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What is the best cloud photo storage?
The best cloud photo storage for most people is the one built into their phone: Google Photos for Android and iCloud Photos for iPhone. Both upload automatically and cost about $9.99 a month for 2 TB in the US. If privacy matters most, Ente or Proton Drive encrypt photos end to end.
Cloud photo storage keeps your pictures off your phone and safe if it breaks or goes missing. The options differ in free space, upload quality, search features and who can see your photos. This hub compares them and links to deeper guides for each need.
Cloud photo storage compared
| Service | Free space | Paid example (US) | End-to-end encrypted | Based in | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Photos (Google One) | 15 GB shared | 2 TB at $99.99/year | No | US | Android users, search |
| iCloud Photos (iCloud+) | 5 GB | 2 TB at $9.99/month | Yes, with Advanced Data Protection | US | iPhone and Mac users |
| Amazon Photos | 5 GB (unlimited photos with Prime) | Included with Prime | No | US | Prime members |
| OneDrive | 5 GB | 1 TB with Microsoft 365 Personal, $99.99/year | No (Personal Vault adds a lock) | US | Windows and Office users |
| pCloud | Free tier available | 2 TB lifetime, one-time payment | Optional paid add-on | Switzerland | Paying once |
| Ente Photos | 10 GB | Paid tiers available | Yes | See provider | Private photo backup |
| Proton Drive | 5 GB | 200 GB at $4.99/month | Yes | Switzerland | Privacy-first users |
Prices checked on each provider’s official page in October 2026. Prices vary by country and change often, so confirm before buying.
How we compared cloud photo storage
We compared services on six points that matter for photos: free space, cost per terabyte, upload quality, encryption model, jurisdiction and platform support. Figures come from each provider’s official plan and help pages, checked in October 2026.
From ten years of setting up photo backups, I also weight two practical points heavily: whether uploads run reliably in the background, and whether you can export your full library later. A service that traps your photos is a risk.
Which service suits which person?
The right service depends on your phone, your library size and how private you need photos to be. Here is a short verdict for each.
Google Photos: best search and Android integration
Google Photos has the strongest search, face grouping and sharing. It works on Android, iPhone and the web. The 15 GB free space is shared with Gmail and Drive, so most people outgrow it. Google does not encrypt photos end to end.
iCloud Photos: best for Apple households
iCloud Photos syncs across iPhone, iPad and Mac with no setup. With Advanced Data Protection turned on, Apple encrypts Photos end to end. The 5 GB free tier is small, but the 50 GB plan costs $0.99 a month in the US.
Amazon Photos: best value for Prime members
Prime members in supported countries get unlimited full-resolution photo storage plus 5 GB for video. It is excellent value as a second copy. Video limits and the Prime dependency make it weaker as your only service.
pCloud: best for paying once
pCloud sells lifetime plans, so you pay once instead of monthly. It is based in Switzerland and offers an optional client-side encryption folder for an extra fee. Our lifetime cloud storage guide explains when that maths works.
Ente and Proton Drive: best for privacy
Ente is a photo-focused service with end-to-end encryption and 10 GB free. Proton Drive, from the makers of Proton Mail, encrypts everything end to end. Both trade some search features for privacy. See Google Photos alternatives.
Download our free 3-2-1 checklist and tick off each step as you go. It takes about ten minutes to read and covers phones, computers and cloud accounts.
Send me the checklistWhat should you check before choosing?
Check five things: original-quality uploads, video limits, the encryption model, export tools and the real renewal price. These decide whether a service still suits you in five years.
- Original quality. Some modes compress photos. Choose original or “full” quality for irreplaceable pictures.
- Video handling. 4K video fills space fast. See backup videos and video cloud storage.
- Encryption. Decide whether you need end-to-end encryption for family photos.
- Export. Google Takeout and iCloud downloads let you leave. Check before you commit.
- Trash window. Google Photos and iCloud keep deleted photos for 30 days.
Is cloud photo storage the same as a photo backup?
Not quite. Cloud photo storage syncs your library, so deleting a photo on your phone deletes it in the cloud after the trash window. A true backup keeps an independent copy. For irreplaceable photos, keep a second copy on a drive or another service.
Our guide to back up photos to the cloud shows a two-copy setup, and photo backup drive covers the local half. Ranked backup-focused services are in cloud photo backup.
Guides in this photo and video hub
- Back up photos from your phone: Android and iPhone steps
- Back up photos and videos: phone and computer together
- Cloud storage for photos and videos: large libraries
- Cloud storage for photographers: RAW workflows
- Cloud photo recovery: getting deleted photos back
- Cloud sharing photos: private albums for family
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest cloud photo storage?
For Prime members, Amazon Photos is the cheapest, because full-resolution photo storage is included. Otherwise, iCloud+ starts at $0.99 per month for 50 GB and Google One at $1.99 per month for 100 GB in the US. Lifetime plans from pCloud can cost less over many years.
Is Google Photos or iCloud better for photo storage?
Choose iCloud if your household uses iPhones and Macs, and you want end-to-end encryption through Advanced Data Protection. Choose Google Photos if you use Android, mix devices or want the best search. Both cost $9.99 per month for 2 TB in the US.
Which cloud photo storage is the most private?
Services with end-to-end encryption are the most private, because the provider cannot see your photos. Ente, Proton Drive and iCloud with Advanced Data Protection all offer this. Google Photos, Amazon Photos and OneDrive use standard encryption, where the provider holds the keys.
How much cloud storage do I need for photos?
A typical smartphone photo uses about 2 to 5 MB, so 10,000 photos need roughly 20 to 50 GB. Video uses far more space. Check your current library size, add room for two years of growth, and choose the next plan size up.
Do cloud photo services reduce photo quality?
Some offer a space-saving mode that compresses photos. Google Photos calls it Storage saver, and iCloud can keep optimised copies on the phone while storing originals in the cloud. For irreplaceable photos, choose original quality uploads in the app settings.
Our Start Here guide shows the three steps every setup needs, in plain English. Cannot find a guide for your phone, app or drive? Request a guide and we will write it.
Start hereSources
