and brand activations. It can act as a selfie or mirror photo booth software to promote your new product line launch or let people check in at your store and share their customer journey on social media.
Aside from increased engagement and UGC flow, this photobooth enhancer improves the shares per session and event ROI. Banuba can turn any screen into an interactive selfie mirror for events, resulting in either a sale or a brand promotion.
Brands like Océane have used Banuba to increase engagement and help customers choose products through shade-matching tools. As a result, their add-to-cart rate skyrocketed to 1000% of the industry average.
DSLR Booth – Best DSLR Photo Booth Software for Professionals
DSLR Booth is built for photographers who demand precision, image quality, and hardware integration. Designed to work seamlessly with professional DSLR cameras, it transforms event photography into an efficient and branded photo booth operation.
Key features:
- Full DSLR camera control with live preview;
- Built-in layout editor and screen customizer;
- Instant printing support with DSLR-quality output;
- Green screen background replacement;
- Photos, GIFs, Boomerangs, Videos;
- Photo booth software for Windows.
This photo booth software for Sony, Nikon, Canon cameras, GoPro, and webcam is not built with casual users in mind. There’s no AR or AI functionality, and the UI might feel outdated for those accustomed to modern mobile apps. But if your workflow is camera-first and you care deeply about printed output, it gets the job done.
It’s the photobooth program you’d find at high-end weddings or corporate galas. Users often praise its reliability and output quality, particularly when paired with good lighting and pro gear.
It’s an excellent choice for photo booth rental companies, professional photographers, and event organizers who are already working with DSLR setups and have all the equipment. You’ll require a camera, a Windows PC to install the software, and a stand or tripod; a printer is optional, depending on your plans.
The price is $50 per month.
Simple Booth – Best iPad Photo Booth App for DIY Setups
Simple Booth lives up to its name. It’s a go-to DIY photo booth software that lets users launch a stylish and functional booth experience straight from an iPad. Everything about it is optimized for simplicity and visual appeal.
Key features:
- Clean, user-friendly interface ideal for touchscreens;
- Real-time photo previews with filters and visual effects;
- Built-in cloud galleries and share via e-mail and text (U.S. only);
- Branded overlay creation for small-scale events;
- AirPrint support for instant photo booth pics.
What users love is that it’s easy to set up without any technical knowledge. Plug in an iPad, customize a few things, and have a working booth for a party or pop-up.
However, it’s not designed for more advanced use cases. You won’t find AR filters or AI face tracking. It’s best suited for casual or personal setups where ease of use is the top priority.
Great for DIY events, brand photo moments at local stores, or birthday parties where you want a modern touch without heavy lifting. The app costs $99 and is a one-time purchase.
For a more professional approach, Simple Booth offers Halo - a combination of hardware and software photobooth solution starting at $99 per month. The price for Halo hardware starts at $1.490.
LumaBooth – Best All-in-One Software for Windows/iPad with Video Options
LumaBooth offers an affordable, feature-packed option for event hosts who want something more dynamic than basic photo capture. It’s a photo booth software for Mac, iPad, and iPhone that supports stills, GIFs, Boomerangs, and videos.
Key features:
- Multi-format capture: photos, GIFs, Boomerangs, videos;
- Direct email, AirDrop, Instagram, QR code, SMS sharing;
- Template editor for photo layouts and branding;
- Image and video overlays;
- Green screen and background removal.
Users often mention it as a “budget hero.” It delivers value at a cost of only $20 per month. That said, the interface isn’t the sleekest, and there are no built-in AR effects or AI-driven personalization.
Still, for small business owners or freelance event planners, it’s a practical tool that balances functionality and price well. Best suited for mid-sized events and multi-format booths that need to offer more than static photo prints.
Sparkbooth – Best Budget-Friendly Photo Booth App for Laptops
Sparkbooth has carved out its niche as a go-to solution for users who want a simple, affordable photo booth setup without complex hardware or learning curves. This photo booth app for Windows and macOS turns your laptop, PC, and webcam into a fully functioning booth — ideal for school dances, birthday parties, weddings, or small business activations.
Key features:
- Built-in photo layouts: strips, collages, and square formats;
- Custom welcome screens and branded themes;
- Instant print and photo saving to local folders;
- Guest prompting features: countdown timers, overlays, sound cues;
- Social media sharing integrations (Facebook, Twitter, SMS, email);
- Compatible with DSLR (optional), webcam, or virtual camera setups.
