11 Best Google Photos Alternatives To Use

Google Photos alternative

With so many free features, Google Photos is one of the finest choices for online photo storage. But for a variety of reasons, some people find it objectionable. For some people, Google Photos is not secure enough, for others, they just need something different.

You’ll be surprised to know that Google Photos has a lot of competitors that offer equivalent or almost better services than Google Photos. In this post, we’ll explore some of the Google Photos alternatives you need to try.

Keep in mind that you need to read this post to the end for you to get all the juicy details we have.

WHY YOU NEED A GOOGLE PHOTO ALTERNATIVE

Although it’s a fantastic app, Google Photos has a few issues. Three years ago, when Google announced free, unlimited photo uploads, a lot of people hopped on the Google Photos bandwagon. That agreement expired on June 1, 2021. This change of policy is enough for most people to search for an alternative.

Sometime in 2022, due to a purported “technical issue,” Google Photos suffered a privacy breach where users’ private videos were exposed to outsiders. Unowned videos were sent to certain users. The problem, which impacted less than 0.01 percent of Google Photos customers who utilized Takeout, has been resolved by Google. If unfortunately, you were affected by this privacy breach, I’m sure you’ll immediately seek alternatives.

The lack of a password-protection feature in Google Photos is annoying. You might not want to share some sensitive photos with others. What if you were to open it in public and the secret one popped out of nowhere? You won’t find it funny at all. The password protection mechanism can be useful in these situations.

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HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST GOOGLE PHOTOS ALTERNATIVE 

1. Data Security And Privacy

When you want to choose a Google Photos alternative, give preference to options that prioritize privacy and data security via user-controlled access and encryption. Verify whether the privacy practices of the alternative correspond with your comfort level about data usage.

2. Storage

When choosing a Google Photos alternative, you need to check the amount of storage space you need for your videos and pictures. Consider whether the alternative provides sufficient free storage or reasonably priced paid plans for the amount of your collection.

3. Features

You also need to look for features like automatic organizing, labeling, and search capabilities that fit your usage habits. Think of functions like shared photo albums, photo editing, and photo sharing with friends and family. If these features are not present, you probably should look elsewhere.

4. Community And Sharing

If you enjoy being a part of the community, take into account options with vibrant user communities where you can meet other enthusiasts. Consider the possibilities for sharing and whether the alternative facilitates team efforts.

5. Subscription

Find out if the alternative provides free storage or if further features or storage require a membership. Make sure the subscription price matches your budget by comparing it to the services and perks available.

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11 BEST GOOGLE PHOTOS ALTERNATIVE TO USE

The following are some of the best Google Photos alternatives we think you should try:

1. iCloud

Google Photos alternative

At the top of our list of the best Google Photos alternatives is iCloud. iCloud, Apple’s built-in cloud backup solution, is undoubtedly already recognizable to iOS users. It provides the easiest way to back up images from your iPhone or iPad because of its smooth integration.

The Apple iCloud offers up to 5GB of free storage to all owners of iPhones, iPads, and Mac computers. If you need to upgrade, you can pay $0.99, $2.99, or $9.99 a month for 50GB, 200GB, or 2TB of data (the 2TB plan can be shared with family).

Additionally, customers can choose to combine iCloud storage with Apple One, which comes with Apple TV+, Apple Music, and Apple Arcade. Starting at $14.95 per month, Apple One plans offer 50GB of storage. For $19.95 a month, the family plan—which can be shared by up to five people—increases storage to 200GB.

2. OneDrive

Next on our list of best Google Photos alternatives is OneDrive. OneDrive from Microsoft is a potent all-purpose online storage option. The capacity to upload nearly any kind of file and the large account size make up for the restricted options for photo storage. It features strong file protection layers, auto-categorization functions, file organizing options, and high usability for Windows users.

OneDrive offers 5GB of storage for free accounts and a 100GB tier for $19.99 a year. Its 1TB plan costs only $59.99 annually. The Office productivity toolkit and free Skype perks are also included in the 1TB OneDrive Tier. OneDrive is a cost-free option for photo storage for Microsoft users who currently have a subscription to Microsoft 365.

