SnapCount vs CountThings
Shared live counting across devices or automatic counting from photos and video.
Choose CountThings when compatible items can be counted automatically from photos or video, especially when offline work matters. Choose SnapCount when several people need to update one trusted manual count live from their own phones, tablets, or laptops. SnapCount starts in the browser without an account and Team access costs $49 once per organization.
CountThings
- Automatically counts compatible items from photos and video
- Works offline after the app, license, and counting templates are set up
- Photo licenses are priced by device and usage period
SnapCount
- Keep one manual count synchronized across multiple devices
- Start Guest Mode in a browser with no account or app install
- Pay $49 once per organization for the Team plan
A Closer Look
Pricing and long-term cost
CountThings lists photo licenses at $24 for 24 hours, $120 per month per device, or $1,200 per year per device. Its video license is $600 per month per device or $2,400 per year per device. Those options pay for automatic image recognition. SnapCount Team is $49 once per organization for shared manual counting, saved records, and spreadsheet exports.
Source: CountThings pricing, checked September 1, 2026Counting workflow
CountThings is the better fit when automatic photo or video recognition is the work itself. SnapCount does not count objects from images. It gives a crew one shared live manual total: open a counter, share a link or QR code, and record observations together as the work happens.
Multi-device collaboration
SnapCount lets several people update the same manual count from their own browsers while the shared total stays current on every connected device. CountThings supports teams and multiple licensed devices, but its published workflow centers on automatic counts performed from photos or video on each device, not several operators tapping one shared live tally.
Setup and guest access
SnapCount Guest Mode opens in a browser with no account or installation. CountThings must be downloaded and paired with the right counting template before it can recognize an item. CountThings does offer a limited one-day anonymous guest path, while its 7-day trial requires an account. After setup, its standard licensed workflow can run offline.
Source: CountThings free trial and setup guideFeature Breakdown
| Feature | CountThings | SnapCount |
|---|---|---|
Pricing model CountThings also offers 24-hour and pay-per-count photo options. | From $120/month/device for photos | $49 lifetime per organization |
Primary workflow | Automatic photo and video counting | Shared manual live counting |
Automatic photo/video counting CountThings' core workflow | ||
Live shared tally across devices SnapCount's core workflow | Not its published workflow | |
Start without an account | 1-day app guest mode | Browser Guest Mode |
First-use setup | Install app and download a counting template | Open browser and share link or QR |
Offline counting CountThings supports offline work after initial setup and activation. |
Which One Is Right for You?
Choose SnapCount if...
- Teams doing manual headcounts or event tallies
- Small-to-medium inventory spot-checks
- Anyone who needs multiplayer counting
- Budget-conscious teams who count regularly
Choose CountThings if...
- •Large-scale automated counting (thousands of identical items)
- •Photo-based counting where manual counting is impractical
- •Offline counting and custom photo/video workflows
Free to prove. Paid when the count matters.
Guest Mode proves live sync in a real count. Free sessions start with 1 hour and stay open while active, up to 4 hours. Lifetime plans add saved records, exports, team access, and accountability.
Pay once. No subscription. No monthly fees.
Guest Mode
$0
up to 4 active hours
No account needed. Share 2 live sessions every 7 days by link or QR code, and test live sync on two devices.
Prove it free
Run a live shared counter before buying.
Buy once
Keep the workspace without monthly renewals.
Invite the crew
Only the organization needs the paid plan.
Defend the record
Use exports, logs, reports, and locks when accuracy matters.
one-time
No recurring subscription
Lifetime access for one organization
Covers one organization
Up to 5 members per organization
Unlimited shared counters for gates, aisles, and stations
Real-time sync across phones, tablets, and laptops
Every device sees the same count as teammates tap, so the team does not reconcile numbers later.
Export totals to spreadsheets
Download final totals for spreadsheets, reports, and handoff notes.
one-time
No recurring subscription
Lifetime access for one organization
Covers one organization
No cap on members
Full audit trail showing who counted what and when
Enterprise records who changed each counter and when for audit-friendly reviews.
Export with exact timestamps
Export event-level rows with exact timestamps instead of just final totals.
Daily activity reports by date range
Pull summarized activity by date range without rebuilding the report manually.
Multiple admins per organization
Reset counters automatically on a timezone-aware schedule for shifts or daily operations.
Lock counters to prevent resets
Prevent accidental or unauthorized resets once a count should be preserved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need AI to count inventory?
Not always. For smaller warehouses, mixed stock, or items that are hard to photograph consistently, a shared manual count can be simpler than setting up an image-recognition workflow.
Can I try SnapCount for free?
Yes. You can try a free guest session with no sign-up. It starts with 1 hour and stays open while active for up to 4 hours. Upgrade when you need saved team records.
Can I switch from CountThings to SnapCount?
Yes. The workflows are different, so there is no image model or counting template to migrate. Start a SnapCount guest session, share its link or QR code, and save the workspace later if you need history and exports.
Is CountThings better than SnapCount for photo counting?
Yes. If you need automatic object counts from photos, CountThings is built for that job. SnapCount is the better fit when people are manually counting live across gates, aisles, stations, or devices.
Other Comparisons
No credit card required • Instant setup
No credit card required • Instant setup