Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Cluster vs Photo Collage Maker PicJointer

Cluster 4.8★ · Free + IAP 70
Winner Cluster
Photo Collage Maker PicJointer 4.5★ · Free to download 30

Choose Cluster if you need a private photo sharing platform for groups, despite its technical issues; opt for Photo Collage Maker PicJointer only if you are willing to pay for basic collage features, as its free functionality is severely limited.

Full reviews: Cluster · Photo Collage Maker PicJointer

Cluster excels as a private photo sharing app, allowing families and groups to share memories away from social media, though it suffers from frequent bugs and slow uploads. Photo Collage Maker PicJointer is a dedicated collage tool, but its 'free to download' model is misleading, as almost all features, including saving, require a paid subscription.

Head to head

Features edge: ClusterR2R5R11R22
Cluster Cluster is praised for its ability to create private groups for photo sharing, acting as a closed community for family and friends R2R23R41R59. Users appreciate the option to create physical photo books with good quality prints R5. However, users desire more advanced features like a category system or folders for organizing photos R11, a search feature R22, and the ability to combine functionalities with other apps .
Photo Collage Maker PicJointer Photo Collage Maker PicJointer offers collage creation, with users finding it easy to use and providing many options . Some users specifically mention its utility for combining photos on one page for printing or for mood boards . However, the app's core functionality, like saving collages, is locked behind a paywall R67.
Ease of Use tieR5R8R15R41
Cluster Cluster is generally considered easy to use for sharing pictures R5R8. Its UI is described as simple, making it accessible for a wide range of family members R41. However, some users find sending invites difficult and inconsistent R15.
Photo Collage Maker PicJointer Photo Collage Maker PicJointer is frequently described as easy to use and intuitive for creating collages . Users appreciate its straightforward interface for joining pictures .
Reliability edge: Photo Collage Maker PicJointerR1R4R6R7
Cluster Cluster suffers from significant reliability issues, with frequent complaints about photos loading slowly or not uploading at all R1R4R7. The app is prone to freezing and crashing, especially when uploading multiple or large pictures, or when trying to save photos R7R15R24. Users also report login issues and problems with notifications not working R9R15. There are also compatibility issues with Android devices R6R15.
Photo Collage Maker PicJointer While Photo Collage Maker PicJointer's primary reliability concern stems from its paywall, one user reported that the app completely stopped working even after paying for a subscription . Other users did not extensively comment on technical glitches outside of the paywall issue, suggesting that when paid for, the core collage function generally works.
Price/Value edge: ClusterR3R47R53R60
Cluster Cluster is a free app with in-app purchases, and users appreciate its core functionality for private photo sharing without ads R47. Some users express willingness to pay for premium features like QR codes for groups R3 or to support the app R53R60. However, some recent reviews suggest a shift towards a subscription model, with users unhappy about being asked to pay when the app is buggy R60.
Photo Collage Maker PicJointer Photo Collage Maker PicJointer is advertised as 'Free to download' but is heavily criticized for requiring payment for almost all basic functions, including saving collages or even using more than a few pictures R64R67R70. Users feel it's a 'scam' or 'bait and switch' and that the app is overpriced, especially with weekly subscription options R70.
Support tieR19R24R33
Cluster Users report a lack of response from Cluster's support team when experiencing issues R33. Some reviews suggest that the app has not been meaningfully updated in years, leading to an outdated UI and a perception of zero support R19R24.
Photo Collage Maker PicJointer Reviews for Photo Collage Maker PicJointer do not mention direct interactions with customer support. However, the widespread frustration with the misleading 'free' model and high subscription costs implies a lack of responsiveness to user feedback regarding pricing and functionality.
Pick Cluster if

You need a private, ad-free platform to share photos and videos with a closed group of family and friends, and are willing to tolerate occasional bugs and slow uploads R2R23R41R47. You value the ability to create physical photo books from your shared memories R5.

Pick Photo Collage Maker PicJointer if

You are specifically looking for a simple, intuitive app to create photo collages and are prepared to pay a subscription fee for its core functionality, including saving your creations .

Evidence note: Reviews for Photo Collage Maker PicJointer are overwhelmingly focused on its misleading 'free to download' model and mandatory subscription for basic features, making it difficult to assess other aspects like advanced features or long-term reliability for paying users. Cluster's reviews, while more balanced, show a clear trend of declining reliability and perceived lack of updates.

