Google Photos is Google's cloud photo and video storage and backup service, with AI-powered search, face grouping, and editing tools tied to a Google account and Google One storage tiers. Because it's closed source and cloud-only, your entire photo library lives on Google's infrastructure, subject to their storage limits, pricing changes, and content policies.
If you want to keep full control of where your photos live, Immich is the direct open-source replacement — install it on your own hardware or a VPS and back up straight from your phone.
FAQ
Is there a free, open-source alternative to Google Photos?
Yes. Immich is open source and free to self-host, so your photo and video library stays on hardware you control instead of Google's servers.
What's the best open-source alternative to Google Photos?
Immich is the best match — it replicates the mobile auto-backup and face-recognition search experience Google Photos users expect, but self-hosted.
What are the top open-source alternatives to Google Photos?
Browse all open-source alternatives to Google Photos above, or explore the full Digital Asset Management category for more options.