Google Photos vs iCloud Backup

Google Photos8.1Visit iCloud Backup7.9Visit

Higher score Google Photos #3 in Mobile Data Backup Software 8.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 2 features Visit Google Photos

vs

iCloud Backup #5 in Mobile Data Backup Software 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 2 features Visit Apple

• Google Photos fits best

  People who mainly need photo and video backup

• iCloud Backup fits best

  iPhone users wanting automatic full-device backup

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Side by side

Feature	Google Photos 8.1/10 Visit ↗	iCloud Backup 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.1	7.9
Ranking	#3 in Mobile Data Backup Software	#5 in Mobile Data Backup Software
Best for	People who mainly need photo and video backup	iPhone users wanting automatic full-device backup
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	$1.99/mo	—
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Mobile	Mobile
Platforms	Web, iOS, Android	iOS
Features Google Photos 0/2 · iCloud Backup 0/2
Automatic backup	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
End-to-end encryption	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Mobile platforms	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Backup scope	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Cloud storage limit	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Device limit	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Restore options	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Automatically backs up photos and videos, including supported 4K files Searches by people, places, and things, with face grouping Shared albums, partner sharing, and original-quality storage	Automatically backs up over Wi-Fi when powered and locked Includes device settings, app data, and Home Screen layout Restore a backup during setup of a replacement or erased device
Cons	Storage is shared with Google Drive and Gmail Device backup scope is narrower than media-focused backup Paid plans cost more as storage needs grow	Available on iOS only Backs up photos and messages only when they are not already synced to iCloud No computer or server backup
Our verdict	Google Photos is a cloud service for backing up, organizing, editing, and sharing photos and videos. Its automatic backup and search tools make it a fit for people who mainly need their mobile media protected and easy to find, rather than… Read the review →	iCloud Backup is Apple’s cloud backup feature for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Vision Pro. It is aimed at people who want device information and settings copied automatically and the option to restore them while setting up a replacement or… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Google Photos — where it wins

  • Automatically backs up photos and videos, including supported 4K files
  • Searches by people, places, and things, with face grouping
  • Shared albums, partner sharing, and original-quality storage

  Where it doesn't

  • Storage is shared with Google Drive and Gmail
  • Device backup scope is narrower than media-focused backup
  • Paid plans cost more as storage needs grow

• iCloud Backup — where it wins

  • Automatically backs up over Wi-Fi when powered and locked
  • Includes device settings, app data, and Home Screen layout
  • Restore a backup during setup of a replacement or erased device

  Where it doesn't

  • Available on iOS only
  • Backs up photos and messages only when they are not already synced to iCloud
  • No computer or server backup

• Google Photos8.1/10 · Free plan

  A focused choice for mobile photo and video backup, with storage shared across Google services.

  Visit Google PhotosFull verdict →
• iCloud Backup7.9/10 · Free plan

  Automatic iOS backups with device-setup restore and storage plans from free to 12TB.

  Visit AppleFull verdict →