Yes. The GhostViewer app runs in your browser, and browsing the historic photo map on this site is free. Media Framer is also free — it works entirely in your browser with no file upload to our servers. We may add optional paid features later, but the core rephotography tools are free to use today. You can use both the GhostViewer web app and the Media Framer without an account.

Where do the old photos come from?

From several sources, all pinned to a place on the map: GhostViewer archive — photos and scans submitted by contributors and added after review Geograph — historic images from geograph.org.uk, searchable and importable in the app Your own material — prints, postcards, family albums, local archives, books, newspapers, and other sources you upload or use in the app Each record shows what type of source it is and, where known, when the image was taken

Licensing and attribution

GhostViewer does not claim ownership of the underlying historic images. Each old photo has its own licence and attribution, shown on its page (for example Geograph images are credited under CC BY-SA 2.0). Always respect the original licence when sharing or reusing an image. Your own GhostViewer creations (then-and-now overlays, GIFs, and similar) should credit the old photo source as shown on the record. See our Usage Policy for more detail.

Use the Add / photo contribution form. Upload your scan or photo, set the location on the map, and add as much detail as you can (date, source, attribution). Submissions are reviewed before they appear on the map. You will need a GhostViewer website account to submit; register here if you do not have one yet. Or an account will be created when you upload your first Old Photo. The GhostViewer App login is separate from the website account for now. But you can use both the GhostViewer web app and the Media Framer without an account.

For general enquiries, feedback, or questions about the site, use the Contact GhostViewer form. For step-by-step guides, start with Docs & Help. Organisations or individuals interested in working with us can also visit Partner page and Partner Contact Form

Using the app and Media Framer

Open the GhostViewer app to load an old photo, align it with a modern view, and export a before-and-after or animated GIF or Video. You can pull images from the map, upload your own, or import from Geograph. After you have a creation, Media Framer adds a border, caption, logo, change aspect ratio and add optional music (video only) — all in the browser. Full walkthroughs are in Docs & Help, including a Media Framer guide.

Rephotography tool — free in your browser

See Through Time

Recreate old photographs from the same viewpoint today. Align historic and modern photos to see the past and present in one clear comparison — completely free, right in your browser, with no account needed to get started.

Explore the map of old photos and creations, try the app, or become a partner and help the archive grow.

The GhostViewer App is a free browser-based web app — nothing to download or install – just add the images, align and create Gifs and Video. You may also like The Rephotographer’s Toolkit: How to Align Then and Now Photos (And Why Your Approach Matters).

Open GhostViewer Web AppGo to the Map

Docs & Help →

Total Old Photos 781

Total GV Creations 68

2026

Launched March
Full Stats

Step by step

How GhostViewer Works

Load an old photo

Upload from file, use the GhostViewer map, or import from Geograph.

Add a new photo

Take/add a current photo - use the Ghost Guide Camera, or upload from file.

Match landmarks

Click matching points on both images to align

Align images

Choose the best transform mode and refine the result.

Review & output

Check alignment quality, adjust if needed, then download, save, share.

What's included

Key Features

Landmark-based alignment

Pin matching points on historic and modern photos for precise overlay.

Multiple photo sources

File/photo upload, GhostViewer Archive, or direct Geograph import.

Location specific or anonymous

Ideal for recoridng location changes or use for resoration projects, home decoration, new builds – examples

Ghost Guide Camera

Capture new photos with live alignment guidance built in.

Distance context

Location-based distance info for imported Geograph & Ghostviewer old photo photos – thousands available.

Fully browser-based

No install needed. Works on any modern device, (phone, tablet, PC) privacy-first.

Project saving

Import your output Gif into the free Media Framer

Add a frame, tittle, dates, sound, aspect ratio, resolution and and export as GIF (no sound) or Mp3/video

Share your Gifs & videos

Share on different social media platorms (change to portrait/landscape using the Media Framer) and add to the GhostViewer map/archive

Who uses GhostViewer

For Anyone Curious About Local History

Local historians

Documenting how streets and buildings have changed over decades.

