At a glance
- Included
- Partial: plan-gated, add-on or limited
- Not offered
- Depends or not stated
| Feature | 9Pic AI | NORTHSOUTH | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discovery | |||
| Selfie search Edge: Tie | Included: Selfie search (FaceFind) on every plan | Included: Selfie search on most galleries[3][4] | What it means: Both match faces. |
| Bib and name search Edge: Tie | Included: BibTrack reads bib numbers on every plan | Included: AI bib recognition, name search and browsing by camera point and time[3] | What it means: Both read bibs automatically. |
| Delivery | |||
| Speed Edge: NORTHSOUTH | Partial: Searchable once uploaded; most events within an hour | Included: First photos during the race from smart cameras; full galleries within hours[2][3] | What it means: With its own cameras, NORTHSOUTH gets photos to runners during the race. |
| Pricing and brand control Edge: 9Pic AI | Included: Organiser sets prices and brand; custom domain on Pro | Partial: NORTHSOUTH sets prices per gallery on its own site[4][3] | What it means: On 9Pic AI the organiser owns the runner experience. |
| Selling | |||
| Who pays for photos Edge: Depends | Included: Organiser chooses free or paid downloads | Partial: Runners usually buy photos; a share goes back to the event[3][4] | What it means: NORTHSOUTH coverage is mostly paid for by runners. |
| Video | |||
| Video Edge: Depends | Partial: Motion clips and Flow reels for each participant, on Pro | Included: Same-day event films and drone footage by its crew[2] | What it means: NORTHSOUTH makes the event film. 9Pic AI makes a reel for each runner. |
| Operations | |||
| Who shoots Edge: NORTHSOUTH | Partial: You bring your own or local photographers | Included: Own crew of photographers, film makers and drone pilots[2] | What it means: With NORTHSOUTH the organiser manages no photographers. |
| Where it works Edge: 9Pic AI | Included: Any country, with galleries in 13 languages | Partial: Mostly Australia, with some Singapore events in 2026[1][5] | What it means: Outside Australia, 9Pic AI works with local photographers. |
| Pricing model | |||
| How you pay Edge: Depends | From $0.03 per photo processed | Runners pay per photo or pack; organiser terms by enquiry[3][6] | What it means: NORTHSOUTH is mostly runner-funded. With 9Pic AI the organiser pays and decides who else pays. |
Where they are the same
Both use AI to find runners by bib number and selfie, both put photos online within hours of the event or faster, and both can give photos away free when a sponsor pays.
Key differences
-
Crew included vs bring your own
NORTHSOUTH supplies photographers, film makers and drone pilots, with smart cameras that upload during the race. 9Pic AI does not supply photographers. You hire your own team or local freelancers, upload with 9Pic Uplink and let 9Pic AI index the photos.
-
Runner-paid vs organiser choice
On NORTHSOUTH runners usually buy their photos, and a share goes back to the event. On 9Pic AI the organiser picks free downloads, or paid downloads with 9Pic Checkout on the Business plan, and sets the price.
-
Event films vs personal reels
NORTHSOUTH's crew makes same-day event films and drone footage. On the Pro plan, 9Pic Flow builds a personal highlight reel for every finisher and 9Pic Motion cuts clips of each participant from footage you upload.
Where NORTHSOUTH is the better choice
- You want one supplier for photographers, film crew and drone, with nothing to manage on race day.
- You want runners to get their first photos during the race, with SMS alerts when their photos are ready.
- You want photo coverage paid for by runners, with a revenue share back to your event.
- You need a cinematic event film made on the day.
Fit by event type
| Event type | Better fit | Why | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australian city marathon wanting full service | NORTHSOUTH | Crew, real-time photos and same-day films from one supplier | None |
| Race outside Australia | 9Pic AI | Works with local photographers anywhere | None |
| Organiser with its own photographers | 9Pic AI | Run selfie and bib search yourself and set your price | Marathons |
| Triathlon wanting personal reels | 9Pic AI | Flow reels for every finisher on Pro | Triathlon |
| Event that needs a highlight film and drone | NORTHSOUTH | Same-day films and drone footage by its crew | None |
| Cycling ride or gran fondo | Depends | Both search by bib and selfie; NORTHSOUTH brings the crew, 9Pic AI lets you bring yours | Cycling |
What it costs
Scenario: a 5,000-runner half marathon with 60,000 photos. Change the numbers to see your own 9Pic AI cost.
