Immich might be the best self hosted Google Photos Alternative

WARNING NOT MY BEST WRITING

You probably use Google Photos, One Drive, iCloud, etc and you're probably paying for it to. But did you know you can self host your own Google Photos alternative for free, all form a your desktop.

For the past week I've been doing it and it feels just as fast (or sometimes faster) than Google Photos, and it's free!

I use it because my iCloud Storage is almost full and because the Linux Computer that's running the Immich server has 500gb of storage unlike iCloud with has 200gb of storage. The computer also cost around $170 which is better than paying monthly for iCloud.

Now I'm in the Apple Ecosystem, liked Locked in, but I don't use Apple Calendar, iCloud Mail, Notes, etc. The only apple service I use is Music. But I like the seamless iPhone mirroring form iPhone to Mac, the way hand off just works, and the little things like iPhone widgets on Mac.

But I can't trust big companies, and when it comes to photos, Immich might be the best option. The mobile app is snappy and fast but the only downside is you need to be on the same network as your Immich server, or be like me and use a self hosted Tailscale VPN.

Immich Has all the features that Google Photos and iCloud have.

A simple to use interface (that's why I did not list OneDrive), Map of places where photos were taken, faces, folders and more!

Now Immich is self hosted so you do need some knowledge on Docker and the Linux Terminal, but other than that it's really easy to set up and use!