Google Photos has gone from being synonymous with unlimited backup to become another paid service within the Google ecosystem. The change in conditions, the limit of the 15 GB shared between Drive, Gmail, and Photos, and the doubts about the privacy This has led many users to seek new platforms to store and organize their memories. From there, a series of shifts to other platforms for uploading all our photos ensued. And that's where we come in: to guide you in finding the best option among all the available choices. Google Photos alternatives currently available for Android.
In this article, you'll find a comprehensive and up-to-date guide: from general-purpose cloud services with powerful galleries to specialized solutions, messaging apps that can be used as cloud storage, and local gallery applications for those who don't want to rely on the internet. All of this with detailed explanationspros and cons, and recommendations based on the type of user you are.
Why look for alternatives to Google Photos on Android?
Before looking at the apps, it's worth understanding what drives so many users to search alternatives to Google PhotosAlthough it remains an excellent service, there are several factors to consider:
- Limited free spaceThe 15 GB that Google offers is shared between Google Photos, Drive and Gmail, so it fills up quickly if you take a lot of photos or receive a lot of email attachments.
- End of free unlimitedThe old "High quality" backup is no longer unlimited; now everything new you upload consumes space.
- Cumulative cost of subscriptionsIf you already pay for several platforms (series, music, other storage), adding Google One may not fit everyone's budget.
- Privacy and data controlSome users prefer to avoid having a single provider access to their entire photo library and look for services with greater focus on security or even local solutions like a NAS.
- Advanced needsPhotographers, content creators, and very demanding users may need more space, better album management, statistics or features designed for professionals.
- Preference for simplicityOthers, however, find so many smart features superfluous and only want one. Quick and easy gallery, without algorithms or constant updates.
With this context in mind, we reviewed the more interesting alternatives categorized by service type so you can choose what suits you best.
Cloud-based alternatives similar to Google Photos
These are the options most similar to Google Photos: they upload your images to the internet, they allow access from multiple devices and they have official Android apps. Some integrate with other services (office suites, shopping, etc.), and others focus primarily on storage.
Amazon Photos
Like Google's platform, Amazon Photos is a service that also operates in the cloud. automatic backups From your mobile device. Best of all, it's included in your Amazon Prime subscription, so if you have this service, Amazon Photos is automatically included at no extra cost within your membership fee.
For those who already pay for Prime, it's one of the most logical alternatives to Google Photos because it offers Unlimited storage for photos in original qualityIn addition, it offers an extra 5 GB of free video storage, which makes it very attractive if most of your memories are photos and not so many long clips.
If you're not a Prime member, Amazon Photos is also available with 5 GB free for photos and videosFrom there, you can upgrade with paid plans within the Amazon ecosystem itself, which typically start at 100 GB with a relatively low monthly fee. These plans are interesting if you want to centralize your subscriptions and already shop regularly on Amazon.
The service allows you to create family albumsEasily share photos with other users, manage memories, and relive moments through automatic slideshows. Backups can be made in the background, much like Google Photos, allowing you to choose which folders to include, whether to include videos, and whether to upload only over Wi-Fi.
However, the interface, as expected, falls short of the refinement of Google Photos: it's somewhat less intuitive and offers fewer editing and AI features. Even so, for those primarily looking for Unlimited photo storage with a simple experienceIt's a very solid option.
Dubox (Terabox)
Dubox, who has also been known at times as teraboxIt opts for a very aggressive model in terms of available space. It initially offers a space that isn't unlimited, but which has... 1 TB of free cloud storage, a rather large and difficult figure to cover for an average user who only saves personal photos and videos.
It features automatic photo uploads to its cloud, so you can set it up and forget about it: every new image you take with the camera is uploaded in the background. For videos, however, you usually need to upload them manually or carefully review the settings, and in general the The upload process is slower. than in other services, probably due to their server infrastructure and the massive use of free space.
The interface is quite good for a less well-known and less established option. It offers a gallery view sorted by date and foldersIt offers the option to share links and the ability to view files from its web version. However, it doesn't have as many intelligent content search or facial recognition features as Google Photos or Amazon Photos.
It's especially interesting if you're looking for large free storage with no monthly fees and you don't care so much about upload speed or a slightly more basic interface.
