Is Costco Photo Now Shutterfly? Here's What Changed in 2025

If you’ve ever ordered prints or photo books from Costco, you might’ve noticed something different lately. The old Costco Photo Center logo is gone. The checkout page looks different. The app feels unfamiliar. And now, when you click on your order status, it redirects you to Shutterfly. So yes - Costco Photo is now Shutterfly. But what does that actually mean for you? And should you still use it?

What Happened to Costco Photo?

In early 2024, Costco officially ended its long-standing partnership with its in-house photo lab and handed over all photo services to Shutterfly. This wasn’t a surprise to industry insiders - Shutterfly had already been quietly taking over backend operations since 2022. By January 2025, the transition was complete. Every Costco photo website, app, and kiosk now runs on Shutterfly’s platform.

You still go to costcophotocenter.com - but now it’s just a front end for Shutterfly. Your Costco membership still gives you discounts. Your old photo albums are still accessible. But behind the scenes, it’s all Shutterfly’s servers, printers, and customer service teams now.

How Does This Affect Your Orders?

If you used Costco Photo before 2024, you might be worried about quality, pricing, or convenience. Here’s what changed - and what stayed the same.

• Prices: Most standard prints (4x6, 5x7) still cost the same - $0.11 to $0.25 per print. But photo books and canvases? Those went up. A 20-page hardcover album that cost $19.99 in 2023 now starts at $29.99.
• Quality: The paper and ink are the same. Shutterfly uses the same Fujifilm printers Costco used. But some users report slightly more color variation in prints since the switch. This isn’t a system-wide issue - just inconsistent calibration at a few regional fulfillment centers.
• Speed: Standard prints still ship in 3-5 business days. But custom albums now take 7-10 days. Shutterfly doesn’t have Costco’s warehouse network, so orders are routed through their own hubs in Texas and New Jersey.
• App Experience: The old Costco app was clunky but simple. The new Shutterfly app is sleeker, but packed with upsells - “Add a frame?” “Upgrade to matte?” “Buy a gift box?” It feels more like Amazon than your local photo lab.

Can You Still Use Your Costco Membership?

Yes. And that’s the biggest win. If you’re a Costco member, you still get:

• 10% off all photo books and canvases
• Free shipping on orders over $35
• Exclusive member-only promo codes (like 50% off 50 prints)

You don’t need to sign up for Shutterfly separately. Just log in with your Costco account. Your order history, saved albums, and photo folders all transferred over automatically. No data loss. No re-uploading.

What’s Different Now?

The biggest change isn’t technical - it’s psychological. Before, Costco Photo felt like a no-frills utility. You uploaded, picked sizes, paid, got prints. Now, Shutterfly pushes you toward premium upgrades at every step.

For example:

• When you upload a photo, it now suggests “AI-enhanced color correction” - for $4.99.
• Choosing a photo book layout shows you three templates - but only one is free. The others cost $5-$10 extra.
• You can no longer order bulk prints without selecting a package. There’s no more “just print these 100 photos” option.

These aren’t bad features. But they make the process feel more like shopping than printing. If you just want clean, cheap prints, you’ll need to click past the upsells.

Is Shutterfly Better Than Costco Photo?

It depends on what you want.

Costco Photo vs. Shutterfly (2025)

Feature	Costco Photo (Pre-2024)	Shutterfly (Now)
Base print price (4x6)	$0.11	$0.11
Photo book (20-page)	$19.99	$29.99 (with member discount)
Free shipping threshold	$35	$35
Turnaround time	3-5 days	7-10 days for albums
Customer service	Costco in-store support	Phone/email only
AI tools	None	Color enhancement, auto-crop, face retouch
Mobile app	Simple, basic	Polished, but full of ads

If you value simplicity and low cost, the old system was better. If you want more design control, AI tools, and fancy layouts, Shutterfly wins.

Who Should Still Use This Service?

You should still use Shutterfly through Costco if:

• You’re a Costco member and already buy groceries or gas there - it’s convenient to do photo orders in the same place.
• You need bulk prints for family events, school projects, or holiday cards.
• You don’t care about fancy layouts and just want reliable, affordable prints.

You should look elsewhere if:

• You want same-day pickup. Shutterfly doesn’t offer in-store returns.
• You’re printing professional work. The color consistency isn’t as tight as with dedicated labs like Mpix or Bay Photo.
• You hate being nudged to spend more. The upsells are relentless.

What Are the Alternatives?

If you’re not happy with Shutterfly through Costco, here are three solid alternatives:

• Mpix: Best for quality. Prints look like they came from a professional lab. Prices are higher, but you get better color accuracy and thicker paper. No membership needed.
• Shutterfly (standalone): If you’re not a Costco member, Shutterfly’s standalone site often has better deals - especially during holidays. Their $5 photo book sales are frequent.
• Amazon Photos: If you’re already in the Amazon ecosystem, this is the cheapest option. Prints start at $0.09. But the app is barebones, and customer service is slow.

Final Verdict: Should You Still Order Through Costco?

Yes - but with eyes open.

The core service hasn’t broken. Your prints still look great. Your membership still saves you money. The convenience of ordering from your Costco account hasn’t changed.

But it’s no longer a no-frills photo lab. It’s a retail experience with a photo service attached. If you’re okay with that shift, keep using it. If you miss the old simplicity, it’s time to try Mpix or Amazon.

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