How PhotoFitNow compares
Short answer: use the official tool if your route has one and it does what you need. PhotoFitNow is for people who want to know which published rules apply to their exact application, see the source, and, on a few routes, get a correctly sized file without leaving the browser.
Last reviewed 2026-10-14. We compare categories, not named brands, and publish no competitor prices because we have not verified any. Check each provider’s current terms before you decide.
| Dimension | PhotoFitNow | Official government photo tool (where one exists) | In-person photo shop or photographer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who decides if the photo is accepted | Only the issuing authority. We never say a photo is approved. | Only the issuing authority. | Only the issuing authority. Some shops offer their own guarantee; read its terms. |
| Cost | Free check. One-time prices: $4.99 photo file, $7.99 photo file plus 4 × 6 in print sheet, $12.99 for up to four photo files. | The U.S. State Department publishes its own Photo Tool (tsg.phototool.state.gov). We know of no fee; check the tool. | Varies by provider. Not verified. |
| Countries and routes | Paid export on 3 routes (U.S. paper passport, Hong Kong printed, Hong Kong online upload). Free check or guidance on many more. See the coverage page for every route and its official source. | One country’s routes only. | Depends on the shop. Some routes legally require a photographer; see our coverage page. |
| Where your photo goes | The free check runs in your browser. Only the prepared file is uploaded if you buy, after a separate consent. Our privacy page says exactly what is kept and for how long. | See the tool’s own privacy notice. Not verified. | The photo is taken or scanned by the shop. Ask how it is stored. |
| Retake guidance | Specific fixes for each failed measurement; a clear split between measured, estimated and “you confirm”. | Varies. | The photographer retakes it in person. |
| Edits to your face or background | None. We only frame and size, and only where the authority’s rules allow it. | Varies by tool. | Varies by shop. Some authorities forbid edited photos. |
| Source for the rules | Each route links its official source and shows when we last checked it. | It is the source. | Not usually shown. |
When the official tool or a photographer is the better choice
- You are applying through a route we list as guidance only. We cannot check your file for it.
- The authority requires a commercial photographer or on-site capture. Software cannot replace that.
- The official tool already does what you need and you are comfortable using it.
When PhotoFitNow may help
- You want to confirm which rules apply to your channel before you try, and see the source.
- You are on a route with a tested export and want the right size, or a print sheet for a photo lab.
- You need photos for several people on different routes (the family bundle).
We update this page when our routes or prices change. Spotted a mistake? Write to hello@photofitnow.com.