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Google Photos alternatives: 7 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Google Photos: not end-to-end encrypted, and free storage is shared with Gmail and Drive. We ranked 7 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Google Photos, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. iCloud Photos currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Ente Photos logoEnte PhotosFree plan + paidYesWeb, Windows, macOS +44 of 459.6
  1. Ente Photos logo

    1. Ente PhotosTop pick

    Best for: Privacy-minded families wanting a Google Photos-style app with encryption

    Free plan + paidOpen sourceSelf-hostableWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Self-hosted

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Google Photos

    End-to-end encrypted and open source, with a Google Photos-like experience.

    Pros

    • End-to-end encrypted with on-device face and text search
    • Open source, audited and self-hostable
    • Three-location replication of every file

    Cons

    • On-device indexing of large libraries is slow
    • Editing tools are basic
    • Smaller company than the big-tech options
    Visit Ente Photos Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Ente Photos a good Google Photos alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free plan
    10 GB, free forever
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ente.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Replication
    Stored in 3 locations
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ente.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Open source
    Yes, audited and self-hostable
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ente.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Founded
    2020
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ente.io(opens source in a new tab)

The best Google Photos alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

iCloud Photos logo

Best Google Photos alternative for most people

iCloud Photos

The default for iPhone owners, with full-resolution originals and a shared family library.

Immich logo

Best Google Photos alternative for a free option

Immich

Self-hosted near-clone of Google Photos, with mobile backup and face search.

Amazon Photos logo

Best Google Photos alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Amazon Photos

Unlimited full-resolution photo storage included with Amazon Prime.

Ente Photos logo

Best Google Photos alternative for open source

Ente Photos

End-to-end encrypted and open source, with a Google Photos-like experience.

Synology Photos logo

Best Google Photos alternative for self-hosting

Synology Photos

Keep the library on your own Synology NAS with mobile backup.

iCloud Photos logo

Best Google Photos alternative for Mac

iCloud Photos

The default for iPhone owners, with full-resolution originals and a shared family library.

iCloud Photos logo

Best Google Photos alternative for Windows

iCloud Photos

The default for iPhone owners, with full-resolution originals and a shared family library.

Ente Photos logo

Best Google Photos alternative for Linux

Ente Photos

End-to-end encrypted and open source, with a Google Photos-like experience.

Flickr logo

Best Google Photos alternative for iPhone and Android

Flickr

A community-oriented photo home that suits hobbyist and pro photographers.

iCloud Photos logo

Best Google Photos alternative for working in the browser

iCloud Photos

The default for iPhone owners, with full-resolution originals and a shared family library.

Google Photos alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Google Photos?

iCloud Photos ranks first right now. The default for iPhone owners, with full-resolution originals and a shared family library. Amazon Photos and Ente Photos follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Google Photos?

Yes. iCloud Photos (free plan + paid), Amazon Photos (free plan + paid), Ente Photos (free plan + paid) and Immich (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Google Photos?

Yes: Ente Photos and Immich. Ente Photos and Immich can also be self-hosted.

Which Google Photos alternatives work on Linux?

Ente Photos runs on Linux.

Why do people switch from Google Photos?

The complaints we hear most: not end-to-end encrypted; free storage is shared with Gmail and Drive; exporting a large library through Takeout is clumsy.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Google Photos, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.