iCloud Photos
Apple's photo sync that keeps the Photos library identical across iPhone, iPad and Mac.
- Verified facts
- 4 of 4
- Alternatives ranked
- 7
- Approved reviews
- 0
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About iCloud Photos
iCloud Photos stores your full Photos library in iCloud and keeps it in sync across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV and iCloud.com. Originals are kept at full resolution in their original formats, including RAW and ProRAW, while Optimize Storage keeps smaller versions on devices that are short on space. Edits, albums and deletions sync everywhere. An iCloud Shared Photo Library lets up to six people pool photos into one collection, and Shared Albums work even with people outside Apple's ecosystem through web links. Search, people recognition and Memories run largely on the device. Storage comes from iCloud+, which starts with a small free allowance that most people outgrow quickly. With Advanced Data Protection turned on, photos are end-to-end encrypted. On Windows there is an iCloud app; there is no Android app, so it is a poor fit for mixed households.
Best for: iPhone and Mac owners who want the Photos app synced everywhere.
Pros and cons
What works
- Seamless sync of edits and albums across Apple devices
- Keeps full-resolution originals, including RAW
- Optional end-to-end encryption
Why people leave
- Only 5 GB free
- No Android app
- Bulk export out of iCloud is slow
Top iCloud Photos alternatives
See all 7- 1
Google Photos66.5Works on Android too, with stronger search and more free space.
- 2
Amazon Photos62.6Unlimited photo storage if you already pay for Prime.
- 3
Ente Photos59.6End-to-end encrypted by default, on every platform including Android.
- 4
Immich57.2Self-hosted library with iPhone backup and no subscription.
- 5
Mylio Photos55.3Keep the library on your own devices and sync it without a cloud.
Why people left iCloud Photos
In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.
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Reviews
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iCloud Photos: common questions
Is iCloud Photos free?
iCloud Photos has a free plan and paid plans.
Is iCloud Photos open source?
No, iCloud Photos is not open source. Open-source alternatives include Ente Photos and Immich.
What platforms does iCloud Photos run on?
iCloud Photos is available for Web, macOS, iOS and Windows.
What are the best alternatives to iCloud Photos?
The highest-ranked iCloud Photos alternatives right now are Google Photos, Amazon Photos and Ente Photos. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.