Google has declared that Google Photos will no longer provide unlimited free storage as of June 1, 2021. After the specified date, each photo and video upload will be counted to 15GB of default storage for each Google Account. Simply put, Google Photos is no longer free. Google Photos free unlimited storage, i.e., allowing users to backup compressed “high quality” images and free videos, was one of the biggest features of Google Photos. I think it’s time to look for Google Photos alternatives that provide unlimited free storage or anything like that. In this post, I will go through some of the best Google Photos alternatives in 2021.
The Best Free and Paid Alternatives to Google Photos
1. Amazon Photos
Amazon Photos is an excellent replacement for those that have become too used to completely limitless storage. Better still, you already have it if you pay for Amazon Prime.
Amazon Photos is basically unlimited cloud storage only for photos. Prime members can store 5GB of videos and other media, but you’ve got to pay more than that. Besides that, there are several keyword search functions. You can also save your photos in original quality.
The app automatically syncs your files, just like Google Photos, and you can share them with family and friends as well. Unlimited photo storage can be shared with up to 6 family members on a single subscription basis. However, if you cancel your Amazon Prime subscription, you may lose access to your photos, and they may even be permanently deleted.
2. Microsoft OneDrive
Microsoft’s OneDrive is another great alternative to Google Photos where you can back up high-quality images for free. You can upload 5GB of files to a free version or increase your storage limit to 100GB by paying $1.99 per month.
However, if you own an Office 365 subscription, there’s nothing you need to think about. The annual $69.99 Microsoft Office 365 Personal subscription comes with 1TB of storage. Meanwhile, the Office 365 Family Plan, priced at $99.99 a year, comes with a huge 6TB of storage (1TB per person). Monthly plans for Office 365 are also available.
Overall, OneDrive is the perfect alternative to Google Photos for users who already have an Office 365 subscription.
3. Dropbox
Dropbox is one of the most common cloud storage solutions out there for a very good reason. It’s a versatile offering with many third-party integrations that can act as a perfect alternative to Google Photos. Set it up for the backup of your photos, and you’re ready to go.
If you’re already a Dropbox subscriber, you’ve got a great photo backup solution right here. Free users get a small 2GB of storage, but then it’s an additional $11.99/mo for 2TB of space.
4. MEGA
MEGA is a little different from all the others listed in this article. It provides user-controlled encrypted cloud storage and chats options through default web browsers. You can even connect to others with an end-to-end user-encrypted MEGA video chat. You get 15GB of cloud storage with a free account.
5. iCloud
Apple is providing its own cloud storage service. It was first introduced in 2011. Since then, all Apple devices have been using iCloud. As you would imagine, iCloud is a robust cloud storage service like Google Drive.
Photo is a part of iCloud close to Google Photos where you can easily and safely back up your photos to the cloud. For both premium cloud services, the Photo Search function is different, but you can easily access your photos and videos from anywhere.
While the free Dropbox version provides 2GB of storage, iCloud offers 5GB of free storage. Its pricing policies are fair. The iCloud 50GB plan costs just $1 a month, 200GB costs $3 a month, and 2TB costs only $10 a month.
However, iCloud doesn’t provide native support for Android phones, and it doesn’t look like it’s coming soon. Although you can access restricted features of iCloud through your browser, it’s not the same as getting the software integrated on your phone like an iPhone.
6. Degoo
Degoo is perhaps the best Google Photos alternative you can use right now. The best thing about Degoo is that it’s offering you 100GB of free cloud storage, which is huge compared to all the other services listed. It is more fascinating to expand the free storage limit to 500GB by referring your colleagues. According to the play-store listing, all files shared on Degoo are end-to-end encrypted, and they also provide automatic backup options.
7. Flickr
Flickr has been around for a long time, but not everyone knows that it provides wonderful photo storage plans. It’s mainly marketed to professional and amateur photographers to host and upload high-quality photos, but it can be great for everyday users as well.
The app provides the auto-syncing of all your photos or individual uploads if you only want to save the best images. Photos and videos can be set to private to keep your eyes out of your personal life. Since it’s designed for photos from the ground up, keeping it organized on albums is a breeze too.
Free plans used to provide 1TB of storage, but now they are limited to 1,000 photos. If you want unlimited storage, you’re going to have to get Flickr Pro, which costs $7 a month (or $60 a year).
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8. Jio Cloud
If you live in India and use Reliance Jio Telecom Services, Jio Cloud might be the best cloud storage solution for you. Offers 50GB of free online storage. Also, it has a ‘reference & earns’ program that will help you expand the storage limit. You can store all your photos, videos, documents, audio, contacts, messages, etc. on the cloud platform.
So these are some of the best Google Photos alternatives in 2021. I hope this post will help you in selecting the best storage app for your photos.