| 9Pic AI plan | Math | Total | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pay as you go Lowest for your choices Does not include your choices | 60,000 × $0.03 | $1,800 | Selfie and bib search, watermarks, 1 year storage |
| Pro Lowest for your choices Does not include your choices | $200 + 60,000 × $0.02 | $1,400 | Adds Flow, Motion, Certify, Select, custom domain, 2 year storage |
| Business Lowest for your choices Does not include your choices | $350 + 60,000 × $0.02 | $1,550 | Adds 9Pic Checkout photo sales with no 9Pic commission |
How NORTHSOUTH charges
Runners usually pay. Each event gallery shows a single-photo price and an all-photos pack, set per event in local currency, and some events add a photo and video bundle. NORTHSOUTH says the price covers the photographers, editing, AI bib recognition and live delivery, plus a revenue share back to the event. Brand-sponsored events can make photos free. Organiser terms are not public and start with an enquiry. See the current numbers on NORTHSOUTH pricing[3][4]. Checked 26 Oct 2026.
Which costs less depends on whether you hire a full-service crew or your own photographers, and whether runners or the organiser pay for photos.
Switching from NORTHSOUTH
-
Book your photographers: your own team or local freelancers.
-
Upload with 9Pic Uplink after each wave or at the end of the race.
-
Import your start list so bib numbers map to runners.
-
Choose delivery and share one link: free downloads, or paid downloads with 9Pic Checkout on the Business plan.
What does not move: past NORTHSOUTH galleries, runner purchases and films made by its crew.
We set up your first event with you.
Case studies
Frequently asked questions
Fit
Is North South Live the same as NORTHSOUTH?
Yes, North South Live now trades as NORTHSOUTH at northsouth.live, and was formerly RaceAtlas. It is run by a Melbourne media company.
Is 9Pic AI a good NORTHSOUTH alternative?
9Pic AI is a good NORTHSOUTH alternative when you want to use your own or local photographers, set your own pricing and add a reel for every finisher. For a full-service crew with real-time photos and event films in Australia, NORTHSOUTH is often the better fit.
Does NORTHSOUTH have selfie search?
Yes, NORTHSOUTH offers bib and name search, selfie search on most galleries and browsing by camera point and time. 9Pic AI also includes selfie and bib search on every plan.
Cost
How does NORTHSOUTH pricing work?
On NORTHSOUTH, runners usually buy photos one at a time or as an all-photos pack, priced per gallery, and part of the revenue goes to the event. Organiser terms are by enquiry. 9Pic AI charges the organiser from $0.03 per photo processed.
Switching
Can I move my race from NORTHSOUTH to 9Pic AI?
Yes. Book your own or local photographers, upload their photos with 9Pic Uplink, import your start list and share one gallery link. Past NORTHSOUTH galleries and films stay with NORTHSOUTH.
Data and privacy
How does 9Pic AI handle selfies and face data?
9Pic AI does not store the selfie used to search, does not train models on photos or faces, and keeps face data only while the gallery is hosted. Organisers decide how long a gallery stays live.
How we compared
We reviewed NORTHSOUTH's website, FAQ, terms and live event galleries, the Australian business register and archived copies of raceatlas.com. We did not buy photos or ask for an organiser quote. We last checked on 26 Oct 2026. 9Pic AI facts come from our pricing and product pages. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Sources
- [1] NORTHSOUTH homepagehttps://northsouth.live/
- [2] NORTHSOUTH: Abouthttps://northsouth.live/about
- [3] NORTHSOUTH FAQhttps://northsouth.live/faq
- [4] NORTHSOUTH: Run Melbourne 2026 galleryhttps://northsouth.live/photos/2026-run-melbourne
- [5] NORTHSOUTH: The Kiprun gallery (Singapore)https://northsouth.live/photos/the-kiprun
- [6] NORTHSOUTH contacthttps://northsouth.live/contact
- [7] raceatlas.com serving NORTHSOUTH (archived March 2026)https://web.archive.org/web/20260311082733/https://raceatlas.com/
All accessed 26 Oct 2026.