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Head-to-head · Mobile Data Backup Software

Google Photos vs Samsung Cloud

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Google Photos #3 in Mobile Data Backup Software 8.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 2 features Visit Google Photos
Samsung Cloud #7 in Mobile Data Backup Software 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 2 features Visit Samsung Cloud

Google Photos leads on 0 checks, Samsung Cloud on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreGoogle Photos · 8.1/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresSamsung Cloud · 2 of 2

Google Photos scores higher on our rubric for mobile data backup software: 8.1 against 7.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #7.

Google Photos is the better fit for people who mainly need photo and video backup. Samsung Cloud is the better fit for samsung users wanting free device backup.

  • Google Photos fits best

    People who mainly need photo and video backup

  • Samsung Cloud fits best

    Samsung users wanting free device backup

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Side by side

Feature Google Photos 8.1/10 Visit ↗ Samsung Cloud 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.1 7.9
Ranking #3 in Mobile Data Backup Software #7 in Mobile Data Backup Software
Best for People who mainly need photo and video backup Samsung users wanting free device backup
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price $1.99/mo Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Android, Web
Support Docs, Community Live chat
Built for Solo, Small business Solo
Features Google Photos 0/2 · Samsung Cloud 2/2
Automatic backup Not checked yet ✓ (best)
End-to-end encryption Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Mobile platforms Not checked yet Android
Backup scope Not checked yet Selected_data
Cloud storage limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Device limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Restore options Not checked yet In_app
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
  • Choose which supported data categories to back up manually
  • Automatic backups can run every 24 hours when conditions are met
  • Restore selected data and encrypt supported backups with Enhanced data protection
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
  • Backs up selected categories, not a complete copy of device content
  • Availability and supported data vary by device, carrier, software version, and region
  • The web portal cannot download individual device backups
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 →

Samsung Cloud is a cloud backup and restore service for supported Galaxy phones and tablets. It is aimed at Samsung users who want a free way to preserve selected device data and restore it later, rather than create a complete copy of…

Read the review →
  1. Google PhotosMobile Data Backup Software 8.1Free plan
  2. Samsung CloudMobile Data Backup Software 7.9Free plan

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

  • Samsung Cloud — where it wins

    • Choose which supported data categories to back up manually
    • Automatic backups can run every 24 hours when conditions are met
    • Restore selected data and encrypt supported backups with Enhanced data protection

    Where it doesn't

    • Backs up selected categories, not a complete copy of device content
    • Availability and supported data vary by device, carrier, software version, and region
    • The web portal cannot download individual device backups

More comparisons

All mobile data backup software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update