Squiglet vs Artkive: kids' artwork compared
Two ways to turn a pile of children's drawings into a keepsake book: scan it yourself with an app, or post the originals to a service.
The short version
Two different approaches
Artkive is a service built around a box: you fill it with your child's artwork and post it back, and Artkive photographs and edits each piece, then designs books or framed mosaics for you to approve.
Squiglet is an app: you scan the artwork yourself with your phone in seconds, keep the originals, organise everything in a private family library, and design books, prints and phone cases in the app.
If you want someone else to handle a big archive of originals, Artkive is built for that. If you want to keep your originals, scan as you go and share with family, Squiglet is built for that. The table shows the details.
Squiglet and Artkive side by side
Information about Artkive is from artkiveapp.com, checked 22 October 2026.
| Feature | Squiglet | Artkive |
|---|---|---|
| How the artwork is digitised | You scan each piece with your phone, in seconds | You post a box of originals; Artkive photographs and edits them |
| Keep your originals at home while you digitise | YesNothing is posted anywhere | NoOriginals travel to Artkive in a box |
| Phone app | YesiPhone and Android | PartlyDigital access on its website and an iOS app is mentioned |
| Free to start | YesUp to 100 pieces in a free family library | PartlyPriced by the piece; a $75 deposit applies if the box is not returned within 6 months |
| Photo books | Yes30 to 200 pages, hardcover or softcover, designed in the app with captions | YesBooks of 25 to 350 images in two sizes |
| Professional photography of the originals | PartlyAutomatic straightening and tidying of your own phone scans | YesArtkive says it photographs and edits each piece |
| Framed wall art | PartlyUnframed art prints; framed pages inside books | YesFramed mosaics of 9 or 25 images |
| Prints, phone cases and other gifts | YesPrints, phone cases and more, printed to order | Not shown on the page we checked |
| Private family sharing in the app | YesInvite relatives, choose who can add | Not described on the page we checked |
| Prices published on the website | YesLive prices on our pricing page | Final price depends on piece count and products; list prices were not shown |
| Where it delivers | The UK, the USA, Europe and more (prints to 29 countries) | Box return label for the contiguous US; an international site is linked |
Checked 22 October 2026. Source: Artkive. Details change, so check their site for current information. We are not affiliated with Artkive. If anything here is out of date, tell us at hello@squiglet.com.
Which should you choose?
Choose Squiglet if you...
- Want to keep your originals and scan as you go
- Want a private library the grandparents can see
- Like to design the book yourself and see it first
- Want prints, phone cases and gifts too
- Live outside the US, or want to start free
Choose Artkive if you...
- Have a large backlog and want someone else to photograph it
- Would like professionally edited images
- Live in the US and are happy to post a box
- Want a framed mosaic wall piece
Squiglet and Artkive questions
Is Squiglet an alternative to Artkive?
They solve the same problem differently. Squiglet is a scan-it-yourself app with a free family library, while Artkive is a mail-in service. Many families will prefer one approach; some use both.
Do I have to post my child's artwork to Squiglet?
No. You photograph each piece with your phone and keep the original.
Can I make a book with Squiglet from artwork I scanned elsewhere?
Yes. Add the pictures to your library from your phone and design the book from there.
Try Squiglet free
Join the waitlist and be first to scan, share and print your child's artwork.
Free to start. No card needed.