Apple Photos vs Noodle Gallery

Apple Photos9.2Visit Noodle Gallery7.8Visit

Higher score Apple Photos #2 in Photo Storage Services 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 6 of 6 features Visit Apple Photos

vs

Noodle Gallery #15 in Photo Storage Services 7.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 6 features Visit Noodle Gallery

• Apple Photos fits best

  Apple households using multiple devices

• Noodle Gallery fits best

  Self-hosted families using object storage

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.

Side by side

Feature	Apple Photos 9.2/10 Visit ↗	Noodle Gallery 7.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.2	7.8
Ranking	#2 in Photo Storage Services	#15 in Photo Storage Services
Best for	Apple households using multiple devices	Self-hosted families using object storage
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free
Starting price	$0.99/mo	Free
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile	Self-hosted, Mobile, Browser extension
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support	Docs	Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Apple Photos 6/6 · Noodle Gallery 5/6
Original-quality storage	✓	✓
Face search	✓	✓
Shared albums	✓	✓
Family sharing	✓	✓
Desktop app	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Video backup	✓	✓
Specs
Free storage	5 GB	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Automatic full-resolution photo and video syncing Face grouping, Memories, and synchronized editing Shared libraries and albums with family features	AI search, face recognition, and chronological media browsing Mobile backup, Google Photos import, and broad media support Shared Spaces, albums, roles, and public sharing
Cons	The free plan includes only 5GB of storage Non-Apple coverage is narrower than Apple-platform support Larger libraries require a paid iCloud+ plan	Requires users to provide their own hardware or storage Storage costs are separate from the free software Self-hosting requires more setup than a hosted photo service
Our verdict	Apple Photos uses iCloud Photos to store and sync photo and video libraries across iPhone, iPad, Mac, iCloud.com, and Windows PCs. It is designed for households using multiple Apple devices that want original-format, full-resolution… Read the review →	Noodle Gallery is an open-source, self-hosted photo and video platform for individuals, families, and teams that want to manage their media on their own infrastructure. Its core experience combines a chronological timeline with albums,… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Apple Photos — where it wins

  • Automatic full-resolution photo and video syncing
  • Face grouping, Memories, and synchronized editing
  • Shared libraries and albums with family features

  Where it doesn't

  • The free plan includes only 5GB of storage
  • Non-Apple coverage is narrower than Apple-platform support
  • Larger libraries require a paid iCloud+ plan

• Noodle Gallery — where it wins

  • AI search, face recognition, and chronological media browsing
  • Mobile backup, Google Photos import, and broad media support
  • Shared Spaces, albums, roles, and public sharing

  Where it doesn't

  • Requires users to provide their own hardware or storage
  • Storage costs are separate from the free software
  • Self-hosting requires more setup than a hosted photo service

• Apple Photos9.2/10 · Free plan

  A capable photo library for Apple households, with affordable entry pricing and limited free storage.

  Visit Apple PhotosFull verdict →
• Noodle Gallery7.8/10 · Free plan

  A broad, open-source photo library for families willing to manage their own storage.

  Visit Noodle GalleryFull verdict →