Frequently asked

Is Photo Collage Maker PicJointer truly free?
No, Photo Collage Maker PicJointer is not truly free; while it is free to download, users report that almost all core functions, including saving any collages created, require a paid subscription R64R67R70R79.
Does Cluster allow private photo sharing?
Yes, Cluster is designed for private photo sharing, allowing users to create closed groups by invitation only to share photos and updates away from public social media R2R23R41R59.
What are the main issues with Cluster?
The main issues with Cluster include slow photo uploads, frequent app freezing and crashing, problems with notifications, and logging in difficulties R1R4R7R9.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R2] Cluster 5/5 · US Great app: So much sharing can be done
  2. [R5] Cluster 5/5 · US Photo Books are Great: Just like the other reviewers, I too am very impressed with the Cluster App. Very easy to use and to interact with the current 25 users in our group. What these reviews don’t mention is the ability to create photo books. I have created 2,12x12 and 1, 8x8 hardbound books as well as 4, 5x5 soft cover books. The quality of the prints is fantastic. And the is no difference in
  3. [R11] Cluster 4/5 · US LOVE this app but needs category system: Loving the concept to share photos away from social media! However, with the amount of photos my family uploads, many photos are getting lost. Having categories or folders would be helpful to find photos for specific events instead of scrolling through thousands of photos.
  4. [R22] Cluster 2/5 · US No search?: We rated this a two, but I will say that it has been dependable so far. It just doesn’t appear that there is a search feature so you can search for somebody’s name and possibly see all of the pictures that have been posted with their name. Or, adding a hashtag specific to topics that we select in advance. I went to their product support page and it doesn’t appear there are any instruct
  5. [R8] Cluster 5/5 · US Awesome: I love the app! It’s where you can put your photos in and everything! So fun! 5 stars for sure!
  6. [R15] Cluster 3/5 · US Glitchy: This app has constant glitches. Some days I can’t post at all. Now it’s not notifying people when I do post even though they were getting notifications before. Sending invites is a pain - sometimes people get them sometimes they don’t. Sometimes the link works, other times it doesn’t open anything. Also only some android users can use it. Some with newer androids tell me they can’t get th
  7. [R41] Cluster 5/5 · US Exactly What We Needed: My family used to use an app called Path where it was a closed community and all we saw was each other’s posts. That app was discontinued over 5 years ago and we’ve been looking for a solution since. This app is EXACTLY what we’ve been looking for. We now have close to 30 family members - cousins, uncles, grandparents, in-laws - connecting across the US from Hawaii to Mai
  8. [R1] Cluster 2/5 · US Love it but slow: I love this app but pictures load very slow or don’t finish loading
  9. [R4] Cluster 1/5 · US Photos: It will not let me upload any photos
  10. [R6] Cluster 3/5 · US Help I have a Android: My husband and my brother, both have androids and when they try to download your app, it says the software is updated for Android phones.
  11. [R7] Cluster 1/5 · US Photos don’t upload: Couldn’t get the app to work, kept freezing, had to reinstall, the photos wouldn’t upload very frustrating waste of time
  12. [R3] Cluster 3/5 · US Works for what I use it for: I take the photos for our towns youth football league. 4 age divisions and I can have a cluster group for each division. I wish I could have a QR code for each group, it would make sign ups for parents SO much easier! The link is ok but not as efficient, I would even go premium if that was an option because I use this app weekly from July-November for hundreds of kids
  13. [R47] Cluster 4/5 · US Very Useful!: For years, Cluster has been a family link: for people and activities, for our homestead, for cooking/eating adventures, and even pix from our budding six-year-old photographic granddaughter. Much fun for all! I imagine that the same can be done on Facebook or other social, but on Cluster there are NO ads, and I have NO SENSE of our ID being sold. There's NO pushing of anything. Yes,
  14. [R53] Cluster 5/5 · US Treasure: My son Levi passed in 2019. Cluster has been a huge part of my coping as I pass through this life without him. Having his pictures in one place is a treasure. I’ve tried to become a paying member of Cluster but have not found out how to join. I want to be a supporter of Cluster just how Cluster has supported me. Thank you
  15. [R60] Cluster 1/5 · US Too buggy: Now cluster wants us to pay a subscription? Well, I’d be happy to if the uploads didn’t frequently fail. Fix the bugs so the app works and then ask us to pay.
  16. [R19] Cluster 1/5 · US Fix this outdated app: The app has not been meaningfully updated in years. My first nephew was born in 2016 and this app is still the exact same with terrible UI 9 years later for when I’m having my first kid. Now I’m forced to use this relic of an application bc my family already has it downloaded and all grand babies are on it. If I have to use it then please make it modern and with more functio
  17. [R24] Cluster 3/5 · US Is Cluster still supported?: This app was great years ago, I suspect there's just zero support judging by all the reviews complaining about it. Unfortunately, that's what I came here to confirm. I can barely use the app without it crashing. If i try to save a photo to my iPhone it crashes immediately, and it's been doing that for years. I just take a screenshot then crop it. I was happy to sup
  18. [R33] Cluster 3/5 · US Not getting notifications of posts: We have used Cluster for about 3 years and have loved the ability to share pics privately. Starting in early December notifications of postings have not been received by members of the group. I know of one other user of Cluster who is having the same problem. I have requested help from the site 3 times and have had no response.
  19. [R64] Photo Collage Maker PicJointer 1/5 · US Waste or time: Wont let you even do one picture without a purchase to see if you like it dont waste your time
  20. [R67] Photo Collage Maker PicJointer 1/5 · US You have to pay to save or use: Not worth it
  21. [R70] Photo Collage Maker PicJointer 1/5 · US NOT FREE AT ALL - SCAM: You absolutely can NOT do anything unless you buy the membership. Do not download.
  22. [R79] Photo Collage Maker PicJointer 1/5 · US Free to download, not to use: Per usual, the app creator lies saying it’s free, sickening
  23. [R23] Cluster 4/5 · US Great FB alternative: Between family issues, moving, and a LOT of loving church members, babysitters, and relatives, this app has been AMAZING for posting updates on our niece. As legal guardians, we wanted to keep her pictures private and separate from social media, give everyone simultaneous access to the same pictures/updates, allow them to add their own pics, and the notification system tells
  24. [R59] Cluster 5/5 · US Love the app: This app is similar to Daily Kiddo. It lets you have private albums with family and friends by invitation only. Thank you Cluster!
  25. [R9] Cluster 3/5 · US Logging in issues: I cannot view my groups and I logged out to attempt to fix it but now I can’t log back in. Please advise on what to do to or if anyone else is experiencing issues as well.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store