One-time licensing is available ($149 for macOS and Windows; $189 for DSLR), which makes it budget-friendly and scalable for seasonal or one-off events. And while it lacks AI, AR, or modern UI polish, Sparkbooth gets the job done for thousands of small event organizers and hobbyists.
Key Factors When Choosing Photo Booth Software in 2025
Not all photo booths are built for the same crowd or goals. Choosing the right photobooth software means knowing what truly matters to your setup. Here are key factors to consider:
Audience
Are you catering to casual partygoers, marketing teams, or event photographers? A DIY event booth needs simplicity and speed. A corporate activation needs branding, analytics, and AR and AI wow-factor.
Customization
The logo and full-scale interface customization are not vital for private parties and individuals. However, they are essential for SMEs, brands, and professional event hosts.
Look for tools to control visuals and stick to your brand identity. If you need AR Japan or Korean photobooth filters for a themed event, you’d better have a chance to develop them. Look for a solution that adds a note of personalization to every event you throw.
Features
Do you need static photos, or do you want Boomerangs, videos, green screens, or full-on AR face filters? Do you need a photo booth editor app or a simple camera control interface? Besides, AI-powered beautification and multi-face tracking aren’t gimmicks anymore. They often make an experience shareable, and they'll help you get the best photo booth pictures.
Platform
Your available hardware will heavily influence the best-fit app. The solution's versatility matters, especially if you plan to gradually scale up your business. Browser-based applications are a win-win choice. You don't have to search for tailored photo booth software for PC, webcam, Surface Pro, or macOS.
Just open any browser — no downloading and installing. Just make sure your photo booth is connected to stable WiFi.
Budget
From one-time licenses like Sparkbooth to enterprise solutions like Banuba, pricing models vary. Know if you're after a free photobooth app for iPad, a monthly subscription, or a pay-once setup. The right pricing plan should match your scale and your frequency of use.
Conclusion
A full-scale brand activation or a loud party — there’s a photo booth solution just for you:
- Banuba Face AR SDK is the most advanced, AR-driven choice for brands and agencies that want high engagement, full customization, and seamless deployment across any device. It’s the only one on this list that delivers AI, gamification, and true face-tracking magic in real-time. If you're planning a campaign, launch, or in-store experience in 2025, this tool turns heads and boosts ROI.
- DSLR Booth is for the pros. If you’re already using high-end camera gear and want total control over output quality and templates, it delivers exactly that — no frills, just rock-solid performance.
- Simple Booth works best for low-tech, high-style events. It’s perfect for DIYers and iPad lovers who want something visually polished and social-media-ready.
- LumaBooth is your affordable iPad app. It works well for photo + video formats and offers a surprising amount of functionality for the price — ideal for freelancers and small business events.
- Sparkbooth makes it easy for anyone with a laptop to launch a photo booth without fuss. It’s simple, cost-effective, and beloved by educators, hobbyists, and community event organizers.
In 2025, the best photobooth software isn’t just about capturing moments; it’s about creating branded experiences, encouraging shares, and turning a screen into a stage. And on that front, Banuba’s AR Photo Booth stands ahead of the curve.
References
AR photo booth software by Banuba – Create fun & memorable events. (n.d.). Banuba. https://www.banuba.com/solutions/ar-photo-booth
Leading iPad photo booth app for events & weddings | LumaBooth. (n.d.). DSLR Booth. https://dslrbooth.com/lumabooth-photo-booth-app
Leading photo booth software for Windows PC and Canon/Nikon/Sony/Webcam. (n.d.). DSLR Booth. https://dslrbooth.com/dslrBooth-Photo-Booth-Software
Photo booth apps & software for iPad, iOS, and web | Simple Booth. (n.d.). Simple Booth. https://www.simplebooth.com/photo-booth-apps
Photo booth software for Windows and Mac | Sparkbooth. (n.d.). Sparkbooth. https://sparkbooth.com
Wikipedia contributors. (2025, April 29). Photo booth. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photo_booth
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Yes. The vast majority of photobooth software supports Windows. Banuba AR Photo Booth Software Kit is available for Windows too.
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Yes. The Photo Booth app by Apple is available for iPads on App Store.
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Yes. The majority of photo booth software not only supports the device’s built-in camera, but also connects well to external cameras.
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Pricing for photo booth software varies depending on a number of factors: the number of photo booths you want to set up, the platform your booths operate on, the features you need, etc. Most software options offer free trial so you can check the functionality of the selected software before purchasing.