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Head-to-head · Photo Management Software

Apple Photos vs Synology Photos

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score Apple Photos #2 in Photo Management Software 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Apple Photos
Synology Photos #4 in Photo Management Software 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Try Synology Photos

Apple Photos leads on 0 checks, Synology Photos on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreApple Photos · 9.3/10
  • Free planboth

Apple Photos scores higher on our rubric for photo management software: 9.3 against 9.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #4.

Apple Photos is the better fit for apple households using multiple devices. Synology Photos is the better fit for NAS owners wanting a private photo library.

  • Apple Photos fits best

    Apple households using multiple devices

  • Synology Photos fits best

    NAS owners wanting a private photo library

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Side by side

Feature Apple Photos 9.3/10 Visit ↗ Synology Photos 9.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 9.1
Ranking #2 in Photo Management Software #4 in Photo Management Software
Best for Apple households using multiple devices NAS owners wanting a private photo library
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price $0.99/mo Free
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, iOS Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Chrome extension
Support Docs Live chat, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Apple Photos 0/5 · Synology Photos 0/5
RAW photo support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Face recognition Not checked yet Not checked yet
AI-powered search Not checked yet Not checked yet
Metadata tools Not checked yet Not checked yet
Cloud sync Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Primary platform Not checked yet Not checked yet
Included storage Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Full-resolution original-format storage with automatic device syncing
  • Face grouping, name-based search, Memories, and synchronized editing
  • Shared albums and Shared Photo Library for up to five people
  • Face recognition, metadata search, and conditional albums
  • Folder-level permissions and password-protected share links
  • Mobile backup, RAW support, and full-resolution photos
Cons
  • The free plan includes only 5GB of iCloud storage
  • Its strongest experience is centered on Apple platforms and iCloud
  • Larger libraries require a recurring iCloud+ subscription
  • Requires a Synology NAS and installed storage
  • Recognition features depend on supported NAS models
  • Desktop preview and compressed-video tools are separate
Our verdict

Apple Photos is a photo and video library service built around iCloud Photos, with access across iOS, macOS, the web, and Windows through iCloud for Windows. It suits households using multiple Apple devices that want automatic syncing,…

Read the review →

Synology Photos is a self-hosted photo and video management application for Synology NAS devices running DiskStation Manager. It gives individuals a browser-based library for browsing, searching, organizing, sharing, and backing up media,…

Read the review →
  1. Apple PhotosPhoto Management Software 9.3Free plan
  2. Synology PhotosPhoto Management Software 9.1Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Apple Photos — where it wins

    • Full-resolution original-format storage with automatic device syncing
    • Face grouping, name-based search, Memories, and synchronized editing
    • Shared albums and Shared Photo Library for up to five people

    Where it doesn't

    • The free plan includes only 5GB of iCloud storage
    • Its strongest experience is centered on Apple platforms and iCloud
    • Larger libraries require a recurring iCloud+ subscription

  • Synology Photos — where it wins

    • Face recognition, metadata search, and conditional albums
    • Folder-level permissions and password-protected share links
    • Mobile backup, RAW support, and full-resolution photos

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires a Synology NAS and installed storage
    • Recognition features depend on supported NAS models
    • Desktop preview and compressed-video tools are separate

More comparisons

All photo management software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update