Microsoft OneDrive
With your Outlook account, Microsoft OneDrive lets you replace many Google services, including photo backup and videos from your mobile device. From the official OneDrive app for Android, you can activate the option to camera charging and let the app automatically upload your entire camera roll.
Microsoft offers 5 GB free New accounts can partially mitigate Google's storage limitations. All files, whether photos or videos, are uploaded to the platform in original quality, without additional compression, which is great news if you're concerned about preserving the highest possible quality.
One of the biggest advantages of using this option is the great integration between the mobile and PC versionsIf you use Windows, Word, Excel, or PowerPoint, OneDrive integrates seamlessly into your workflow: the same credentials, a single storage location for documents and photos, and instant synchronization of changes across devices.
In addition, OneDrive includes features for smart searchFolder organization, basic automatic tagging, and secure sharing options via expiring links or limited permissions. Paid plans start with affordable 100GB options, but the really interesting package includes Microsoft 365 with 1 TB storage plus the complete office suite. If you already need Office, the combination is very competitive compared to paying only for Google One.
Degoo
Degoo is one of the most surprising alternatives to Google Photos because of the large amount of free space which it puts on the table. This cloud offers nothing more and nothing less than 100 GB totally free to store your photos and videos.
As a counterpart to that generous space, the app shows ads Its interface is cluttered, which can detract from the experience if you're particularly sensitive to advertising. There is an option to upgrade to a paid plan to remove ads and get even more space, but Degoo's main draw is precisely that it's free.
It is important to be aware of their activity policy: if we do not access the account or upload any photos for an extended period (for example, several months), Degoo may terminate the account and free up space, so it's a good idea to log in from time to time or keep automatic backups active.
In the cloud, photos are saved in original qualityHowever, in the mobile app they are sometimes displayed in a reduced or compressed form to save data and improve loading speed, something that can be partially adjusted in the settings.
Its interface is decent, with a chronological view, albums, and basic sharing options, although not as polished as Google's or Microsoft's. If you prioritize storage quantity versus refinementDegoo is a very viable alternative.
Yandex Disk
Yandex Disk is the Russian alternative to Google Photos. It's another cloud service that, in addition to general storage, integrates a user experience of... Photo gallery with functions very similar to those of Google.
Its most striking feature is that it allows a unlimited photo backup in some of its modes or promotions, while the general free space is usually around 10 GB for filesThis makes it especially interesting if you take a lot of photos but don't need to upload many large videos.
The service lets you view images in chronological order, organize albums, share links, and adjust cache options on your phone so the app doesn't take up too much local space. One advantage over Google Photos is that you can choose the cache size which the application saves on the device, which is useful if you have limited internal storage.
There are, however, some important considerations: certain sections of the app or website They only appear in Russian.Since the service is primarily geared towards that market, and not all translations are complete. Furthermore, it requires certain permissions, such as the mandatory addition of a phone number, something that may generate distrust among some users.
Regarding videos, uploading usually requires upgrading to a paid plan or adhering to specific limits, so if video is your priority, this might not be the best option. If you're looking for Unlimited photo uploads with an experience quite similar to Google Photos And if you don't mind its origin or some language details, Yandex Disk might be a good fit.
MEGA
We enter a service that isn't a gallery as such, but it serves our purpose perfectly. store all photos and videos that you want to keep long-term. MEGA also lets you store your photos and videos for free, and it's one of the platforms that offers the most free initial storage to users who don't want to pay for storage from day one.
If you register with MEGA, you gain access to 50GB of free cloud storage In certain promotions, or for a slightly lower initial amount that can be increased by completing tasks such as verifying email or installing the app. In any case, it usually offers significantly more storage space than other popular services.
Its greatest strength is its focus on the privacyMEGA uses end-to-end encryption so only you have access to the content, even when you share links with others (you can control whether you include the key in the link or send it separately). For many security-conscious users, MEGA is a very attractive alternative to Google Photos, which doesn't offer this type of full encryption.
From the Android app you can activate the function Camera uploadsIt automatically creates a copy of all new photos (and videos, if you want). In the settings, you can choose to upload other folders with photos, as well as whether you want to preserve the original file names or include location tags.
In addition to the free plan, MEGA offers several paid plans for those who need more space: from options starting at around 400 GB up to several terabytes, with different monthly prices. They are especially interesting for advanced users who combine documents, computer backups, and very large photo libraries.
