Last checked October 15, 2026
Ente vs Immich
Ente and Immich are free apps you can use instead of Google Photos. Ente is end-to-end encrypted photo backup. Immich backs up photos and video on a server you run.
A full score means it matches our checklist. It is not a drop-in replacement. How this works
Instead of Google Photos
Last checked October 15, 2026
Ente is #1 (96). Immich is #2 (88).
Ente
#1 · Closest
7 of 7 checked features. A full score means it matches our checklist. It is not a drop-in replacement.You only get part of: video as well as photos.
Immich
#2
7 of 7 checked features. A full score means it matches our checklist. It is not a drop-in replacement.You only get part of: search and sharing and links.
Scroll sideways to see both apps.
| Feature | Ente#1 · 967 of 7 checked features | Immich#2 · 887 of 7 checked features |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic phone backupCounts for 10 | FullThe site describes end-to-end encrypted backups. | FullPhone backup is the product. |
| AlbumsCounts for 6 | FullSmart albums are listed on the product page. | Full |
| SearchCounts for 6 | FullOn-device face grouping and natural-language search are listed on the product page. | PartialSearch ships with the app. This check did not grade it against Google's scene search. |
| Sharing and linksCounts for 5 | FullPublic links and shared albums are listed on the product page. | PartialSharing exists. Link and partner-library behavior was not re-tested against Google Photos. |
| Mobile appsCounts for 8 | FullThe site calls the product cross-platform and links to downloads. | Full |
| Video as well as photosCounts for 4 | PartialThe features checked on the homepage are described as photos. Video was not a separate claim there. | Full |
| Library on hardware you controlCounts for 8 | FullThe site says you can run it yourself. Hosted Ente stores data on their side, encrypted. | Full |
Where they differ
Search
Worth 6 points. Ente does all of it. On-device face grouping and natural-language search are listed on the product page. Immich does part of it. Search ships with the app. This check did not grade it against Google's scene search.
Sharing and links
Worth 5 points. Ente does all of it. Public links and shared albums are listed on the product page. Immich does part of it. Sharing exists. Link and partner-library behavior was not re-tested against Google Photos.
Video as well as photos
Worth 4 points. Ente does part of it. The features checked on the homepage are described as photos. Video was not a separate claim there. Immich does all of it.
Both do all of these: automatic phone backup, albums, mobile apps, and library on hardware you control.
Also ranked: PhotoPrism is #3 (62).
The facts on file
Ente
End-to-end encrypted photo backup you can also host.
- Rules
- Open source. AGPL-3.0
- Run it yourself
- Hard. The GitHub repository is the server and clients. Plan on object storage and a database, not a single-click photo app.
- Free plan
- Ente's site says the hosted service includes 10 GB free. The AGPL server can run on your own server without that cap.
- They host it
- No hosted price on file.
- Where it runs
- Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Web, Run it yourself
Last checked October 15, 2026
Immich
Photo and video backup you run yourself.
- Rules
- Open source. AGPL-3.0
- The repository LICENSE is AGPL-3.0. Immich's own docs say an optional paid license key does not unlock features.
- Run it yourself
- Setup: medium. Plan on Docker or a small virtual machine. A paid hosted plan, if there is one, is separate from the free copy you run yourself.
- Free plan
- You can run the free version on your own server. You don't pay for each person. We don't list a price for the hosted version. Not checked.
- They host it
- No hosted price on file.
- Where it runs
- iOS, Android, Web, Run it yourself
Last checked October 15, 2026
Which one to pick
Ente
Pick Ente if you want encrypted photo backup you can also host. Search is full. Sharing and links are full. Video was not a separate claim on the homepage checked for this listing. The license is AGPL-3.0. Running the server is hard.
Immich
Pick Immich if you want photo and video backup on a server you run. Video as well as photos is full. Search is partial. Sharing is partial. The license is AGPL-3.0. Setup is medium.