Google Photos: unlimited free, it's over - Here are the best alternatives

Buy a Google Pixel or pay for Google Photos

First, be aware that the free Google account offers 15 GB of storage. It is certainly enough to take a few months before finding an alternative that suits you.

Google Photos

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If you have a Pixel 5 or lower, nothing changes to your benefits. You will continue to benefit from free and unlimited storage space. However, photos and videos saved in high quality from other devices after June 1, 2021 will be deducted from your Google Account storage space. So remember to check the High quality option in the Google Photos application (Google Photos> Settings> Backup and synchronization> High quality).

If you are going to change your device and you like Google Photos, then you can choose a Pixel. Between the Pixel 4A 5G, Pixel A4, Pixel 4 and the Pixel 5, there is a choice on quality devices.

8 / 10

Google Pixel 5

Product sheet See the test Available at 409 €

Google Pixel 4a 5G

Product sheet Available at € 549 9/10

Google Pixel 4a

Product sheet See the test Available at 349 €

You can also choose to pay for Google Photos, several plans are available in the Google One offer. Prices start at 1,99 euros per month for 100 GB up to 149,99 euros per month up to 30 TB. This storage can also be used in Gmail or Drive to store the files you want.

We can understand that you decide to keep Google Photos. Google's service is very comprehensive, especially with its advanced search features thanks to its image recognition algorithms. There are also many options for editing your photos and videos. We describe this to you in a dedicated tutorial.

Google One

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NAS or hard drives

This is the most expensive solution, but it ensures that your data is physically stored at your home. The NAS option is the most secure, your data can be backed up multiple times depending on your device configuration. Synology, QNAP, Asustor… the choice is wide.

To learn more
What are the best NAS servers to buy in 2021?

You can also turn an old PC or Raspberry Pi 4 into a NAS. There are even specialized OS, open source (FreeNAS, OpenMediaVault, etc.) or from manufacturers. There are plenty of solutions, like Piwigo or digiKam, which offer alternatives to Google Photos. The downside of these solutions: they require some computer skills. If you do not update them, for example, you risk missing security holes ...

Piwigo is an open-source Google Photos to install yourself, at your own risk.

You can also opt for SSD and HDD option. Unfortunately, these external storages have one major flaw: they are fragile and you will not necessarily have redundancy in your data (unless you set it up). If you have damaged your HDD, you risk losing everything. In our opinion, it is a good backup solution…. but complementary to another more reliable system. In any case, you will find our buying guide dedicated to SSDs and HDDs here.

Amazon Prime Photos and other services

Amazon Photos

If you are a Prime subscriber, Amazon Photos is the best alternative because you have unlimited storage. Amazon Photos backs up your photos in the same way as Google Photos, you can choose which folders you want included, in the quality you want, and more.

Amazon Photos

Download Amazon Photos Free APK

The Prime subscription includes many options, such as access to Prime Video, Prime Music or even Prime Gaming and its free games. Not to mention access to flash sales and fast delivery. We remind you, Amazon Prime is available at 49 euros per year or 5,99 euros per month. New customers can also benefit from a free trial month.

Try Amazon Prime for free for 1 month

For students, the subscription is 24 euros per year with a 90-day trial period.

Try Amazon Prime Student for free for 3 months

Microsoft OneDrive

Microsoft can be an interesting alternative, especially if you use the other services of the Redmond firm. For free, you have 5 GB of storage for new accounts. For 2 euros per month, you will have 100 GB.

In our opinion, the most interesting offer is Office 365. The “Personal” offer costs 69 euros per year, it gives access to Word, Excel and PowerPoint software, whatever your system, as well as to 1 TB of storage on OneDrive. If you are at least 2 people in your household, the Family offer costs only 99 euros and offers what is in the Personal offer for… 6 people! You then have up to 6 TB of online storage, or 1 TB per person.

Microsoft OneDrive

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Dropbox, KDrive, pCloud, Flickr ou encore Apple iCloud

There is no shortage of alternatives to Google Photos, there is a large selection available. However, none offers a service as complete as Google Photos.

Dropbox, for example, allows you to have 2 TB of storage for around 10 euros per month. However, you must clearly identify your needs. Dropbox does not offer advanced search solutions to find and organize your memories. If you opt for Apple iCloud, for example, be aware that the ecosystem is closed and you will have difficulty backing up your photos from a PC or an Android smartphone. Less well-known, KDrive, is managed by the Swiss host Infomaniak. However, KDrive does not offer as advanced a gallery system as Google Photos.

How to export and backup your photos from Google Photos?

Now that you have your future solution, it's time to go to recover and backup your photos from Google Photos. Google offers a service called Takeout which will simplify all that. To go a little faster, do not hesitate to first click "Deselect everything" then check the Google Photos section in the list that appears on the screen.

Then, you have to click on "Next step" at the bottom, configure certain details (file size, sending method, etc.). Finally, just start the export.

It will take a while if you back up several thousand photos, it may take several days for Google to create the data archives in ZIP format. Arm yourself with patience and a good connection.

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