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FotoBox

tomikais.github.io

Free plan Open source macOSLinuxSelf-hosted
Visit tomikais.github.io
Spec score 8.7 #1 of 26 in Photo Booth Software

What it is

FotoBox is a free, open-source photo-booth application for Linux, macOS, and Raspberry Pi OS. It works with a range of DSLR models, with compatibility checked against libgphoto2’s supported-camera list; DSLR operation requires gPhoto2. The official Raspberry Pi Camera Module V2 is described in the installation guide. Users can trigger a capture or begin a countdown by touching or clicking the display, using soft or hardware buttons, pressing keyboard shortcuts, or operating a presenter. A buzzer wired to Raspberry Pi GPIO can trigger the application when pigpio’s library and daemon are installed. FotoBox can also run on Linux without the X Window System through Qt for Embedded Linux. The maker describes it as customizable, fast, and low in memory use. Support is directed to German or English Raspberry Pi forums, while bugs and feature suggestions go to the GitLab issue tracker. The free open-source plan costs nothing.

Spec sheet

What it does
FotoBox is a free, open-source application for operating a photo booth.Read 15 Oct 2026 · tomikais.github.io
Purpose
FotoBox is a free, open source application for operating a photo booth.Read 9 Oct 2026 · tomikais.github.io
Support
The README directs bug reports to GitLab issues and user support to German or official Raspberry Pi forums.Read 15 Oct 2026 · tomikais.github.io
Maker
The project is attributed to Thomas Kais, whose GitLab account owns the repository.Read 15 Oct 2026 · gitlab.com
Bug reports
The maker directs users to the GitLab issue tracker to report software bugs or suggest features.Read 9 Oct 2026 · tomikais.github.io
Build extensibility
The project provides CMake and qmake build paths and documents Docker-based cross-compilation for Raspberry Pi binaries.Read 15 Oct 2026 · forum-raspberrypi.de
Camera requirement
For DSLR use, the installation instructions say to install gPhoto2.Read 9 Oct 2026 · tomikais.github.io
Camera support
The application supports various DSLR cameras through gPhoto2 and also supports the Raspberry Pi Camera Module.Read 15 Oct 2026 · forum-raspberrypi.de
Changelog item
Version 1.3.5 improved performance, added a help button, included a Linux installer script, and fixed gPhoto2 camera-model detection handling.Read 15 Oct 2026 · forum-raspberrypi.de
Dependencies
DSLR operation requires gPhoto2/libgphoto2, while GPIO buzzer support uses pigpio.Read 15 Oct 2026 · tomikais.github.io
Developer tooling
Development instructions list Qt Creator, CMake, qmake, Git, Doxygen, Graphviz, build-essential, and ccache.Read 15 Oct 2026 · tomikais.github.io
Documentation
The project publishes generated Doxygen documentation and a README with installation and troubleshooting guidance.Read 15 Oct 2026 · tomikais.github.io
Fullscreen mode
The forum feature list identifies FotoBox as a fullscreen application.Read 15 Oct 2026 · forum-raspberrypi.de
GPIO buzzer
A Raspberry Pi GPIO-connected buzzer can trigger the application through pigpio.Read 15 Oct 2026 · tomikais.github.io
Languages
The forum feature list says the interface is available in German and English.Read 15 Oct 2026 · forum-raspberrypi.de
Licence
The GitHub repository identifies the project as GPL-2.0 licensed.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Limit: GPIO dependency change
Earlier versions used WiringPi for GPIO, but that framework was no longer maintained and the maker was migrating to pigpio.Read 15 Oct 2026 · forum-raspberrypi.de
Limit: incomplete gallery documentation
The maker acknowledged that the offline guest gallery and its configuration were not documented in a full tutorial.Read 15 Oct 2026 · forum-raspberrypi.de
Limit: no live view
The maker stated in the forum that live camera preview had not yet been implemented.Read 15 Oct 2026 · forum-raspberrypi.de
Limit: no printing
