The Best Photo Storage Services in 2026
We researched photo storage services through official websites, including pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. Rankings reflect the category’s core job, value for money and verified features such as storage, organization, sharing and quality options.
Our top picks
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Top ranked
Google Photos#1 of 709.4/10An easy photo backup service with broad search, editing, sharing, and device coverage.
Free plan
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Runner-up
Apple Photos#2 of 709.2/10A capable photo library for Apple households, with affordable entry pricing and limited free storage.
Free plan
-
Top-ranked free plan
Amazon Photos#3 of 709.0/10A capable photo backup and sharing service, especially for Prime members.
Free plan
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
The full ranking 70 tools, best first · page 1 of 2
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Best forMost people wanting effortless photo backup
An easy photo backup service with broad search, editing, sharing, and device coverage.
- Face search
- Family sharing
- Original-quality storage
9.4/10★★★★★Visit Google Photos -
Best forApple households using multiple devices
A capable photo library for Apple households, with affordable entry pricing and limited free storage.
- Desktop app
- Face search
- Family sharing
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Apple Photos -
Best forPrime members needing full-resolution storage
A capable photo backup and sharing service, especially for Prime members.
- Desktop app
- Face search
- Family sharing
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Amazon Photos -
Best forSynology NAS owners wanting a private library
A capable private photo library for Synology NAS owners who want control and depth.
- Desktop app
- Face search
- Family sharing
8.9/10★★★★☆Try Synology Photos -
Best forPhotographers wanting established sharing tools
A mature photo-sharing service with broad upload, organization, and backup options.
- Desktop app
- Original-quality storage
- Shared albums
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Flickr -
Best forPhotographers selling prints and downloads
A full-resolution photo hub with strong galleries and built-in sales tools.
- Desktop app
- Original-quality storage
- Shared albums
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit SmugMug -
Best forOrganizations needing gallery governance
A flexible photo library for organizations that need permissions, metadata, and deployment choice.
- Original-quality storage
- Shared albums
- Video backup
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Piwigo -
Best forOpen-source self-hosters wanting modern features
A feature-rich open-source photo library for people comfortable running their own server.
- Face search
- Original-quality storage
- Shared albums
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Immich -
Best forSelf-hosters wanting rich photo organization
A capable self-hosted library for organizing, searching, and sharing personal media.
- Face search
- Original-quality storage
- Shared albums
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit PhotoPrism -
Best forOpen-source users wanting AI search
A feature-rich self-hosted library for open-source users who want AI photo search.
- Face search
- Original-quality storage
- Shared albums
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit LibrePhotos -
Best forPrivacy-focused families and individuals
A privacy-focused photo backup service with strong search, sharing, and family features.
- Desktop app
- Face search
- Family sharing
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Ente Photos -
Best forQNAP owners wanting AI photo management
A capable AI photo manager for QNAP owners who want self-hosted storage.
- Face search
- Shared albums
- Video backup
8.1/10★★★★☆Explore QuMagie -
Best forBroad backup coverage beyond photo libraries
A broad backup service for photos, devices, servers, and business data.
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit IDrive -
Best forBasic storage with image hosting and embeds
A practical choice for basic storage, sharing, and image hosting with embeds.
- Family sharing
- Original-quality storage
- Shared albums
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Photobucket -
Best forSelf-hosted families using object storage
A broad, open-source photo library for families willing to manage their own storage.
- Face search
- Family sharing
- Original-quality storage
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Noodle Gallery -
Best forDesktop-first personal photo libraries
A metadata-rich, desktop-first library for organizing photos and videos on your hardware.
- Desktop app
- Face search
- Original-quality storage
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit PhotoStructure -
Best forNextcloud users needing photo timelines
A capable open-source photo library for people already running Nextcloud.
- Face search
- Original-quality storage
- Shared albums
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Memories -
Best forSelf-hosters wanting albums and original downloads
A capable self-hosted photo library with original downloads, albums, and controlled sharing.
- Face search
- Original-quality storage
- Shared albums
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit Lychee -
Best forSimple filesystem-based self-hosted galleries
A free, open-source gallery for organizing and sharing media from your own server.
- Face search
- Original-quality storage
- Shared albums
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit Photoview -
Best forSelf-hosters needing advanced photo analysis
A capable open-source choice for self-hosters who want deep photo analysis.
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit Photonix -
Best forSelf-hosters wanting encrypted AI photo search
A broad self-hosted photo library for private storage, organization, and discovery.
- Face search
- Video backup
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit OpenPhotos -
Best forPower users managing photos across services
A powerful cross-service photo library for users who need advanced organization.
- Desktop app
- Face search
- Family sharing
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit Mylio Photos -
Best forUsers prioritizing encrypted cross-device storage
A privacy-focused photo vault with broad device support and a small free tier.
- Desktop app
- Original-quality storage
- Shared albums
7.0/10★★★★☆Visit Stingle Photos -
Best forCross-device storage with family sharing
A private, cross-device family cloud with photo uploads, sharing and backups.
