Last verified: September 2026
Ente Photos and Google Photos both offer photo backup, search, face recognition, organization, and sharing.
The main difference is privacy: Ente uses end-to-end encryption, so Ente doesn't hold the keys required to decrypt your photo library. Google Photos does not provide end-to-end encryption for standard photo backups.
Quick Comparison
Questions | Ente Photos | Google Photos |
|---|---|---|
Are my photos end-to-end encrypted? | Yes | No, Google Photos is not end-to-end encrypted |
Is it open source? | Yes | No |
Can I search photos & recognize faces? | Yes, with on-device ML | Yes, with Face Groups and search |
Which has better photo editing? | Basic Editing | More advanced AI-powered editing |
How much free storage do I get? | 10 GB (20 GB with referral) | 15 GB shared across Photos, Gmail & Drive |
Can I export or keep a local copy? | Export tools + continuous local copy | Google Takeout |
Can I share & collaborate? | Yes. Share albums and collect photos from anyone, no account needed. | Yes, including shared and collaborative albums |
Privacy & Security
A key privacy question is who can access your photos.
With Ente, your photos and their metadata are end-to-end encrypted before they leave your device. Your master key never leaves your device unencrypted, which means Ente does not have the keys required to decrypt your stored photo library.
Read about Ente's encryption architecture→
Ente's apps are also open source, and its architecture and source code have undergone an independent security audit by Cure53 in collaboration with Symbolic Software.
Read about Ente's security audit→
Google Photos uses information from your library to provide features including search, Face Groups and optional Gemini-powered experiences such as Ask Photos. Google says Gemini models can work in the background to narrow search results for more complex queries. Google also states that personal Google Photos data isn't used for ads or to train generative AI models outside Google Photos.
Read about Google Photos Gemini privacy information→
Features, AI & Sharing
Both Ente and Google Photos offer face recognition, photo search, organization, sharing, and multi-device access.
With Ente, machine learning for features such as face recognition and semantic search runs locally on your device. Ente says photos and ML data aren't sent to its servers for processing, while search indexes are encrypted before syncing across devices.
Learn more about Ente's on-device ML→
Google Photos offers search for people, things and places, along with the optional Gemini-powered Ask Photos experience. Google says Gemini models can process more complex queries to narrow results and surface relevant photos or information. Availability varies by region and account.
Photo editing
Ente currently provides basic editing tools, while Google Photos offers a broader range of advanced and AI-powered editing capabilities.
Sharing & collaboration
Both services support shared albums. Ente also lets people without an Ente account view shared albums and contribute photos through public links. Ente's Collect links allow anyone with the link to add photos through a web browser without installing the app or creating an account.
Ente sharing and collaboration documentation→
Pricing & Storage
Ente Photos storage is dedicated to your photo library. Google's storage is shared across Google Photos, Gmail, and Google Drive, so usage in Gmail or Drive counts toward the same storage limit. Google confirms that its 100 GB and 2 TB plans provide total storage across all three services.
Plan | Ente Photos | Google Photos / Google One |
|---|---|---|
Free | 10 GB (20 GB with referral) | 15 GB shared across Photos, Gmail & Drive |
Entry paid plan | 50 GB – $2.49/month | 100 GB – $1.99/month |
2 TB | $19.99/month | $9.99/month |
Prices shown are monthly equivalents based on the plans available at the time of verification. Pricing and plan availability may vary by region.
Check current pricing: Ente | Google One
Why does Ente cost more than Google Photos?
Ente costs more because its price reflects a different approach to storing your photos.
With Ente, your photos are end-to-end encrypted and backed up in three copies across three different cloud providers. We also provide human support when you need it. Your subscription pays for the service, so Ente doesn't rely on accessing the contents of your photos to make money.
The higher price reflects the additional cost of providing private, redundant storage while keeping your photos inaccessible to us.
Read about Ente's reliability and replication →
Backup & Data Control
Both services let you export your photos, but Ente also makes it possible to keep an up-to-date local copy of your library outside the service.
Ente supports continuous local exports and incremental exports, so you can maintain an up-to-date local copy without downloading your entire library each time. Ente also provides command-line tools for automated and more advanced backup workflows. Exported album structure and metadata are preserved.
Learn more about exporting from Ente→
Google Photos lets you export your library through Google Takeout. Google describes Takeout as a way to create an archive and download data from Google products, including Photos.
Ente Photos vs. Google Photos: Which Is Better for You?
Choose Ente Photos if:
- You want end-to-end encrypted photo storage where the provider does not hold the keys required to decrypt your library.
- You want more control over your library, including exports and local backups.
- You prefer open-source software that can be independently inspected.
- You want search and face recognition with on-device processing.
Choose Google Photos if:
- Advanced AI editing is important to you.
- You're heavily invested in the Google ecosystem.
- Lower-cost storage is a higher priority.
- End-to-end encryption isn't a requirement for you.
Switching From Google Photos to Ente
You can move your Google Photos library to Ente by exporting it through Google Takeout and importing it with Ente's desktop app.
Ente imports your photos in their original quality and parses Google Takeout metadata during import.
You don't have to delete your Google Photos library to try Ente. You can use both services at the same time while you make the switch.
Follow the step-by-step Google Photos migration guide→
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Ente replace Google Photos?
For most everyday photo-library needs, yes. Ente supports photo backup, search, face recognition, organization, sharing, and access across devices.
Google Photos offers more advanced AI editing and deeper integration with Google's ecosystem, while Ente is built around end-to-end encryption and greater control over your photo library.
Does Ente compress my photos?
No. Ente backs up photos and videos in their original quality without compression.
Can I share photos with people who don't use Ente?
Yes. People can view albums through public links without creating an Ente account. Ente's Collect feature also lets them contribute photos through a web browser without an account or app.
Can I use Ente Photos on multiple devices?
Yes. Ente provides apps for iOS, Android, web, Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Have more questions? Visit the Ente Photos Help Center for guides on backup, sharing, security, account recovery, migration, and more.
Ready to Try Ente?
Get 10 GB of free storage (20 GB free with referral) and try Ente Photos.