Last verified: September 2026
Ente Photos and OneDrive both let you back up, store, access, and share photos across devices.
A key difference is what each service is designed for: Ente is a dedicated photo storage and management service with end-to-end encryption by default. OneDrive is a general-purpose file storage service that treats photos as one file type among many.
Quick Comparison
Questions | Ente Photos | OneDrive |
|---|---|---|
Are my photos end-to-end encrypted? | Yes, by default | No, only server-side encryption |
Is it open source? | Yes, independently audited | No |
Is it designed specifically for photos? | Yes | No, general file storage |
Does it recognize faces? | Yes, on-device | Yes, processed on Microsoft's servers |
Does it have memories and map views? | Yes | Basic "On this day" memories, no dedicated map view |
How much free storage do I get? | 10 GB (20 GB with referral) | 5 GB, shared with all files |
Does it have a Linux app? | Yes | No |
Can I share with people without an account? | Yes | Yes |
Privacy & Security
Both Ente and OneDrive encrypt data, but they use different encryption models.
With Ente, your photos are end-to-end encrypted on your device before upload. Ente does not have the keys required to decrypt your photos. This means Ente cannot access the contents of your 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.
Read about Ente's security audit→
OneDrive uses server-side encryption, where Microsoft holds the encryption keys. This means Microsoft can access your files for AI processing, compliance, and other purposes.
Learn about OneDrive's security→
Features, AI & Sharing
Both services can store, search, and share photos, but they're built for different jobs: Ente is a photo library, while OneDrive is a general-purpose file storage service.
Ente includes face recognition, Magic Search, similar-image detection, curated memories, map views, albums, and organization by date and location. Face recognition and Magic Search run on your device.
Learn more about Ente's features →
OneDrive offers face grouping and photo search through Microsoft's cloud, along with Copilot-powered search on eligible plans. This processing happens on Microsoft's servers rather than on your device.
Photo editing
Ente currently provides basic editing tools. OneDrive relies on the Windows Photos app for editing, with more advanced tools available through Microsoft's other apps.
Sharing & collaboration
Ente supports shared and collaborative albums, comments and likes, Collect links, Trip layouts, embedded albums, and custom domains. Recipients can view or contribute to albums without creating an Ente account. Ente's shared albums, collaborative albums, comments, and likes are also end-to-end encrypted.
OneDrive lets you share files and folders through links and manage permissions, but it doesn't have a dedicated photo-album experience — shared photos are shared as files within folders, the same as any other file type.
Pricing & Storage
Plan | Ente Photos | OneDrive |
|---|---|---|
Free | 10 GB (20 GB with referral) | 5 GB, shared with all files |
Entry paid plan | 50 GB – $2.49/month | 100 GB – $1.99/month |
Family sharing | Up to 6 people total | Microsoft 365 Family (6 TB total, up to 6 people) |
Data replication | 3 copies in 3 countries | Microsoft's infrastructure |
Customer support | Human support team | Community support (free), Microsoft support on paid plans |
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 | OneDrive
Why does Ente cost more than OneDrive?
OneDrive's entry-level plan looks cheaper on paper, but it bundles ad-free Outlook and other Microsoft 365 features alongside storage - it isn't a photo-storage price. Ente's price is for photo storage alone.
With a paid Ente plan, your photos are end-to-end encrypted by default, backed up in three copies across three different cloud providers, and supported by real human support. This means Ente can't access your photos, and your memories aren't dependent on a single storage provider.
You're paying for more than storage space. You're paying for privacy and resilience built into how your photos are stored.
Read about Ente's reliability and replication →
Backup & Data Control
Both services let you export your photos, but Ente places greater emphasis on keeping your library portable.
Ente provides one-click in-app exports, CLI tools, continuous local copies through its desktop app, and support across Windows, macOS, and Linux. Album structure and metadata can be preserved.
Learn more about exporting from Ente→
OneDrive syncs files to a local folder through its desktop app (with Files On-Demand for on-disk vs. cloud-only files), and lets you download your data through Microsoft's account data export tools.
Learn about exporting from OneDrive→
What about Linux and mixed-device households?
Ente works across iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, and the web, so everyone in a household can access and share photos regardless of platform.
OneDrive has no official Linux desktop client and is built around Windows first, with Mac, iOS, Android, and web apps as secondary experiences.
For households with even one Linux machine, Ente is the option that works the same way everywhere.
Ente Photos vs. OneDrive: Which Is Better for You?
Choose Ente Photos if:
- You want end-to-end encryption enabled by default.
- You want a service designed specifically around a photo library.
- You or your household use a mix of Windows, Mac, or Linux devices.
- You prefer open-source software that can be independently inspected.
- You want face recognition and search with on-device processing.
- You value access to human support.
Choose OneDrive if:
- You're already invested in Microsoft 365 and want photos bundled with it.
- You need general-purpose file storage for documents, not just photos.
- You primarily use Windows.
- Lower-cost entry storage matters more than end-to-end encryption.
Switching From OneDrive to Ente
You can move your photo library from OneDrive to Ente in a few steps.
Download your photos from OneDrive, then import the resulting folder into Ente using the desktop app.
Your photos are then uploaded to your end-to-end encrypted Ente library.
Import photos from your computer→
Frequently Asked Questions
Is OneDrive end-to-end encrypted?
No. OneDrive uses server-side encryption where Microsoft holds the encryption keys. This means Microsoft can access your files for AI processing, compliance, and other purposes. Ente Photos uses true end-to-end encryption where only you hold the keys.
Does OneDrive have a Linux app?
No. OneDrive does not have a Linux desktop app. Ente has full-featured desktop apps for Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Is OneDrive good for photos?
OneDrive can store photos, but it's primarily a file storage service. It lacks the photo-specific features found in dedicated photo apps, like on-device face recognition, collaborative albums, and the Collect feature. Ente is purpose-built for photos with these features included.
Which has more free storage: Ente or OneDrive?
Ente offers 10 GB free (20 GB with referral) compared to OneDrive's 5 GB. OneDrive's free storage is also shared with all files, while Ente's is dedicated to photos and videos.
Can I use OneDrive just for photos?
Yes, but you'll be using a file storage service for photo management. OneDrive doesn't have the same photo-focused features as Ente, like encrypted sharing, collaborative albums, or the Collect feature for gathering photos from others.
Does Ente have Microsoft 365 integration?
No. Ente is a standalone photo storage service focused on privacy and photo management. If you need Microsoft 365 integration, OneDrive is better suited. But for photos specifically, Ente offers a better experience.
Can I share albums with people who don't use Ente?
Yes. Ente allows you to share albums via encrypted links. Recipients don't need an Ente account to view the photos, and they can even add photos to your albums without creating an account.
Does OneDrive have face recognition?
Yes, but it processes your photos on Microsoft's servers. Ente also has face recognition, but it runs entirely on your device, maintaining your privacy.
Does Ente compress my photos?
No. Ente stores your photos in their original quality without compression. All photo metadata (EXIF, dates, location) is preserved.
What happens to my photos if I cancel my subscription?
With Ente, you can export all your photos with one click before canceling. After cancellation, you have a 30-day grace period before data is deleted. With OneDrive, canceling Microsoft 365 reduces your storage to the free tier, and excess files may be locked or deleted.
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 with referral) and try Ente Photos.