Google Photos VS Self-Hosted: Who Wins?
▼ Summary
– The author is a fan of Google Photos but prefers self-hosting and has been testing Immich as a potential replacement to eliminate the need for a Google One subscription.
– Immich is a self-hosted photo library tool that closely emulates Google Photos’ look and features, including user management, album sharing, and machine-learning-based search.
– It can be run on a personal NAS or a VPS, with dedicated mobile apps for backup, though exposing it to the web for external access requires careful security consideration.
– Key features include geotagged maps, locked folders, shared albums, and robust library metrics, but it currently lacks advanced photo editing tools like Google’s Magic Editor.
– The author praises Immich’s user management and backup ease but notes a drawback: it requires managing photos through its app interface instead of seamlessly integrating with existing file structures.
For anyone looking to take control of their photo library, moving from a cloud service like Google Photos to a self-hosted solution is a major decision. The appeal of self-hosting lies in reclaiming privacy, avoiding subscription fees, and having complete ownership of your digital memories. While I’ve long been a fan of Google Photos for its simplicity and powerful features, my journey toward a DIY alternative led me to Immich, a self-hosted platform that aims to replicate that experience on your own hardware.
My main hesitation in leaving Google Photos was the convenience it offers for quick edits and sharing. I also valued it as an off-site backup under the 3-2-1 rule. For bulk storage, I used PhotoPrism, but it lacked the multi-user management my household needed. Immich emerged as a promising contender, especially after its first stable release, offering a familiar interface and a robust set of organizational tools. The question was whether it could truly fill the void.
Getting started requires deciding where to host it. You can run Immich on a NAS, a mini-PC, or even a Virtual Private Server (VPS) for external access. Be mindful that a VPS with ample storage might cost more than a Google One subscription, so the primary motivation for that route is enhanced privacy. Installation is straightforward, with guides for popular NAS systems and one-click installs for services like Synology and Unraid. I chose the Docker Compose method on my DIY NAS. For getting photos from your phone, dedicated Android and iOS apps handle backups seamlessly, mirroring the set-and-forget nature of cloud services. You can also choose whether to expose the service to the internet for remote access, though this requires careful security consideration.
When it comes to features, Immich impressively mirrors many aspects of Google Photos while adding stronger administrative controls for multiple users. Each user gets a private library with optional locked folders, and sharing albums between accounts is simple, a huge benefit for families. The platform provides useful metrics on library size and media types, helping with storage planning. Advanced features like OAuth logins and public upload links are available for those who want to dive deeper.
Fans of Google Photos will recognize several key tools. There’s a map view for geotagged photos, support for motion photos, and machine-learning-powered features like “Memories” and object recognition for searching. While the search might not be as instantaneous as Google’s cloud-powered version, it’s remarkably capable for a local system. The mobile and web apps cover most needs, though advanced photo editing is currently limited; basic cropping and filters are there, but don’t expect AI-powered tools like Magic Editor.
My experience with Immich has been overwhelmingly positive. It tackles the multi-user management and backup process effortlessly, covering about 90% of my Google Photos use case. The initial library import and thumbnail generation can be slow on lower-power hardware like my NAS, but that’s a trade-off for local control. The one area that gave me pause is file management. Unlike some media servers that adapt to your existing folder structure, Immich creates its own organized system for uploads and metadata. You can import external libraries and customize templates, but direct file manipulation outside the app is discouraged. As someone who uses both a smartphone and a mirrorless camera, and occasionally edits files on a PC, this required a slight adjustment in my workflow.
Despite that, Immich stands out as a powerful and user-friendly self-hosted alternative. It combines a familiar design with deep customization and the inherent privacy of keeping your data at home. While I wish it were more flexible with existing directory structures, its strengths in library organization and user management are compelling. I’m now dedicating time to fine-tuning my setup with the goal of fully replacing Google Photos. For those willing to invest a little initial effort, it offers a liberating and feature-rich path away from monthly subscriptions.
(Source: Android Authority)