However, the interface focuses more on being a file manager more than a visual gallery. While you can preview photos and play videos, it doesn't have as many automatic organization features, smart albums, or memories as Google Photos. It's a standout option if you value the data security and very generous storage.
ice drive
Another good alternative to Google Photos for storing your photos and videos is Icedrive. It's a cloud storage service that focuses on simplicity and... transfer speed as strengths.
Icedrive offers registered users 10 GB of free storage in the cloud. With that capacity, you can store thousands of high-quality photos and a moderate amount of videos. From the Android app, you can configure backups of all the content on your phone, or select only certain folders to avoid overloading the cloud.
The platform focuses on the to maximise security and your enjoyment. And it offers a very straightforward experience: a clear interface, simple menus, and an upload system that is generally quite fast and stable. You won't find as many AI or editing features as in Google Photos, but you will find a clean cloud storage ideal for those who want sort your files manually.
If the 10 GB of free storage isn't enough, Icedrive offers several competitive paid plans that significantly increase the available space, starting from options of approximately 150 GB up to several terabytes. The most striking feature of its model is that it offers monthly payment plans and also one-time payment plansdesigned as lifetime solutions, which can be interesting if you don't want to accumulate subscriptions.
pCloud
If we're talking about services similar to Google Photos for storing your files in the cloud, we have to mention pCloud. It's a very popular solution that combines a good level of to maximise security and your enjoyment. with flexible storage options, including lifetime payment plans.
Like Icedrive, pCloud offers 10 GB of free storage Cloud-based storage for all users, expandable through small tasks like checking email or inviting friends. From its Android app, you can activate automatic backups of your phone's photos, upload videos, and access your content from any other device.
pCloud stands out for including features such as two step verificationIt offers the ability to back up other services (such as social media content or your PC) and fast file transfers regardless of size. It also features an end-to-end encryption option called pCloud Crypto, available as a paid add-on, which further protects your sensitive photos.
In terms of payment plans, pCloud differentiates itself from the rest by offering options of one-time payment foreverTheir main life plans usually revolve around 500 GB and 2 TBThis option has a higher initial cost but no subsequent monthly fees. It's very attractive if you want stable, long-term storage without having to worry about recurring subscriptions.
MediaFire
Another option for storing your photos and videos is MediaFire, a veteran service of cloud file hosting which has also made the leap to mobile with a simple app for Android.
MediaFire offers 10 GB of free storage of files on the network, which you can expand with some promotional actions. On this platform you can upload multiple files at once, without bandwidth limits, organize them as you wish in folders and share them with other people via links.
The application allows you to activate a automatic synchronization of photos The camera app works very similarly to other alternatives, although its interface is a bit outdated in terms of design. Even so, it still works perfectly for what matters: uploading and keeping your files safe.
MediaFire offers paid plans for those who need even more storage space. For example, their plan Pro It offers around 1 TB of storage for a reasonable monthly fee if paid for the year in advance, while the plan Business It is geared towards work teams with massive storage needs.
It's a somewhat more basic app than Google Photos: no advanced editing, no AI, and few automatic organization options. However, if what you need is a free or affordable extra space If you need to store copies of your photos and videos without too much hassle, MediaFire does the job.
Other great cloud storage options
In addition to the services mentioned above, there are other very popular platforms that, although not on the original list, fit perfectly as Alternatives to Google Photos for download on Android and can meet specific needs.
Dropbox
Dropbox is one of the best-known names in the world of cloud storage. Although its free plan is quite limited (around 2 GB), it remains a highly valued option for its reliability, its synchronization capabilities and its enormous compatibility with third-party apps.
Its Android app can, like Google Photos, do a back up all your photos Automatically thanks to the "Uploads from camera" function. You can choose whether to upload videos as well, whether to use only Wi-Fi or mobile data, and whether to copy all folders or just the camera folder.
The ascent takes place in original quality The app organizes photos into chronological folders within your Dropbox account. It doesn't have as many content recognition features as Google Photos, but it does have an excellent system for... sync between devices: computers, mobiles, tablets, even integrations with professional applications.
Their payment plans start at 2 TB of storageDesigned not only for photos, but for all types of files. The price is higher than other alternatives, so it's usually the preferred option for users who already use Dropbox for work or personal projects and want to use it for their memories as well.
