Google Photos Alternative: Self Hosted Options Compared

Best self hosted Google Photos alternatives. Compare Immich, PhotoPrism, Lychee, and Nextcloud Photos — free, open source, no storage limits, full privacy control.

Google Photos ended free unlimited storage and scans photos for facial recognition. Self hosting your photo library gives you unlimited storage, full privacy, and no subscription fees. Immich is the most complete Google Photos clone with mobile apps, face recognition, and map view. PhotoPrism adds AI-powered tagging. Nextcloud Photos works if you already run Nextcloud.

Top Alternatives

  • Immich
  • PhotoPrism
  • Lychee
  • Nextcloud Photos

FAQ

  • Immich vs PhotoPrism — which is better?

    Immich is closer to Google Photos with mobile apps for automatic backup. PhotoPrism has better AI tagging and album organization. Many users run both.

  • Can I auto-backup photos from my phone?

    Yes. Immich has official iOS and Android apps that automatically backup photos, just like Google Photos.

  • What is the best self hosted Google Photos alternative?

    Immich is the most feature-complete self hosted Google Photos alternative with mobile apps, face recognition, map view, and sharing. PhotoPrism is easier to set up and has better AI tagging. Lychee is the lightest option for simple album management.

  • Can I run a self hosted photo gallery on Raspberry Pi?

    Yes. PhotoPrism and Lychee both run well on Raspberry Pi 4+. Immich requires more resources but works on Pi 5 or any home server with 4GB+ RAM.