Photographers

Creating then-and-now comparison images to share and publish. Enjoy rephotography.

Family historians

Revisiting the house a grandparent grew up in.

Architecture enthusiasts

Tracking how a neighbourhood has evolved over time.

Walking groups & conservation teams

See how landscapes and paths change over time

Environmental observers & citizen scientists

Visualise changes in coastlines, landscapes and ecosystems

GhostViewer Inspiration →

Browse the archive

Map of Old Photos & Creations

Explore the growing archive by location. Click any pin to see old photos available for that spot, plus completed GhostViewer Creations.

View the full map old phots and crreations →

Latest from the archive

GhostViewer Creations

GIFs and videos created by the community — before/after comparisons showing how places have changed.

See all creations →

Built right

Privacy First. Share Your Discoveries.

Browser-first processing

Images are processed in your browser. GhostViewer is designed so you stay in control of your photos and workflow at all times.

Share with the community

Found a great then-and-now match? Share creations with our Facebook & Reddit communities of Photography and history enthusiasts.

Also try the GhostViewer Media Framer →

Grow the archive

Become a Partner

GhostViewer Partners

Contribute to the growing archive and add GhostViewer Creations to your website and social media feeds. Local history societies, photographers, and community groups welcome.

Meet the GhostViewer Partners →

Ready to see through time?

Open the free rephotography app in your browser — no install, no account

Open GhostViewer App View the Map

FAQs

Is GhostViewer free?
Is GhostViewer free to use?
Yes. The GhostViewer app runs in your browser, and browsing the historic photo map on this site is free. Media Framer is also free — it works entirely in your browser with no file upload to our servers. We may add optional paid features later, but the core rephotography tools are free to use today.
You can use both the GhostViewer web app and the Media Framer without an account.
Where do the old photos come from?
Where do the old photos on GhostViewer come from?
From several sources, all pinned to a place on the map:
- GhostViewer archive — photos and scans submitted by contributors and added after review
- Geograph — historic images from geograph.org.uk, searchable and importable in the app
- Your own material — prints, postcards, family albums, local archives, books, newspapers, and other sources you upload or use in the app
Each record shows what type of source it is and, where known, when the image was taken
Licensing and attribution
Who owns the photos, and how should I credit them?
GhostViewer does not claim ownership of the underlying historic images. Each old photo has its own licence and attribution, shown on its page (for example Geograph images are credited under CC BY-SA 2.0). Always respect the original licence when sharing or reusing an image. Your own GhostViewer creations (then-and-now overlays, GIFs, and similar) should credit the old photo source as shown on the record. See our Usage Policy for more detail.
Uploading old photos
How can I add an old photo to GhostViewer?
Use the Add / photo contribution form. Upload your scan or photo, set the location on the map, and add as much detail as you can (date, source, attribution). Submissions are reviewed before they appear on the map. You will need a GhostViewer website account to submit; register here if you do not have one yet. Or an account will be created when you upload your first Old Photo.
The GhostViewer App login is separate from the website account for now. But you can use both the GhostViewer web app and the Media Framer without an account.
Contact
How do I get in touch?
For general enquiries, feedback, or questions about the site, use the Contact GhostViewer form. For step-by-step guides, start with Docs & Help. Organisations or individuals interested in working with us can also visit Partner page and Partner Contact Form
Using the app and Media Framer
How do I use the GhostViewer app and Media Framer?
Open the GhostViewer app to load an old photo, align it with a modern view, and export a before-and-after or animated GIF or Video. You can pull images from the map, upload your own, or import from Geograph. After you have a creation, Media Framer adds a border, caption, logo, change aspect ratio and add optional music (video only) — all in the browser. Full walkthroughs are in Docs & Help, including a Media Framer guide .