Choosing a yearbook company is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make as an advisor. The right partner can make your yearbook project a smooth, exciting adventure. The wrong one? Endless stress, blown deadlines, and a whole lot of upset parents and students.
Here at Yearbook Groupie, we talk with advisors all over the country. We’ve heard the highs and the horror stories, and we’ve compiled some practical advice to help you choose the best company for your school.
What to Look For in a Yearbook Company
1.) Software That’s Easy to Use (and Powerful Enough for Students)
The design platform should be simple enough for a first-year student to navigate, but strong enough to handle advanced layouts. Look for collaborative tools and templates that can save your staff hours.
2.) Turnaround Time and Reliability
Some companies take months to deliver books, or they require you to submit your cover and sections of pages by rigid deadlines. Other companies can get them in your hands in weeks. Ask about turnaround guarantees; this can make or break your end-of-year distribution day.
3.) Support for Advisors and Students
You need more than a “contact us” button. The best companies have live chat, phone support, webinars, and training resources tailored to busy advisors and student editors.
4.) Contracts and Flexibility
Beware of long-term, binding contracts that lock you in for multiple years. A good yearbook partner should earn your loyalty, not force it.
5.) Pricing and Programs That Add Value
Yearbooks are a fundraiser for many schools. Look for transparent pricing, fundraising tools, and creative programs that help your students grow. The best yearbooks are affordable for your students. What’s the point of making a yearbook if nobody can buy it?
Yearbook Groupie’s Picks for 2026
After gathering feedback from advisors nationwide, here are our thoughts on the best yearbook companies out there right now.
Entourage Yearbooks – Our Top Pick
Entourage has quickly become the leader in the yearbook industry, particularly for advisors seeking modern tools and flexibility. Their EDONext software is the most advanced platform we’ve seen, with built-in AI support (“Ask Ed”), real-time collaboration, and safeguards like text alignment controls.
They also back advisors with fast 28-day turnaround times, non-binding contracts, and over 9,000 templates and themes to jumpstart creativity. What really impressed us? Their commitment to education: programs like the Next Generation Grant and EPIC Program give back to schools and charities.
Best fit for: Elementary through high school, colleges, and even organizations. Anyone who wants a future-proof yearbook partner.
Other Winners
Picaboo Yearbooks
Flexible ordering with no minimums. A good choice for schools that need affordability and creative freedom without bulk commitments.
Jostens
The most well-known name in yearbooks. They’re reliable, especially for large high schools with strong traditions, but advisors should be aware of longer contracts and higher pricing.
Herff Jones
Great if your school also wants caps, gowns, and rings alongside the yearbook. Their focus is on tradition and package deals.
RememberMe Yearbooks
Simple, straightforward, and budget-friendly. Excellent for first-time advisors at smaller schools.
Balfour
Another long-standing name in the yearbook space. Strong support for advisors and reliable printing, but often better suited for larger programs.
Final Word from Yearbook Groupie
The best way to choose a yearbook company is to match their strengths with your school’s needs. Large schools with decades of tradition may still gravitate toward companies like Jostens or Herff Jones. But for advisors who want flexibility, cutting-edge Software, and a partner who listens to schools, Entourage Yearbooks is our clear recommendation for 2026.
They’ve shown that yearbooks don’t have to be old-fashioned; they can be modern, fast, and student-friendly while still honoring the timeless tradition of preserving memories.