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iCloud Photos alternatives: 7 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave iCloud Photos: only 5 GB free, and no Android app. We ranked 7 alternatives by how directly each one replaces iCloud Photos, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Google Photos currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Google Photos logoGoogle PhotosFree plan + paidNoWeb, iOS, Android4 of 466.5
2Amazon Photos logoAmazon PhotosFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +21 of 162.6
3Ente Photos logoEnte PhotosFree plan + paidYesWeb, Windows, macOS +44 of 459.6
4Immich logoImmichOpen sourceYesWeb, iOS, Android +14 of 457.2
5Mylio Photos logoMylio PhotosFree plan + paidNoWindows, macOS, iOS +13 of 355.3
6Photomator logoPhotomatorPaidNomacOS, iOS4 of 438.6
7Darkroom logoDarkroomFree plan + paidNoiOS, macOS4 of 438.6
  1. Google Photos logo

    1. Google PhotosTop pick

    Best for: Android and iPhone users who want the best automatic search and organisation

    Free plan + paidWeb, iOS, Android

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from iCloud Photos

    Works on Android too, with stronger search and more free space.

    Pros

    • Excellent search by people, places and objects
    • Strong built-in and AI editing tools
    • Easy shared albums and partner sharing

    Cons

    • Not end-to-end encrypted
    • Free storage is shared with Gmail and Drive
    • Exporting a large library through Takeout is clumsy
    Visit Google Photos Compare with iCloud PhotosDetails and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    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 Google Photos a good iCloud Photos alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free storage
    15 GB, shared with Gmail and Drive
    Checked Oct 25, 2026google.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Storage counting
    Original and Storage saver both count
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.google.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Pre-2021 uploads
    High quality uploads before June 2021 do not count
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.google.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Paid storage
    Google One plans up to 5 TB
    Checked Oct 25, 2026one.google.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Amazon Photos logo

    2. Amazon Photos

    Best for: Amazon Prime members who want a free, full-resolution photo backup

    Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from iCloud Photos

    Unlimited photo storage if you already pay for Prime.

    Pros

    • Unlimited full-resolution photos with Prime
    • Family Vault for pooling family photos
    • Shows photos on Fire TV and Echo Show

    Cons

    • Video storage is limited without paying more
    • Benefit disappears if you cancel Prime
    • Weaker search and editing than Google Photos
    Visit Amazon Photos Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    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 Amazon Photos a good iCloud Photos alternative?

    Verified facts

    1 of 1 verified
    Prime photo storage
    Unlimited, full resolution
    Checked Oct 25, 2026amazon.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Ente Photos logo

    3. Ente Photos

    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 iCloud Photos

    End-to-end encrypted by default, on every platform including Android.

    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 iCloud 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)
  4. Immich logo

    4. Immich

    Best for: Self-hosters who want Google Photos features on their own server

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWeb, iOS, Android, Self-hosted

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from iCloud Photos

    Self-hosted library with iPhone backup and no subscription.

    Pros

    • Feature set close to Google Photos
    • Automatic phone backup with local AI search
    • Free, with no paywalled features

    Cons

    • Needs a server with decent RAM and CPU
    • You are responsible for backups and updates
    • Fast development means occasional breaking changes
    Visit Immich Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    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 Immich a good iCloud Photos alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    GNU AGPL v3
    Checked Oct 25, 2026docs.immich.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Paywalled features
    None promised
    Checked Oct 25, 2026docs.immich.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Mobile apps
    Android and iOS
    Checked Oct 25, 2026immich.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Face recognition
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026docs.immich.app(opens source in a new tab)
  5. Mylio Photos logo

    5. Mylio Photos

    Best for: People with large libraries who want privacy and no cloud storage bills

    Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, iOS, Android

    55.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from iCloud Photos

    Keep the library on your own devices and sync it without a cloud.