- Desktop app
- Family sharing
- Shared albums
6.9/10★★★☆☆Visit Permafiles -
Best forUsers prioritizing encrypted photo storage
A privacy-focused photo vault with original files, sharing controls, and cross-device access.
- Original-quality storage
- Shared albums
- Video backup
6.8/10★★★☆☆Try Paranoid Photos -
Best forUsers wanting simple AI-organized mobile storage
A simple hosted photo library with AI search, automatic backup, and sharing tools.
- Face search
- Shared albums
- Video backup
6.7/10★★★☆☆Visit Axcel-Lab -
Best forFamilies wanting unlimited shared photo storage
Trove combines unlimited original-quality photo storage with family newsletters and sharing.
- Face search
- Family sharing
- Original-quality storage
6.6/10★★★☆☆Visit Trove -
Best forFamilies wanting unlimited free uploads
A family-focused photo service with unlimited free storage and private sharing.
- Face search
- Family sharing
- Shared albums
6.5/10★★★☆☆Visit FamilyAlbum -
Best forAffordable encrypted family photo backup
Affordable encrypted backup for families who want original-quality photo storage.
- Desktop app
- Face search
- Family sharing
6.4/10★★★☆☆Visit zeitkapsl -
Best forBudget users wanting private family storage
A low-cost private library with original-quality uploads and family sharing.
- Face search
- Family sharing
- Original-quality storage
6.3/10★★★☆☆Visit Ohhi -
Best forStudents and families wanting simple cloud backup
A web-based photo library with original-quality backup and 20 GB of free storage.
- Original-quality storage
- Video backup
6.2/10★★★☆☆Visit Keeptiva -
Best forSmall groups sharing organized media
A low-cost, invite-only media hub with sharing tools and organization plans.
- Shared albums
6.1/10★★★☆☆Visit PhotoCircle -
Best forUsers creating shared albums and photo books
A flexible photo-sharing service with unlimited storage and paid original-quality backup.
- Original-quality storage
- Shared albums
- Video backup
6.0/10★★★☆☆Visit MyAlbum -
Best forPrivate child and family updates
A family-focused space for private child updates, galleries, and milestones.
- Family sharing
- Original-quality storage
- Shared albums
5.9/10★★★☆☆Visit 23snaps -
Best forMobile users wanting rich personal organization
A feature-rich personal photo library for mobile users who want organized cloud storage.
- Face search
- Shared albums
- Video backup
5.8/10★★★☆☆Try Pixxle Memories -
Best forWindows users who prioritize photo editing
A capable Windows editor with storage features, but not a platform-neutral photo vault.
5.7/10★★★☆☆Visit Zoner -
Best forLinux self-hosters wanting local processing
A focused open-source library for local photo processing and private media storage.
- Face search
- Original-quality storage
- Shared albums
5.6/10★★★☆☆Visit Imadeo -
Best forSelf-hosted public gallery operators
A capable open-source gallery for operators who want control over their own media.
5.5/10★★★☆☆Visit HomeGallery -
Best forSelf-hosted metadata-heavy collections
A deep cataloging system for self-hosted, metadata-heavy photo collections.
- Desktop app
- Face search
5.4/10★★★☆☆Visit Damselfly -
Best forAndroid users wanting a simple private backup
A free, private Android backup system for users who control their own storage.
- Original-quality storage
- Video backup
5.3/10★★★☆☆Visit Recallio -
Best forPrivate family groups wanting unlimited storage
A private family archive with unlimited storage, shared memories, and web access.
- Family sharing
- Original-quality storage
- Shared albums
5.2/10★★★☆☆Visit Clann -
Best forPublic galleries needing broad format support
A web-based gallery with broad format support, sharing controls, and full-resolution downloads.
- Original-quality storage
- Shared albums
- Video backup
5.1/10★★★☆☆Visit Zonerama -
Best forParents tracking children’s photo timelines
A family-focused photo journal for organizing children’s memories over time.
- Family sharing
- Original-quality storage
- Video backup
5.0/10★★☆☆☆Visit BackThen -
Best forPrivacy-first users storing photos with documents
A privacy-first storage service that combines encrypted photos with a broad document workspace.
4.9/10★★☆☆☆Visit Cryptee -
Best forShared albums with guest contributions
A focused choice for original-resolution albums with guest contributions.
- Original-quality storage
- Shared albums
- Video backup
4.8/10★★☆☆☆Visit Yogile -
Best forEvent photographers collecting guest photos
A focused event photo hub with face, jersey, QR, SMS, and contributor tools.
- Face search
- Family sharing
- Shared albums
4.7/10★★☆☆☆Visit Waldo Photos -
Best forFamilies combining photos with journaling
A private family journal that combines photo storage, sharing, milestones, and photo books.
- Family sharing
- Shared albums
- Video backup
4.6/10★★☆☆☆Visit Tinybeans -
Best forFamilies wanting a shared timeline with offline access
A family-focused photo archive with shared timelines, offline access, and a useful free tier.
