Reviewers report that CEWE’s photo book design software, both on desktop and mobile, has been a source of significant frustration for many customers, despite some positive feedback on the overall website experience. Of the 126 mentions, 52 are negative and 28 are positive, indicating a clear imbalance in user sentiment. The overall trend shows a consistent decline in satisfaction over time, with many users noting that recent updates have made the software slower, less intuitive, and missing key features. While some appreciate the clean layout of the website, the design tools themselves are frequently criticized for being outdated, buggy, and lacking flexibility. Users often describe the experience as time-consuming and error-prone, with repeated crashes, poor formatting controls, and limited customization options. The negative sentiment is especially strong among long-time users who recall earlier versions as more functional and user-friendly.

What customers praise

Some users appreciate the clean and straightforward layout of the CEWE website, which makes navigating the ordering process easier. A few reviewers mention that the software allows basic photo book creation without requiring advanced design skills. A small number of customers also note that the final product quality is good, especially for simple, standard layouts. These positive comments are generally limited to the visual output and ease of placing photos, not the design process itself.

What customers said:

  • „How about a simulation so I can see what a product will cost me?“ - Trusted Shops · 4★ · · translated · German
    „How about a simulation so I can see what a product will cost me?“

    Original„Wie wäre es mit einer SImulation, damit ich sehe, was miich ein Produkt kostet.“

  • „The website is well-organized.“ - Trusted Shops · 4★ · · translated · German
    „The website is well-organized.“

    Original„Die Webseite ist übersichtlich.“

Common complaints

Customers frequently report that the design software is slow, crashes often, and fails to load images properly. Many complain about missing features such as the ability to switch between portrait and landscape formats, adjust text formatting, or add stickers and custom frames. The mobile app is especially criticized for being unintuitive, with broken gestures like swipe navigation and no option to change layout settings after starting the project. Users also express frustration with the inability to edit certain details after the initial setup, such as changing the delivery address or modifying fonts mid-project.

What customers said:

  • „But the features are clearly limited.“ - Apple App Store · 1★ · · translated · German
    „But the features are clearly limited.“

    Original„Doch die Features sind deutlich abgespeckt.“

  • „Had to start CEWE 4 times.“ - Trusted Shops · 4★ · · translated · German
    „Had to start CEWE 4 times.“

    Original„Musste CEWE 4 mal starten.“

  • „You cannot change the address on PayPal if you want to send it as a gift.“ - Apple App Store · 2★ · · translated · German
    „You cannot change the address on PayPal if you want to send it as a gift.“

    Original„Man kann die Adresse bei PayPal nicht ändern, wenn man es als Geschenk an jemanden schicken will.“

How it has changed over time

Users consistently note that the software has deteriorated over recent years, with many stating that earlier versions were more functional and user-friendly. The desktop software, once praised for its layout options and image handling, is now described as stripped down and inefficient. Mobile app updates have introduced more bugs and removed features that were previously available. Some reviewers mention that the software now forces users into specific workflows, such as choosing a binding type only through the desktop tool, and that the interface has become more rigid and less flexible than before.

What customers said:

  • „Text is difficult to add to the pages due to the poor handling.“ - Apple App Store · 1★ · · translated · German
    „Text is difficult to add to the pages due to the poor handling.“

    Original„Texte lassen sich nur schwer auf die Seiten bringen, da die Handhabung grottig ist.“

  • „The software installed some time ago is much more cumbersome than before.“ - Apple App Store · 2★ · · translated · German
    „The software installed some time ago is much more cumbersome than before.“

    Original„Die vor einiger Zeit installierte Software ist wesentlich umständlicher als früher.“

  • „Since this year, the app hangs after every added photo.“ - Apple App Store · 2★ · · translated · German
    „Since this year, the app hangs after every added photo.“

    Original„Seit diesem Jahr hängt die App nach jedem eingefügten Foto.“

Practical takeaways

Given the widespread issues with the design software, customers are advised to use the desktop version if possible, as it offers more stable performance and better feature access. Avoid relying on the mobile app for complex projects, as it lacks essential tools and frequently crashes. Users should plan to start projects early and save frequently, as the software can fail mid-process without warning. For those needing advanced customization, consider using third-party design tools and importing final files into CEWE’s system, though this may not always be supported.

What customers said:

  • „Issues with loading photos.“ - Trusted Shops · 4★ · · translated · German
    „Issues with loading photos.“

    Original„Pannen mit dem Laden der Fotos.“

  • „I arrange my own photos now; previously, there was photo selection and layouts on one…“ - Apple App Store · 2★ · · translated · German
    „I arrange my own photos now; previously, there was photo selection and layouts on one page.“

    Original„Ich ordne meine Bilder selber, früher hatte man die Fotoauswahl und die Layouts auf einer Seite.“

  • „Minimal design options, extremely cumbersome operation“ - Apple App Store · 2★ · · translated · German
    „Minimal design options, extremely cumbersome operation“

    Original„Minimale Gestaltungsmöglichkeiten, Bedienung völlig umständlich“

Customer voices

Short excerpts - full reviews are available at the original source.

„It's fun to create a photo book at CEWE Fotowelt.“

★★★★★Apple App StoreTranslated· GermanOriginal
„Es macht Spaß bei CEWE Fotowelt ein Fotobuch zu erstellen.“

„The first two photo books I made on the PC were simply perfect.“

★★★★☆Apple App StoreTranslated· GermanOriginal
„Die ersten beiden Fotobücher hab ich mit dem PC gemacht. Das war einfach perfekt.“

„I find it a shame that there are so few cover designs available through the app.“

★★★★☆Apple App StoreTranslated· GermanOriginal
„Ich finde es schade, dass es über die App nur so wenige Cover Motive gibt.“

„The photo book design program was easy to understand and use.“

★★★★★Trusted ShopsTranslated· GermanOriginal
„Das Programm zum Gestalten des Fotobuchs war einfach zu verstehen und bedienen.“

„I have already placed several photo books with cewe“

★★★★★Trusted ShopsTranslated· GermanOriginal
„Ich habe jetzt schon einige Fotobücher bei cewe in Auftrag gegeben“

„Super that stickers for photo books are finally available💕!“

★★★★★Apple App StoreTranslated· GermanOriginal
„Super, dass endlich Sticker für die Fotobücher verfügbar sind💕!“

„The simple handling for creating a birthday card.“

★★★★★Trusted ShopsTranslated· GermanOriginal
„Die einfache Handhabung zum Gestalten einer Geburtstagskarte.“

„I could easily design a phone case with our grandchildren's photos“