Overview

Immich is open-source software for backing up photos and videos from Android and iOS to a server you operate. It is best suited to people who want control over their photo library and are comfortable managing a self-hosted service. Its search, organization, and sharing tools are substantial, but protecting the media files requires a separate backup plan.

Key features

Mobile uploads are central, but Immich also accepts uploads through its browser interface and CLI. Existing collections can be added as external, read-only folders, a useful way to browse a library without allowing Immich to change those files. The web app is available at the server address on port 2283.

Smart Search handles natural-language queries, and facial recognition detects and groups faces automatically. Albums, hierarchical tags, maps, memories, favorites, and a folder view give users several ways to navigate a collection. Sharing supports libraries with friends and family, public links for collections, and partner sharing.

OAuth identity-provider support, API keys, and Prometheus monitoring make Immich relevant to teams integrating it into an existing stack. Deployment is documented for Docker Compose and Kubernetes, with community NAS guides as another route. The documentation recommends a 64-bit Linux or Unix-like system, requires Docker Compose, and sets a minimum of 6 GB RAM and 2 CPU cores. That operating footprint is a real cost in administration, even though the software has no plan fee.

Immich is licensed under GNU AGPL v3. Its automatic database backups cover metadata only, not uploaded photos and videos; operators need a separate process to protect the media itself. The App Store listing says the developer reports that the app does not collect data, while Apple notes that this information has not been verified by Apple.

Pricing

Immich is free: its Immich plan costs 0.00 USD per free and requires a self-hosted server running on your own hardware or infrastructure. The plan includes original-quality storage, face search, shared albums, and video backup. There is no desktop app. The absence of a subscription makes it appealing to people who already have suitable server capacity, but it does not remove the work or cost of running and backing up that server.

Platforms

Immich supports Android, iOS, web, API access, and self-hosted deployment. The mobile client depends on a server the user runs and manages; browser access is through that server. It does not offer a desktop app.

Who it's for

Choose Immich if you want mobile photo and video backup alongside search, organization, and sharing, and can take responsibility for server operation and media backups. It is a poor fit for anyone who wants a hosted service without infrastructure work, or who expects database backups alone to safeguard the original files.

Pros and cons

Pros: Natural-language search and automatic face grouping help make large libraries easier to explore.
Pros: Mobile, browser, and CLI uploads plus read-only external libraries accommodate different collection workflows.
Pros: OAuth, API keys, and Prometheus monitoring offer useful integration points for managed setups.
Pros: Free access includes original-quality storage, video backup, face search, and shared albums.
Cons: Users must run and manage their own server, with Docker Compose required and a recommended minimum of 6 GB RAM and 2 CPU cores.
Cons: Automatic database backups contain metadata only, so media needs separate protection.
Cons: There is no desktop app, and the mobile app cannot replace the self-hosted server.

Alternatives

For a hosted option with a stated free storage allowance, Ente Photos offers 10 GB on its free plan and supports Android, iOS, web, and desktop platforms. IDrive is another freemium choice with a 10 GB Basic plan and a 100 GB, one-user Mini plan for 0.25 USD per month; it supports mobile, desktop, and web platforms.

Rawback offers a free 5 GB plan with monthly AI credits, face-recognition limits, and public sharing, making it an option for readers comparing capped free tiers. PhotoSync has a free plan for basic transfers, while full-size transfers, RAW, NAS, and cloud features are shown as paid features.

PhoneCopy may suit readers who also need contact, calendar, task, and note synchronization, alongside media storage. Pho is an option for readers interested in a mobile-first app whose core sync engine is open source, with Pro features extending that core. Tonfotos offers a free lifetime license with limited people recognition, while FOREVER offers one-time storage plans. These alternatives are worth comparing when their stated model or platform mix better matches your needs.

Compare more options in Photo Backup Software, Photo Management Software, Photo Storage Services, and Photo Sharing Software.

Verdict

Immich is a strong choice for technically capable individuals and teams who want self-hosted mobile photo and video backup with capable search, organization, and sharing at no software charge. Choose it for control and integration flexibility; look elsewhere if you need hosted convenience, a desktop app, or a backup arrangement that protects media without additional planning.

	Immich	Pixxle Memories
Free plan	Yes	No
Free trial	No	No
Paid from	Free	—
Open source	No	No
Platforms	Android, api, iOS, self-hosted, Web	Web, iOS, Android
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Original-quality storage	Yes	—
Face search	Yes	Yes
Shared albums	Yes	Yes
Desktop app	No	—
Video backup	Yes	Yes
Free storage	—	1 GB

Immich vs Pixxle Memories

Immich

Pixxle Memories