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Head-to-head · Photo Backup Software

Pho vs Recallio

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Pho #5 in Photo Backup Software 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Pho
Recallio #6 in Photo Backup Software 8.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Recallio

Pho leads on 0 checks, Recallio on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scorePho · 8.5/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresPho · 4 of 4

Pho scores higher on our rubric for photo backup software: 8.5 against 8.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #6.

Pho is the better fit for low-cost open-source mobile-to-NAS backup. Recallio is the better fit for simple free Android self-hosted backup.

  • Pho fits best

    Low-cost open-source mobile-to-NAS backup

  • Recallio fits best

    Simple free Android self-hosted backup

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Side by side

Feature Pho 8.5/10 Visit ↗ Recallio 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.5 8.3
Ranking #5 in Photo Backup Software #6 in Photo Backup Software
Best for Low-cost open-source mobile-to-NAS backup Simple free Android self-hosted backup
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price $19.99/yr Free
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Mobile Self-hosted, Cloud, Mobile
Platforms iOS, macOS, Android Web, Linux, Android
Integrations 9 integrations 2 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features Pho 4/4 · Recallio 0/4
Mobile photo backup ✓ (best) Not checked yet
External drive backup ✓ (best) Not checked yet
NAS backup ✓ (best) Not checked yet
RAW photo support ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Version history Not checked yet Not checked yet
Storage model Bring_your_own Not checked yet
Included storage Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Backs up originals, RAW files, HEIC, HEVC, Live Photos, and video
  • Supports SMB, WebDAV, NFS, Google Drive, and S3-compatible storage
  • Adds filters, parallel uploads, encryption, and local-space management
  • Automatic full-resolution photo and video backup from Android
  • Runs on Ubuntu, NAS devices, spare computers, and similar hardware
  • Remote access through Tailscale and WireGuard
Cons
  • The free plan is limited to a local gallery and basic cloud sync
  • Requires users to provide and manage compatible storage destinations
  • Some advanced features require a Pro subscription or lifetime purchase
  • Android is currently supported; iOS is coming soon
  • No verified face search, shared albums, or family sub-accounts
  • Requires self-hosted hardware and local or attached storage
Our verdict

Pho is an open-source mobile photo backup and gallery app for iPhone and Android. It automatically syncs camera-roll originals to storage you provide, including NAS shares, WebDAV, NFS, Google Drive, Baidu Netdisk, and S3-compatible…

Read the review →

Recallio is free, self-hosted software for backing up photos and videos from Android devices to hardware controlled by the user. It suits individuals who want an alternative to cloud photo-storage services and prefer keeping media on local…

Read the review →
  1. PhoPhoto Backup Software 8.5Free plan
  2. RecallioPhoto Backup Software 8.3Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Pho — where it wins

    • Backs up originals, RAW files, HEIC, HEVC, Live Photos, and video
    • Supports SMB, WebDAV, NFS, Google Drive, and S3-compatible storage
    • Adds filters, parallel uploads, encryption, and local-space management

    Where it doesn't

    • The free plan is limited to a local gallery and basic cloud sync
    • Requires users to provide and manage compatible storage destinations
    • Some advanced features require a Pro subscription or lifetime purchase

  • Recallio — where it wins

    • Automatic full-resolution photo and video backup from Android
    • Runs on Ubuntu, NAS devices, spare computers, and similar hardware
    • Remote access through Tailscale and WireGuard

    Where it doesn't

    • Android is currently supported; iOS is coming soon
    • No verified face search, shared albums, or family sub-accounts
    • Requires self-hosted hardware and local or attached storage

More comparisons

All photo backup software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update