Flickr
Flickr is a classic community for photographers, but it's also useful for any user who wants to store, organize and share photosUnlike other services, here the focus is very image-oriented, with a social environment included.
The free plan allows you to save up to 1.000 photos or videosThat's enough to try the platform and use it as a photo album for your best pictures. If that's not enough, the Pro plan offers unlimited storage for photos and videos in exchange for a monthly fee.
Among its most prominent functions are the advanced statistics (to see which photos have the most views, from which countries they are viewed, etc.), ad-free browsing, and powerful album and collection management. It's ideal for photographers and creatives who want a combination of storage and visibility for their work.
Its Android app acts as a gallery and upload tool, allowing you to organize content into albums, add tags, geolocation, and adjust the privacy level of each photo. If your priority is showcasing your work and having artistic control Regarding presentations, Flickr is one of the best alternatives.
Telegram as unlimited cloud storage for photos and videos
There's much more to Telegram than just a messaging platform. The service created by the Durov brothers can also act as a unlimited cloud storage for your photos, videos, and other types of documents.
The key is to use the chat «Saved messages"It works like a conversation with yourself. You can share all those photos and videos you don't want to lose in the future. Every file you send is stored in the Telegram cloud and synced across all your devices."
The main limit is the maximum size of each file, which is usually around 2 GB per itemBeyond that, there's no official total capacity limit for the Saved Messages chat, so you can use it as a flexible cloud storage if you don't mind organizing things manually.
To access your files from any device, simply go to "Saved Messages" on your phone, tablet, or computer. From there, you can re-download photos, forward them to others, or save them locally whenever you need them.
The major drawback of this alternative is that Telegram does not offer a album organization system As advanced as Google Photos or dedicated cloud services, there are no automatic albums, advanced content search, or integrated editing. It's an excellent option as convenient and free storagebut not so much as a main gallery.
Local gallery alternatives without cloud storage for Android
The solutions described above rely on the internet and a cloud storage account. However, some users prefer to keep their photos stored on their own. only on the device (or on their own hard drive) and not upload them to any server. For them, local gallery apps are the best alternative, many of them even faster and simpler than Google Photos.
A + Gallery
A+ Gallery is one of those apps that, without being a complete cloud service like Google Photos, becomes a very powerful image gallery toolIt might not be a top alternative to Google Photos if we're only thinking about online storage, since it's not such a comprehensive cloud service, but if what we're looking for is an app for store, organize and view our photos on the device, it's worth trying.
A+ Gallery automatically organizes our photos by date, folders and location (if the images contain geolocation data). Its design is quite reminiscent of the iOS Photos app, with a well-organized grid and very fluid navigation, although somewhat less visually polished.
One very interesting detail is the possibility of See where your photos were taken on a mapThis geographic view groups images by area and allows you to travel through your memories simply by moving around the map, something that many users miss even in other alternatives.
In addition, A+ Gallery offers integration with Facebook, Dropbox and Amazon CloudIt natively supports cloud storage, although it also allows you to integrate other cloud services if desired. In this way, it acts as a bridge between your local gallery and your online services, allowing you to view remote content from within the same app.
It is especially recommended for those looking for a lightweight, fast gallery with some advanced featureswithout having to rely entirely on Google Photos.
simple gallery
Simple Gallery lives up to its name: it's an application extremely simple in its interface, with an experience designed for those who just want to view and organize photos without distractions.
The app lets you explore your phone's internal storage folders, view images in a grid, group them into folders, and navigate between photos with intuitive gestures. It doesn't have algorithms or smart sections, and that's precisely part of its charm.
Among its notable options is the possibility of change the interface color To customize it to your liking, you can configure the maximum screen brightness when viewing photos, hide specific folders for greater privacy, and automatically rotate images when displayed in full screen.
It is an app free and open sourceThis inspires confidence in those concerned about the privacy and transparency of the software they use. A paid version is also available that removes ads and adds some extra features, but the free version is more than sufficient for most users.
Piktures
Piktures is a gallery alternative heavily focused on design and offering a somewhat different experience from traditional galleries. Its interface is original, with a design different from the usual and several viewing modes that are very comfortable once you get used to them.
The app allows filter by content typePhotos, videos, GIFs, even by location, making it easy to quickly find something specific in large collections. It also offers a calendar view It's very functional, showing the entire month with thumbnails, so you can see how many photos you took on a particular day and access them immediately.