The forum discussion states that photo printing was not implemented at that time and remained planned work.Read 15 Oct 2026 · forum-raspberrypi.de
Limit: stalled development
In October 2022 the maker described the project as largely dormant and said no newer official release had been published after version 1.3.5.Read 15 Oct 2026 · forum-raspberrypi.de
Linux framebuffer
FotoBox can run without X11 using Qt for Embedded Linux and the linuxfb platform.Read 15 Oct 2026 · tomikais.github.io
macOS installation
The macOS instructions require Homebrew, gPhoto2, and a downloaded FotoBox release.Read 15 Oct 2026 · tomikais.github.io
Performance
The maker describes FotoBox as a customizable application for Linux and macOS that is fast and uses little memory.Read 9 Oct 2026 · tomikais.github.io
Performance claim
The maker describes the Linux and macOS application as customizable, fast, and low-memory.Read 15 Oct 2026 · tomikais.github.io
Photo storage
Captured photos can be saved on the Raspberry Pi storage and on the camera's SD card.Read 15 Oct 2026 · forum-raspberrypi.de
Photo triggering
Users can start captures or countdowns with touch, mouse clicks, keyboard shortcuts, soft or hardware buttons, or a presenter.Read 15 Oct 2026 · tomikais.github.io
Photo triggers
Users can trigger photos or start a countdown by touching or clicking the screen, using soft or hardware buttons, pressing keyboard shortcuts, or using a presenter.Read 9 Oct 2026 · tomikais.github.io
Praise: community use
A Raspberry Pi forum participant reported that FotoBox worked well for them and that they liked using it.Read 15 Oct 2026 · forum-raspberrypi.de
Project origin
The GitLab project page records creation on December 20, 2016.Read 15 Oct 2026 · gitlab.com
Raspberry Pi camera
The installation guide describes using the official Raspberry Pi Camera Module V2.Read 9 Oct 2026 · tomikais.github.io
Raspberry Pi requirement
The installation guidance targets Raspberry Pi Model 2 or newer running Raspberry Pi OS Bullseye.Read 15 Oct 2026 · tomikais.github.io
Release history
The forum identifies version 1.3.5 as the last released FotoBox version in the maker's October 2022 response.Read 15 Oct 2026 · forum-raspberrypi.de
Repository activity
The GitHub mirror shows 669 commits, 27 stars, 9 watchers, and 3 forks when opened.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Settings
Settings are configured in a dialog and persisted in an INI file, including countdown length and color.Read 15 Oct 2026 · forum-raspberrypi.de
Source availability
Source code is available from the author's GitLab repository and mirrored on GitHub.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Touchscreen operation
The forum description says a touchscreen can start the booth or countdown.Read 15 Oct 2026 · forum-raspberrypi.de

Plans and prices

FotoBox Free free open-source photobooth application · Raspberry Pi/Linux/macOS Read 15 Oct 2026 · tomikais.github.io
Free open source Free Photobooth application · Raspberry Pi, Linux and macOS Read 9 Oct 2026 · tomikais.github.io

Every FotoBox plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free and open source
  • Supports Linux, macOS, and Raspberry Pi OS
  • Offers multiple physical and software triggers
  • Can use Raspberry Pi Camera Module V2
  • Runs on Linux without X Window System

Limits

  • DSLR use requires installing gPhoto2
  • Camera compatibility depends on libgphoto2’s list
  • Support is routed through community forums

Who it suits

FotoBox suits people building photo booths on Linux, macOS, or Raspberry Pi OS. It is particularly relevant when DSLR, Raspberry Pi camera, GPIO, or non-X Linux operation matters.

Verdict

FotoBox provides a free, configurable photo-booth application with varied trigger methods and Raspberry Pi hardware options. Camera setup and community-based support are the main practical considerations.

Where Specifiction places it

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