4 Best Open Source Google Photos Alternatives
A curated collection of the 4 best open source and self-hosted alternatives to Google Photos in 2026.
Looking for a free, privacy-friendly, or self-hosted replacement for Google Photos in 2026? The top open-source alternative is Immich — Self-hosted photo and video backup solution.
Other highly rated open-source Google Photos alternatives include Ente, Lychee and Piwigo.
Self-hosted photo and video backup solution
Immich is a self-hosted photo and video management solution designed to give you complete control over your media library while maintaining privacy. - Automatic Backups: Seamlessly back up photos and videos from mobile devices - Facial Recognition: Automatically tag people in your photos - Advanced Search: Find images by location, date, or content - Cross-Device Sync: Access your media from any device - Privacy-First: All data remains on your own server - Mobile Apps: Native iOS and Android applications available - Album Organization: Create and share albums with others - Metadata Preservation: Maintains original file metadata Immich is built with modern web technologies including Node.js, React, and PostgreSQL. The application can be deployed using Docker containers or directly on bare metal servers. Comprehensive documentation is available for various deployment scenarios including Kubernetes, Docker Compose, and systemd services. The project is actively maintained with regular updates and security patches.
Private, end-to-end encrypted photo storage
Ente Photos is a private, secure photo storage solution designed with end-to-end encryption to ensure your photos remain completely private. Built as a cross-platform application, it supports desktop, mobile, and web platforms while offering open-source transparency and self-hosting capabilities. - End-to-End Encryption: All photos are encrypted before leaving your device, ensuring only you can access them - Cross-Platform Support: Available on iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, and web browsers - 10GB Free Storage: Start with 10GB of free encrypted cloud storage - On-Device Face Recognition: Detect and group faces locally without sending data to servers - Zero-Knowledge AI Search: Search photos using natural language queries without compromising privacy - Smart Albums: Automatic organization of photos into meaningful collections - Family Plans: Share subscriptions with family members at no extra cost - Public Links & Shared Albums: Collaborate and share photos securely with others - Easy Import/Export: Seamless migration of photos in and out of the platform - Widgets: Quick access to memories, albums, and people from your home screen - Hidden Photos: Securely store sensitive photos away from your main library - Legacy Contacts: Designate trusted contacts to access your photos in case of emergency Ente Photos is fully open source with all components available on GitHub. The platform can be self-hosted for complete control over your data storage and infrastructure. The application uses modern encryption standards to ensure data security while maintaining excellent performance across devices.
Self-hosted photo management tool
LycheeOrg is a free, open-source photo management tool designed for photographers and users who value privacy and control. Running entirely on your own server or web space, Lychee allows you to upload, manage, and share photos with ease, mimicking the experience of a native application. - Self-hosted: Install on your own server or web space for complete data ownership - Intuitive Management: Upload, move, rename, describe, delete, or search photos in seconds - Secure Sharing: One-click sharing with password protection for albums - Full-screen Viewing: Navigate photos using keyboard shortcuts in full-screen mode - EXIF & IPTC Support: View and utilize metadata from your photos - Multi-source Import: Import from local storage, servers, URLs, or Dropbox - Tagging System: Organize photos with tags and mark important images - Batch Operations: Desktop-like multi-select for efficient photo management - Beautiful Interface: Intuitive and visually appealing web application - No Storage Limits: Store unlimited photos without compression or data loss LycheeOrg is designed for easy self-hosting with Docker support. Deployment can be completed in seconds using a provided docker-compose file. The project is actively maintained with regular updates and a strong community backing. All source code is available under open-source licenses on GitHub.
Open source photo library and DAM software
Piwigo is an open source digital asset management (DAM) solution and photo library software designed for individuals, businesses, and organizations. Developed and hosted in Europe, it offers flexibility through both cloud and self-hosted options. - Media Organization: Centralize and structure your photo and video library with advanced categorization and tagging. - Search & Discovery: Instantly find any file with powerful search capabilities. - Sharing & Collaboration: Manage access rights and permissions for secure sharing. - Customization: Extend functionality with plugins and themes or modify the code for custom needs. - Security & Privacy: Full control over your data with GDPR-compliant hosting options. - Cloud & Self-Hosted Options: Choose between managed cloud hosting in France or self-hosting on your own infrastructure. - Cross-Platform Support: Access via web, mobile apps (iOS/Android), and API integrations. - No Vendor Lock-in: Export your data at any time with no restrictions. Piwigo is built on PHP and MySQL, with a modular architecture that supports extensive customization. The self-hosted version can be deployed on any server with PHP and MySQL support. Professional support, documentation, and a community forum are available for assistance. The cloud-hosted version is managed by Piwigo in France, ensuring GDPR compliance and data ownership.
About Google Photos
Google Photos is a cloud-based photo storage and management service that helps you organize, edit, and share your memories effortlessly.
Key Features of Google Photos
- AI-powered editing: Use tools like Magic Eraser to remove distractions and Unblur to sharpen blurry photos.
- Automatic organization: AI groups similar photos into stacks and categorizes documents like receipts and screenshots.
- Smart search: Find photos by people, places, or things using advanced AI search capabilities.
- 15GB free storage: Backup and keep memories safe with included cloud storage.
- Easy sharing: Share albums or individual photos with contacts, even if they don’t use Google Photos.
- Cross-platform sync: Works seamlessly across devices, including iPhone and Android.
- Print services: Turn digital memories into physical prints or photo books.
- Privacy-focused: Data isn’t used for ads, and you retain full ownership of your content.
Tech / Self-Hosting
Google Photos is a cloud-based service and does not support self-hosting. It is part of the Google ecosystem and requires an internet connection for most features.