Among its more curious additional features are a integrated QR code scanner and a function of OCR (optical character recognition)This tool allows you to extract text from images and copy it in an editable format. This is very useful for photographing documents, posters, or notes and working with their content later.
Piktures also includes a secure folder mode to hide more private photos and a basic editor for cropping, rotating, and adjusting colors. It's ideal if you're looking for a visually appealing gallery with smart featuresbut without needing to upload anything to the cloud.
F-StopGallery
F-Stop Gallery is another advanced gallery app that focuses on providing greater control over the organization of your photos. It has a system similar to A+ Gallery to show where a photo was taken, using geolocation data to show you the exact coordinates on a map.
The app allows you to sort photos by name, date taken, size and even group them by day, week, month or year, which is very helpful when you want to locate images in very large collections.
Although initially the application is Delivery to Italy takes one or two business daysUpgrading to the Pro version unlocks some very interesting features: writing metadata directly to files, custom sorting, interface themes, nested albums and some options geared towards advanced users who need a near-professional gallery.
If you value above all the detailed organization and fine control For your photos, F-Stop Gallery is one of the best choices in the world of local galleries.
Google Gallery (Gallery Go)
If you love the google ecosystem But if you don't want to rely on the cloud, then this app is for you. Google Gallery (originally launched as Gallery Go) is developed by Google itself as a lightweight, online-only alternative.
It's the app most similar to Google Photos in appearance, but without enjoying cloud servicesIt only displays images stored on the device itself, preventing confusion from mixing in old photos or photos from other phones stored in the cloud. However, you won't be able to access your photos from other devices unless you copy them manually.
The best thing about this app is... agile and light It opens photos very quickly, uses few resources, and works well even on entry-level phones. The interface features a chronologically ordered grid, with the option to group photos into folders and apply basic filters to separate videos, screenshots, or other types of content.
Although it lacks the more complex AI features of Google Photos, it retains the basics for editing: cropping, rotation, some filters and an auto-enhance button that adjusts brightness and contrast with a tap. It's ideal for those who feel overwhelmed by the complexity of Google Photos and want a very straightforward experience.
Set up your own "Google Photos" locally or on a NAS
Beyond Android apps, there is an increasingly common user profile: someone who wants to completely do away with Google Photosnot so much because of the space or the price, but because of the concern about what can their photos be used for?Although Google claims it does not use your images for advertising purposes, they can be used to improve its machine learning and image recognition algorithms.
For those who have this concern, one alternative is to set up their own photo system in a NAS or a home server. These devices allow you to centralize all your storage at home, fully control your data, and, thanks to technologies like Docker, install services that replicate virtually all the functions of Google Photos.
Systems like Unraid, TrueNAS, Proxmox, or OpenMediaVault allow you to create a highly flexible server with RAID disks, SSDs for caching, and various isolated services. Photo platforms such as [insert examples here] can be installed on them. PhotoPrism, Immich, Nextcloud Photos or many others, so that your local server becomes "your own cloud" accessible from your Android mobiles through their official apps.
Among all the self-hosted options, Immich It has become a favorite among many advanced users. Its interface is heavily inspired by Google Photos, with a chronological timelineIt features clean thumbnails, albums, favorites, and a "X years ago" memories section. Additionally, it integrates facial and object recognition, semantic search (you can search for "mountains," "sea," or even colors), and convenient keyboard shortcuts in its web version.
Migrating from Google Photos can be done with tools like Immich CLI or Immich-Go, which leverage Google Takeout to import albums and metadata. The process can be lengthy if you have hundreds of thousands of photos, but once completed you'll have full control over your images without depending on third parties.
The main disadvantage of these solutions is that they require technical knowledgeA server running for many hours a day and a certain initial investment in hardware and licenses are required. Furthermore, although some have Android TV apps, the experience is not yet on par with Google Photos in this environment. Even so, for those who value privacy above all else, they are a very powerful alternative.
As you can see, today there are solutions ranging from simple, free options to advanced, self-hosted platforms that replicate and surpass many of Google Photos' features. Choosing the best alternative depends on your priorities. free space, privacy, usability o professional toolsBut in all cases there is life beyond the Google app to continue enjoying and protecting your memories on Android.