Although it is less appealing to non-Microsoft users, there are benefits over competing services, such as the cost of larger storage tiers and built-in security that allows you to keep pictures in a safe location (Personal Vault).

3. Dropbox

Dropbox is next on our list of best Google Photos alternatives. Since its launch in 2008, Dropbox has been a favorite among industry insiders. Dropbox offers a small range of capabilities with some enticing benefits in terms of shareability and storage capacity, but it does not specifically target customers who need photo storage. 

Only 2GB is available for free accounts (Basic), which are more suited for documents than photo albums. They do, however, offer secure settings and apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android plus sharing and collaboration tools. The amount of the account storage is the main distinction between the Individual Plus membership tier and the Basic account. 

Dropbox connects with third-party apps like Pixlr, a picture editor, and can automatically sync photos from your devices to the cloud. Dropbox is definitely for you if you currently have a subscription and wish to save a large number of images as a safe backup. Its file storage capacity and size are unparalleled.

4. Amazon Photos

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Another outstanding Google Photos alternative is Amazon Photos. Amazon Photos is a cloud service available on iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows for those with free Amazon accounts and those with paid Prime accounts. It has some features like facial recognition and metadata scanning for intelligent labeling and simple search,

This is an excellent alternative for casual users even if it only offers 5GB for non-Prime members. It is only $1.99 a month to add 100GB of space to a free account, which is a great deal when compared to Google Photos. With just $14.99 a month, Prime members receive secure family sharing through the Family Vault, unlimited storage, photo editing, and intelligent collation using metadata.

5. Flickr

Flickr is next on our list of best Google Photos alternatives. After more than 16 years of operation, Flickr is still regarded as one of the most reliable cloud-based photo storage providers. This company has solidified its position as the preferred choice for serious photographers by providing social media visibility and insights via the Flickr public platform.

As an appealing Google Photos alternative, Flickr has a straightforward and well-designed interface. Users can download photographs in various sizes and resolutions, tag them, and share them. For casual users, the 1,000 photo limit for free accounts—roughly 2 to 3GB of images—will be sufficient.

Pro accounts (starting at $6 per month) offer limitless storage, ad-free surfing, and the ability to view analytics for all photographs on the Flickr network. For photographers who want a larger global audience to see their work, this is a feature that appeals to them. 

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6. SmugMug

SmugMug is another good Google Photos alternative you need to try. It provides limitless photo cloud storage at full resolution, something that a great deal of other Google Photos alternatives fail to deliver. However, this is not your average cloud storage company, SmugMug is dedicated to photographers only. 

Thus, in addition to hosting photos online, users can quickly create their websites by dragging and dropping content boxes into place. With detailed customization available to higher-level members across the board, the results are remarkably polished. It is a fantastic method to support photographers in reaching a wider audience and uniquely showcasing their work.

Unfortunately, there are no options for free storage here. All options, however, allow access, with monthly subscriptions beginning at $11. 

7. Adobe Creative Cloud

Google Photos alternative

Another Google Photos alternative worth mentioning is Adobe Creative Cloud. For media professionals who wish to have constant access to their images and videos on several platforms, Adobe Creative Cloud is a terrific option. Another benefit is that the package includes access to Adobe’s robust photo and video editing tools.

Although Adobe Creative Cloud is pricey, it offers a good range of capabilities. It provides great integration with other Adobe products and can be included in bundles as part of Adobe’s Creative Cloud. If all you want to do is store your images, then the photography bundle is a wonderful place to start. In case you were wondering, that bundle includes 1TB of Creative Cloud storage, Adobe Lightroom, and Adobe Photoshop and costs $20 per month.

On the other hand, those working on video projects can purchase a comparable package that grants access to programs such as Premier Pro and After Effects. Since all of these bundles are somewhat pricey, just consider them if you want to use the Adobe software that comes with the storage. Make sure to check it out as all of the Adobe programs are available to teachers and students, along with 100GB of free storage.

