"I'm amazed, and I'm really happy with how good the results are."
Sideline vs Caption Caddie
One App. No API Key.
No Photo Mechanic Required.
Caption Caddie needs three things before it captions a frame: a Photo Mechanic license, a Google Cloud account, and your own Gemini API key. Sideline needs none of them. AI captioning, custom IPTC templates, live galleries, tethering, and FTP — one login, $14.99/mo.
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AI included — no API key, no Google Cloud account, no card on file with Google
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Photo Mechanic optional — build your own IPTC templates in the app
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Caption, deliver, and tether from one app — on Mac and iOS
500 free AI captions · $0 today · Cancel anytime
Trusted by world-class photographers from these leagues and organizations
At a glance
Caption Caddie is a step in your workflow.
Sideline is the workflow.
Sideline captions in about 1.2 seconds per image and does it standalone — no Photo Mechanic, no API key, no second app to deliver with. Wire presets for AP, Getty, Imagn, Icon Sportswire, and ZUMA, plus custom caption styles and IPTC templates you build yourself. Live galleries, wireless tethering, and FTP tools included, on Mac, iOS, and the web. $14.99/mo flat.
Caption Caddie is a Mac-only captioning step designed to run after Photo Mechanic, using an AI key you supply and a Google account you manage. It doesn't deliver images, doesn't tether, doesn't run on iPhone or iPad, and doesn't let you create templates inside the app.
Feature comparison
Sideline vs Caption Caddie
| Feature |  Sideline |
 Caption Caddie |
|---|---|---|
| Photo Mechanic required | Not required |
 Required$14.99/mo separately |
| AI included — no API key needed | Included in your plan |
Bring your own Gemini key Google Cloud account required |
| Live FTP galleries | | |
| Wireless camera tethering | | |
| Remote FTP auto-download | | |
| FTP from inside the app | | |
| Create your own IPTC templates | |
Patches existing PM templates |
| Web access | | |
| Caption styles | AP, Getty, Imagn, Icon, ZUMA + unlimited custom | 3 styles (AP, Getty, Imagn) |
| Roster database coverage | 1.6M+ athletes · 340+ leagues · 116,000+ teams | Import CSV, JSON, or ESPN |
| Time per image | ~1.2 seconds, start to finish | Cull in PM, then caption Two apps per batch |
| AI sports captioning | | |
| One-time lifetime license | $249, once | |
| Typical monthly cost |
$14.99/mo Everything included Start Free Trial |
$11.99/mo Plus Photo Mechanic ($14.99/mo) and a Gemini key you manage |
Photo Mechanic required
SidelineNot required
Caption CaddieRequired
$14.99/mo separately
$14.99/mo separately
AI included — no API key needed
SidelineIncluded in your plan
Caption CaddieBring your own Gemini key
Live FTP galleries
Sideline
Caption Caddie
Wireless camera tethering
Sideline
Caption Caddie
Remote FTP auto-download
Sideline
Caption Caddie
FTP from inside the app
Sideline
Caption Caddie
Create your own IPTC templates
Sideline
Caption CaddiePatches existing PM templates
Web access
Sideline
Caption Caddie
Caption styles
SidelineAP, Getty, Imagn, Icon, ZUMA + custom
Caption Caddie3 styles
Roster database coverage
Sideline1.6M+ athletes · 340+ leagues · 116,000+ teams
Caption CaddieImport CSV, JSON, or ESPN
Time per image
Sideline~1.2 seconds, start to finish
Caption CaddieTwo apps per batch
AI sports captioning
Sideline
Caption Caddie
One-time lifetime license
Sideline$249, once
Caption Caddie
What you actually need to buy
Three Accounts, or One.
Caption Caddie is $11.99/month, but it's the third thing you buy — Photo Mechanic first, then a Google Cloud account with your card on it, then the app. And it captions only, so delivery, galleries, and tethering are still yours to solve. Sideline is one signup, one bill, and everything's in it.
