Since Google Photos stopped offering unlimited free storage, users have been searching for free, cheap, and more feature-rich Google Photos alternatives. If privacy is your main concern, it might be time to give your photos and videos a new home online.
Content
- 1. Best for Amazon Prime Subscribers: Amazon Photos
- 2. Best for Privacy: MEGA
- 3. Best for Lifetime Plans: pCloud
- 4. Best for Apple Users: iCloud Photos and Apple One
- 5. Best for Microsoft Users: OneDrive
- 6. Best for Photo Sharing: Flickr
- 7. Self-Hosted Google Photos Alternatives
1. Best for Amazon Prime Subscribers: Amazon Photos
Amazon Photos is easily one of the best Google Photos alternatives. All users get 5GB of free storage for photos and videos. But, Amazon Prime members get unlimited high-quality photo storage included in their membership. Video storage is still limited to 5GB, though it’s only $1.99/month to boost that to 100 GB. Non-Prime members can subscribe to just Photos if they don’t need any other Prime services.
The Amazon Photos app also offers a similar look and feel to Google Photos, including auto-organizing photos by date, offering daily memories, and creating slideshows. Plus, if you own an Echo Show device, you can link your Amazon Photos account to turn your device into a digital photo frame.
2. Best for Privacy: MEGA
MEGA is one of the lesser-known Google Photos alternatives, but it’s an impressive platform. It’s not designed specifically for photos. Instead, it’s more of a cloud storage and collaboration platform for individuals and businesses. However, it still works great for storing and access photos online.
You won’t get any photo-specific features, such as editing or creating slideshows, though. Instead, you’re paying mainly for storage and zero-knowledge encryption. Only you and those you choose to share photos with ever see your data. Not even MEGA employees can see it. You get 20 GB for free, which is more than Google’s 15 GB. It’s only $9/month for 2 TB of storage, with plans for up to 16 TB.
3. Best for Lifetime Plans: pCloud
pCloud is similar to MEGA in terms of privacy. It’s an encrypted cloud storage service for all types of files, including photos. But, unlike most other Google Photos alternatives, you can purchase lifetime plans versus paying monthly or annually. For instance, a 500 GB is $59.88/year or $199/lifetime. You get 10 GB free.
When you purchase a lifetime plan and decide you need more storage, simply buy another lifetime plan. The new quota is added to your existing quota. pCloud offers one of the largest storage plans if you stack plans, such as buying multiple 10 TB lifetime plans. The only downside is encryption is extra ($150/lifetime), but it encrypts client-side as well.
4. Best for Apple Users: iCloud Photos and Apple One
I’m combining iCloud Photos and Apple One since they’re both Apple products and offer photo storage. However, they each work a little differently.
iCloud has long been a popular Google Photos alternative for Apple users. While you only get 5 GB for free, you can upgrade to the 50 GB plan for just $0.99/month, with the largest 12 TB costing just $59.99/month. And, all plans are shareable among up to five family members. If you ever have sync issues, try these troubleshooting steps.
If you’d like to combine multiple Apple products and save money, Apple One is even better. The Apple One bundle includes Music, TV+, Arcade, and iCloud (50GB), starting at $19.95/month. Higher level plans offer more storage and access to up to six Apple services.
5. Best for Microsoft Users: OneDrive
OneDrive is Microsoft’s cloud storage service. It’s comparable to many other Google Photos alternatives. It offers just 5GB for free, but the 100GB plan is just $1.99/month. It syncs to your devices just like Google Drive and Google Photos to automatically back up your photos. Or, turn sync off if you don’t want to auto-sync.
If you already use Office 365 or want to, you’ll save the most by bundling. For $69.99/year, you get 1TB of storage along with Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. The biggest downside is Microsoft only lets you increase your storage to a max of 2 TB per user.
6. Best for Photo Sharing: Flickr
Flickr works differently than other alternatives on this list. Instead of just storing your photos in the cloud, you get to share them with the world. Flickr hosts millions of photos from users all around the globe. Plus, you can join groups, gain an audience for your photos, and enjoy others’ photography skills.
There aren’t any file size limits. Instead, free users are limited 1,000 uploads and only 50 of those can be set to private. Flickr Pro users get unlimited uploads and can set any or all to private or just certain people. It’s $9.49/month or $72.99/year. If you like a social aspect with your photo storage, this could be the perfect option.
7. Self-Hosted Google Photos Alternatives
So far, all I’ve talked about are cloud-based options. But, you’re not forced to rely on someone else. Instead, self-hosted Google Photos alternatives give you full control over your photos, including security. They work by letting you install the app/software on your own device or cloud-based server. Then, use the app to organize and manage your photos. You can even access them from anywhere and share with others as long as the host device is online.
The best part is that many of these are open-source and free. Many also work on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android. Everything stores privately on your devices and you choose what to share and with who. While this list is catered to Linux users, most of the self-host photo management tools listed here are cross-platform.
Whether you’re using a cloud-based alternative or self-hosting, the first thing you need to do is backup your Google Photos to your computer to upload elsewhere.
Image credit: Unsplash, All screenshots by Crystal Crowder
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Crystal Crowder –
Staff Writer
Crystal Crowder has spent over 15 years working in the tech industry, first as an IT technician and then as a writer. She works to help teach others how to get the most from their devices, systems, and apps. She stays on top of the latest trends and is always finding solutions to common tech problems.
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