- Family sharing
- Shared albums
- Video backup
4.5/10★★☆☆☆Visit Remember When -
Best forEncrypted photo backup across Apple devices
A privacy-first photo backup service with Apple-device coverage and personal-key encryption.
- Desktop app
- Video backup
4.4/10★★☆☆☆Visit Photokeep -
Best forPrivate family timelines
A mobile-only family timeline with private sharing, chat, and stated unlimited storage.
- Family sharing
- Shared albums
- Video backup
4.3/10★★☆☆☆Visit Momatu
No tools match those filters.
Compare at a glance
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Original-quality storage | Face search | Shared albums | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Google Photos | Yes | $1.99/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.4 |
| 2 | Apple Photos | Yes | $0.99/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.2 |
| 3 | Amazon Photos | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.0 | |
| 4 | Synology Photos | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.9 |
| 5 | Flickr | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | 8.7 | |
| 6 | SmugMug | No | $20/mo | Yes | Yes | 8.6 | |
| 7 | Piwigo | Yes | €32/mo | Yes | No | Yes | 8.5 |
| 8 | Immich | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.4 |
| 9 | PhotoPrism | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.3 | |
| 10 | LibrePhotos | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.2 |
| 11 | Ente Photos | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.1 | |
| 12 | QuMagie | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | 8.1 | |
| 13 | IDrive | Yes | 8.0 | ||||
| 14 | Photobucket | Yes | $5/mo | Yes | Yes | 7.9 | |
| 15 | Noodle Gallery | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.8 |
| 16 | PhotoStructure | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.7 | ||
| 17 | Memories | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.6 |
| 18 | Lychee | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.5 | |
| 19 | Photoview | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.4 |
| 20 | Photonix | Free | 7.3 | ||||
| 21 | OpenPhotos | Free | Yes | 7.2 | |||
| 22 | Mylio Photos | No | $240/user/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.1 |
| 23 | Stingle Photos | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.0 | ||
| 24 | Permafiles | Yes | £1.99/mo | Yes | 6.9 | ||
| 25 | Paranoid Photos | Yes | $2.08/mo | Yes | Yes | 6.8 | |
| 26 | Axcel-Lab Photos | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | 6.7 | |
| 27 | Trove | Yes | $4.99/mo | Yes | Yes | 6.6 | |
| 28 | FamilyAlbum | Yes | $2.99/mo | Yes | Yes | 6.5 | |
| 29 | zeitkapsl | No | €20/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | 6.4 |
| 30 | Ohhi | Yes | €0.50/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | 6.3 |
| 31 | Keeptiva | Yes | Free | Yes | 6.2 | ||
| 32 | PhotoCircle | Yes | $9.99/yr | Yes | 6.1 | ||
| 33 | MyAlbum | Yes | €8.99/mo | Yes | Yes | 6.0 | |
| 34 | 23snaps | Yes | Yes | Yes | 5.9 | ||
| 35 | Pixxle Memories | Yes | €2.99/mo | Yes | Yes | 5.8 | |
| 36 | Zoner Photo Studio X | No | $59/yr | 5.7 | |||
| 37 | Imadeo | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | 5.6 | |
| 38 | HomeGallery | Free | 5.5 | ||||
| 39 | Damselfly | Yes | Free | Yes | 5.4 | ||
| 40 | Recallio | Yes | Free | Yes | No | No | 5.3 |
| 41 | Clann | No | Yes | Yes | 5.2 | ||
| 42 | Zonerama | Yes | Yes | Yes | 5.1 | ||
| 43 | BackThen | Yes | $64.99/yr | Yes | 5.0 | ||
| 44 | Cryptee | Yes | €3/mo | 4.9 | |||
| 45 | Yogile | No | $44.99/yr | Yes | No | Yes | 4.8 |
| 46 | Waldo Photos | Yes | $49.99/yr | Yes | Yes | 4.7 | |
| 47 | Tinybeans | Yes | Yes | 4.6 | |||
| 48 | Remember When | Yes | $3.99/mo | Yes | 4.5 | ||
| 49 | Photokeep | Yes | 4.4 | ||||
| 50 | Momatu | Yes | Yes | 4.3 |
Head-to-head All 19 comparisons →
- Google Photos vs Amazon Photos
- Google Photos vs Synology Photos
- Google Photos vs Flickr
- Google Photos vs SmugMug
- Google Photos vs Piwigo
- Apple Photos vs Amazon Photos
- Apple Photos vs SmugMug
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- Amazon Photos vs Synology Photos
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How we rank photo storage services
Every tool on this page was researched by iTechGuides Editors from its official website — pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. We rank on how well each one does this category's core job, what the free or entry plan includes, and where it falls short. Where we have enough verified facts, the score out of 10 is a rubric — job fit, value and how much we could verify — shown with its breakdown on every tool's page; a tool we have not verified enough to score yet shows its rank without a number. Scores are re-checked when a product changes its plans. Read the full editorial policy, or submit a tool we missed.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update