GuideUpdated 4 min read

Life4Cuts vs Harufilm vs Photoism (2026)

The short answer

All three brands cost about 4,000-5,000 KRW per session, so the difference is mood: bright and sharp, soft and sentimental, or black-and-white and modern. If you would rather skip the store, there is also a free app that works on one phone.

Three custom frames made by users, a school frame, a festival frame and a cafe frame, side by side in the app intro
A school, a local festival, a shop

What's the difference between the Big 3?

When it comes to Korean photo booths, Life4Cuts, Harufilm, and Photoism are the top names.

All three let you take 4-cut photos, but they each have a distinct vibe and style.

On Instagram: #인생네컷 has 910K+ posts, #하루필름 140K+, and #포토이즘 130K+.

Life4Cuts (인생네컷)

Started in Daegu in 2017, now Korea's #1 with 236+ locations nationwide.

Known for diverse collaboration frames (characters, K-pop idols) and presence in 16 countries.

Bright, clear photo quality—great for sharp, vivid shots.

  • Price: ~$3-4 USD per session
  • Strength: Frame variety, accessibility, special editions
  • Vibe: Bright and vibrant

Harufilm (하루필름)

Launched in 2021, quickly became a sensation among young women.

Pastel interiors and soft filters create a dreamy aesthetic.

Went viral among influencers—some locations had 2-hour waits on weekends.

  • Price: ~$3-4 USD per session
  • Strength: Aesthetic filters, pastel frames, Instagram-worthy
  • Vibe: Soft and dreamy

Photoism (포토이즘)

Known for minimalist black-and-white concepts and clean frames.

Stronger in B&W photography—perfect for a chic, modern look.

Many 2-person booths, great for couples and friends.

  • Price: ~$3-4 USD per session
  • Strength: Simple design, B&W quality, sleek mood
  • Vibe: Modern and minimal

Quick Comparison

| Feature | Life4Cuts | Harufilm | Photoism |

|---------|-----------|----------|----------|

| Locations | 236+ | 116+ | 100+ |

| Price | $3-4 | $3-4 | $3-4 |

| Vibe | Bright | Dreamy | Chic |

| Frames | Collab heavy | Pastel | Minimal |

| Best for | Clear shots | Aesthetic | B&W/modern |

Free alternative: Shoot at home

You don't need to visit a store—my4cut lets you take 4-cut photos at home for free.

Just use an iPad or webcam. You can even create your own custom frames.

Perfect for events and parties—save hundreds on booth rentals.

Bottom line

Bright & clear → Life4Cuts

Soft & aesthetic → Harufilm

Chic & modern → Photoism

Free + custom frames → my4cut app

How is shooting on a phone different from a store?

The my4cut app is free on the App Store and Google Play. Take four shots with the front camera, pick a frame, and the photo saves to your gallery. A Galaxy or an iPhone is enough.

A store means working around location and wait times. The app works anywhere. Frames come in styles like dog, travel and neighborhood shop, so you can match the occasion.

Where do I make a frame with my school or shop name?

Tap Create My Frame at the top of the store screen in the app. On a computer, the web frame maker lets you pick a template and change the text, and the size is set for you.

For Illustrator or Photoshop, see the frame template guide. The app frame is a 1080 x 1920 px PNG with the four photo slots left transparent.

Two frame store screens. On the left the Create My Frame button at the top is marked in red; on the right the list is scrolled down to three Chuseok frames
Create My Frame at the top

Frequently Asked Questions

Which brand is the cheapest — Life4Cuts, Harufilm, or Photoism?
All three are similarly priced at about $3-4 USD per session. For a free alternative, try the my4cut app.
Which has the best photo quality?
Life4Cuts is bright and clear, Harufilm is soft and dreamy, Photoism excels at black-and-white. Choose based on your style preference.
Which has the most frame options?
Life4Cuts leads with diverse collaboration frames (characters, K-pop idols). Harufilm focuses on pastel aesthetics, while Photoism keeps it minimal.
Can I take 4-cut photos for free at home?
Yes! Download the my4cut app and use your smartphone or iPad to shoot for free. You can even create custom frames.
Are these available outside Korea?
Life4Cuts has locations in 16 countries. The my4cut app is available worldwide for download and use anywhere.
Do I need an iPad to shoot on my phone?
No. A Galaxy or an iPhone is enough. Use an iPad only if you want a bigger screen.
Can I make a frame for my school?
Yes. Make it with Create My Frame in the app or in the web frame maker by adding your text. You can also upload your own PNG.

Try 4-cut photos at home for free

Create custom frames and shoot for free with my4cut.

Start free

Your phone becomes the photo booth

MY4CUT is a 4-cut photo booth app with a countdown timer, frames, filters and QR sharing. Free on iOS and Android.

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