The short answer

A digital photo frame is best for a home where people pass by it every day, like grandparents’ living room. A phone widget is best for one person you want to see often, because their photo comes with you.

How they compare

  1. Cost: a frame is a device you buy. A widget is free on the phone they already have.
  2. Setup: a frame needs Wi-Fi and an account. A widget needs the app and a long-press on the home screen.
  3. Who sees it: a frame is seen by whoever is in the room. A widget is seen by the phone’s owner.
  4. Freshness: both update when someone sends a new photo, as long as they are online.
  5. Privacy: with either, choose a service where only invited people can send photos.

Using both

Many families use a frame at the grandparents’ house and widgets on everyone’s phones. The same everyday photos reach both. With DuoFrame the photos go to a family group, so everyone’s widget shows them.

Sources