8. 500px

Next on our list of best Google Photos alternatives is 500px. Professional photographers and designers who want to share their work and engage with other users on the platform will find 500px to be an enticing alternative. The ability for users to license the photographs to others for a nominal price is this platform’s greatest strength. You can also search, discover amazing photos, join interest groups, and win thrilling prizes.

500px offers 10GB of free storage and two paid plans: Awesome subscription at $60 per year and Pro account at $120 per year.

9. pCloud

pCloud is next on our list of best Google Photos alternatives. pCloud’s lifetime subscription is what separates it from some of the best Google Photos substitutes. You can use this site for free without having to pay anything extra after paying a one-time upfront cost. Perfect for anyone eager to avoid Google’s exorbitant membership fees. 

For $175, the most affordable lifetime subscription offers 500GB of storage. If this isn’t sufficient, however, 2TB of storage can be purchased for $350. There are yearly plans available if you would like not to make a sizable flat payment.

Your pictures and videos are automatically uploaded to the cloud by pCloud and you can set up automatic device syncing. You can use pCloud backups if you store your images on online platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Dropbox, OneDrive, and Google Drive.

Moreover, pCloud excels in security, offering 256-bit encryption for all files kept on its servers. A wide range of feature-rich file management features are also included, such as the capacity to reverse your account by 30 days, remote upload, data recovery, online document previews, and file versioning.

10. PhotoPrism

Google Photos alternative

PhotoPrism is also one of the best Google Photos alternatives. Those seeking a more private and decentralized photo management solution are increasingly turning to PhotoPrism. 

PhotoPrism is an AI photo software that finds and tags photos for you without interfering. PhotoPrism is an easy way to manage and view your images from anywhere, whether you prefer to use it on a private server, at home, or online.

The ability of PhotoPrism to automatically classify photographs based on keywords and other metadata is one of its best features. It can help you find the photos you’re looking for quickly. You can easily sort and filter your images by location and the people in them with the help of the app’s facial recognition and geocoding features. 

PhotoPrism is a great substitute for customers who are worried about the security of their data because of its emphasis on privacy and decentralization.

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11. Piwigo

Concluding our list of the best Google Photos alternatives is Piwigo. Piwigo is a good option if you’re looking for a high-end alternative to Google Photos. It’s reasonably priced, has great customer care, and offers cutting-edge capabilities. With Piwigo, you have two options: self-hosted or cloud storage, depending on what best fits your needs.

Piwigo’s basic subscription, which starts at $9, gives you 50GB of storage space in addition to a ton of other goodies. Piwigo lets you submit music, photos, and video files in various formats. You can share your account with as many people as you like because there is no limit on the number of users; however, the number of administrators varies depending on the plan you choose.

FAQs

Does Google Photos Have a Business App?

There isn’t a Google Photos app for businesses right now. It’s not possible to make your complete Google Photos account public because accounts are by default private. Your Google Photos library will be private, but you may use the app to share images and videos on social media and share links to your albums.

Are there any free Google Photos alternatives?

Yes, there are plenty of free Google Photos alternatives accessible; among the greatest are Dropbox, Microsoft OneDrive, and Amazon Photos.

Is it worth paying for Google Photos storage?

Given that Google Photos only offers 15GB of storage and features like eliminating photobombers, Portrait Blur, Color Pop, and more, it is worth the money. Spend your money on Google Photo without giving it much thought. You won’t later regret making this choice.

Is Google getting rid of free photo storage?

No, Google is not eliminating free photo storage; rather, it is only discontinuing Google Photos’ unlimited free storage option. Google discontinued the Google Photos unlimited storage plan on June 1, 2021. Users can choose to continue using their 15GB of free storage or to subscribe to Google One.

SUMMARY

Google Photos has been available for a while and has improved the quality of its service. Thus far, Google Photos has proven itself to be a great choice. But for reasons best known to you, you’re in search of an alternative.

We hope you found our list of the best Google Photos alternatives very helpful. Feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.

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