Typical Caption Caddie Stack
Caption Caddie Pro$11.99/mo
Photo Mechanic (required)$14.99/mo
Google Gemini APIYour own key + card on file
Delivery tool (galleries/FTP)Not included
TetheringNot included
Estimated monthly
$26.98/mo+
Three accounts, four tools, before you deliver an image
Sideline — all-in-one
Sideline Captions
$14.99/mo
- AI-generated sports captions (~1.2 sec/image)
- Create your own IPTC templates
- Rosters for 1.6M+ athletes · 340+ leagues · 116,000+ teams
- Live image galleries & FTP tools
- Local tethering on Mac and iOS
500 free AI captions · 14-day full access · $0 today · Cancel anytime
Frequently Asked Questions
Good Questions, Straight Answers.
Everything you need to know before you switch.
Why choose Sideline over Caption Caddie?
Sideline is a Caption Caddie alternative that doesn't need Photo Mechanic, a Google Cloud account, or a Gemini API key. You get AI sports captioning (~1.2 seconds per image), custom IPTC templates, live galleries, and FTP tools — one login, $14.99/month.
Does Sideline require Photo Mechanic?
No. Sideline works on its own: it writes IPTC captions, lets you create your own templates, and includes rosters for 1.6M+ athletes. Photo Mechanic is optional if you already use it. Caption Caddie is built as a step after Photo Mechanic.
Do I need a Google Gemini API key with Sideline?
No. AI captioning is included — no key to generate, no Google Cloud project to configure, no card on file with a second vendor, and no quota to watch during a game. Caption Caddie requires you to bring your own Gemini key and manage the Google account behind it. If that key hits a rate limit at halftime, captioning stops until you sort it out.
Can I FTP or create templates inside Sideline?
Yes. Sideline includes live FTP galleries, FTP auto-download, and custom IPTC templates you create in the app. Caption Caddie captions only — FTP stays in another tool, and templates are patched from Photo Mechanic rather than created in the app.
How many caption styles does Sideline have?
Sideline includes wire presets for AP, Getty, Imagn, Icon Sportswire, and ZUMA Press — plus custom caption styles you build and save. Caption Caddie includes 3: AP, Getty, and Imagn.
Is Sideline available on iOS?
Yes. Sideline Local wireless tethering runs on Mac and iOS. Caption Caddie is Mac only — no iPhone or iPad app.
Isn't Gemini free at low volume?
It can be, within Google's free-tier limits. If you shoot a few hundred frames a month and don't mind managing an API key, that's a real option. Sideline is built for the other case — the photographer who shoots a thousand frames on a Friday, needs them captioned and delivered before the deadline, and doesn't want a second vendor between the camera and the wire.
Is the caption quality as good?
Judge it on your own take. The 14-day trial includes 500 free AI captions — enough to run a full game through both and compare. Sideline builds captions from your rosters, jersey numbers, and in-camera voice tags, then writes them into IPTC so they're live the moment you open the file.
Start Free Trial
500 free AI captions · 14-day full access · $0 today · Cancel anytime
From photographers who switched
Don't Just Take Our Word For It.
Sideline might be the single most important thing I've bought in my whole photography journey. Incredible in every way.
"Such an amazing tool to save time on captioning. No need to enter Photo Mechanic. This app is AWESOME!!"
"I think this product is a game changer. It saves me a ton of time. I can't wait to see what improvements are on the horizon for the future."
"Sideline is game changing. I have told literally everyone in my circle about it. Does everything I need."
"I gave Sideline a try after a volleyball game and was blown away. This application is going to help sports photographers immensely."
"I really enjoy using Sideline. I think it's going to be the industry standard soon. It has already helped me a ton with my workflow."
Stop Stacking Tools. Start Captioning.
No Photo Mechanic. No API key. No second app to deliver with. $14.99/mo, or .
Start Free Trial
500 free AI captions · 14-day full access · $0 today · Cancel anytime