    Pros

    • Syncs between your devices with no cloud needed
    • AI tagging, faces and duplicate cleanup
    • Works across Windows, Mac, iOS and Android

    Cons

    • Multi-device sync requires a subscription
    • Devices must be on to sync
    • Busy interface with a learning curve
    Visit Mylio Photos Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    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 Mylio Photos a good iCloud Photos alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    Platforms
    Mac, Windows, Android, iOS
    Checked Oct 25, 2026mylio.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Sync method
    Peer-to-peer, no cloud uploads needed
    Checked Oct 25, 2026mylio.com(opens source in a new tab)
    AI tagging
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026mylio.com(opens source in a new tab)
  6. Photomator logo

    6. Photomator

    Best for: Apple users who want serious photo edits without leaving their Photos library

    PaidmacOS, iOS

    38.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from iCloud Photos

    Edits your iCloud Photos library directly with RAW support, AI masks and batch edits.

    Pros

    • Edits the Apple Photos library directly with no import step
    • AI masks, Denoise and Repair tool built in
    • One licence across Mac, iPhone and iPad

    Cons

    • Apple platforms only
    • No layers for compositing
    • Long-term future less certain now Apple owns it
    Visit Photomator Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.37
    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 Photomator a good iCloud Photos alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    RAW support
    750+ formats
    Checked Oct 25, 2026pixelmator.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Licence
    One licence for Mac, iPad, iPhone and Vision Pro
    Checked Oct 25, 2026pixelmator.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Apple Photos sync
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026pixelmator.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Batch editing
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026pixelmator.com(opens source in a new tab)
  7. Darkroom logo

    7. Darkroom

    Best for: iPhone photographers who want advanced edits on their Apple Photos library

    Free plan + paidiOS, macOS

    38.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from iCloud Photos

    Applies curves, masks and film looks to your Apple Photos library on iPhone, iPad and Mac.

    Pros

    • Edits Apple Photos directly with no import
    • Same grading tools for photos and 4K video
    • Every tool can be tried free before paying

    Cons

    • Apple devices only
    • Premium features need a Darkroom+ subscription to export
    • No layers or compositing
    Visit Darkroom Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.37
    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 Darkroom a good iCloud Photos alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Library
    Edits Apple Photos directly
    Checked Oct 25, 2026darkroom.co(opens source in a new tab)
    Paid tier
    Darkroom+ (needed only to export)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026darkroom.co(opens source in a new tab)
    Video
    4K grading and export
    Checked Oct 25, 2026darkroom.co(opens source in a new tab)
    Award
    Apple Design Award
    Checked Oct 25, 2026darkroom.co(opens source in a new tab)

The best iCloud Photos alternative for…

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

Google Photos logo

Best iCloud Photos alternative for most people

Google Photos

Works on Android too, with stronger search and more free space.

Immich logo

Best iCloud Photos alternative for a free option

Immich

Self-hosted library with iPhone backup and no subscription.

Amazon Photos logo

Best iCloud Photos alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Amazon Photos

Unlimited photo storage if you already pay for Prime.

Ente Photos logo

Best iCloud Photos alternative for open source

Ente Photos

End-to-end encrypted by default, on every platform including Android.

Ente Photos logo

Best iCloud Photos alternative for self-hosting

Ente Photos

End-to-end encrypted by default, on every platform including Android.

Mylio Photos logo

Best iCloud Photos alternative for Mac

Mylio Photos

Keep the library on your own devices and sync it without a cloud.

Amazon Photos logo

Best iCloud Photos alternative for Windows

Amazon Photos

Unlimited photo storage if you already pay for Prime.

Ente Photos logo

Best iCloud Photos alternative for Linux

Ente Photos

End-to-end encrypted by default, on every platform including Android.

Google Photos logo

Best iCloud Photos alternative for iPhone and Android

Google Photos

Works on Android too, with stronger search and more free space.

Google Photos logo

Best iCloud Photos alternative for working in the browser

Google Photos

Works on Android too, with stronger search and more free space.

iCloud Photos alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to iCloud Photos?

Google Photos ranks first right now. Works on Android too, with stronger search and more free space. Amazon Photos and Ente Photos follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to iCloud Photos?

Yes. Google 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 iCloud Photos?

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

Which iCloud Photos alternatives work on Linux?

Ente Photos runs on Linux.

Why do people switch from iCloud Photos?

The complaints we hear most: only 5 GB free; no Android app; bulk export out of iCloud is slow.

How is this list ranked?

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