Google Photos vs Synology Photos

Google Photos9.4Visit Synology Photos8.9Visit

Higher score Google Photos #1 in Photo Storage Services 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 6 features Visit Google Photos

vs

Synology Photos #4 in Photo Storage Services 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 6 of 6 features Try Synology Photos

• Google Photos fits best

  Most people wanting effortless photo backup

• Synology Photos fits best

  Synology NAS owners wanting a private library

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Side by side

Feature	Google Photos 9.4/10 Visit ↗	Synology Photos 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	8.9
Ranking	#1 in Photo Storage Services	#4 in Photo Storage Services
Best for	Most people wanting effortless photo backup	Synology NAS owners wanting a private library
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free
Starting price	$1.99/mo	Free
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Mobile	Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension
Platforms	Web, iOS, Android	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Chrome extension
Support	Docs, Community	Live chat, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Google Photos 5/6 · Synology Photos 6/6
Original-quality storage	✓	✓
Face search	✓	✓
Shared albums	✓	✓
Family sharing	✓	✓
Desktop app	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Video backup	✓	✓
Specs
Free storage	15 GB	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Automatic photo and video backup across mobile devices and computers Search by people, places, and things, with face grouping Web, iOS, Android, and desktop app support	Searches by people, places, tags, metadata, and camera attributes Supports RAW, full-resolution photos, mobile backup, and video backup Adds permissions, protected links, face recognition, and automatic albums
Cons	Free storage is shared with Google Drive and Gmail Face Groups availability varies by region, domain, and account type Basic storage remains shared across Google Photos, Drive, and Gmail	Requires a Synology NAS and installed drives Face and object recognition depend on compatible NAS models Synology Image Assistant is a separate desktop utility
Our verdict	Google Photos is a cloud photo and video service for consumers who want automatic backup, searchable organization, editing, and sharing in one library. It supports web, iOS, Android, and an official desktop photo backup application. Users… Read the review →	Synology Photos is a self-hosted photo and video management application for Synology NAS devices running DiskStation Manager. It suits individuals and households that want a private media library, as well as groups that need shared folders… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Google Photos — where it wins

  • Automatic photo and video backup across mobile devices and computers
  • Search by people, places, and things, with face grouping
  • Web, iOS, Android, and desktop app support

  Where it doesn't

  • Free storage is shared with Google Drive and Gmail
  • Face Groups availability varies by region, domain, and account type
  • Basic storage remains shared across Google Photos, Drive, and Gmail

• Synology Photos — where it wins

  • Searches by people, places, tags, metadata, and camera attributes
  • Supports RAW, full-resolution photos, mobile backup, and video backup
  • Adds permissions, protected links, face recognition, and automatic albums

  Where it doesn't

  • Requires a Synology NAS and installed drives
  • Face and object recognition depend on compatible NAS models
  • Synology Image Assistant is a separate desktop utility

• Google Photos9.4/10 · Free plan

  An easy photo backup service with broad search, editing, sharing, and device coverage.

  Visit Google PhotosFull verdict →
• Synology Photos8.9/10 · Free plan

  A capable private photo library for Synology NAS owners who want control and depth.

  Try Synology PhotosFull verdict →