Open-Source Alternatives to Google Photos
Based on our dataset, the self-hostable open-source alternatives to Google Photos are Immich. The Google Photos plan we benchmark is (free 15 GB per Google account; paid Google One plans from $1.99/mo, US).
Data last updated . How we check.
Quick comparison
| Alternative | License | RAM in starter config | Needs Postgres / Redis | Migration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Immich | AGPL-3.0 | 6144 MB | No / No | Moderate |
Immich
Self-hosted photo and video backup with mobile apps, face recognition and smart search
- Official iOS and Android apps with background backup
- Machine-learning container for face recognition and smart search
- Official docs ask for 6 GB RAM minimum, 8 GB recommended
Docker image ghcr.io/immich-app/immich-server:v3.3.5. GitHub: immich-app/immich (117.7k stars when our data was last updated). Website: https://immich.app
Switching from Google Photos
- Pick an alternative above and open its comparison page for the cost breakdown.
- Generate a free starter
docker-compose.ymlin the stack builder. - Test it on a small server with a copy of your data before moving the team over.
- Check the migration notes in the table, and the official docs of the tool you pick.
More detail: Replace Google Photos guide.
FAQ
What are the open-source alternatives to Google Photos?
In the StackSwitcher dataset, the self-hostable open-source alternatives to Google Photos are Immich.
Which Google Photos plan does StackSwitcher compare against?
We benchmark Google Photos (free 15 GB per Google account; paid Google One plans from $1.99/mo, US). The main pain point we note: Your whole library sits in Google's cloud, and the free 15 GB is shared with Drive and Gmail, so a growing library pushes you onto a paid plan.
How much RAM does Immich need when self-hosted?
Our starter Docker config budgets 6144 MB of RAM for Immich. Real needs depend on your usage.
Config templates are MIT licensed and provided "AS IS", with no warranty of any kind and no liability. Prices and specs are informational estimates from our dataset, so check the vendor and project sites before you decide. See the Terms & No Warranty disclaimer.