European Alternatives to iCloud Photos
Apple's native photo backup, integrated with iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV. Automatic face recognition and Memories.
iCloud Photos Features
- Native integration with iPhone/iPad/Mac/Apple TV
- Automatic face recognition and Memories
- 5 GB free shared (Photos, Mail, Backup)
- Family sharing via Apple Family
- E2E encryption possible BUT opt-in via Advanced Data Protection
- Proprietary source code
Price: Free (5 GB shared) / iCloud+ from 0,99€/month (50 GB) / 2 TB at 9,99€/month
Why leave iCloud Photos?
- Advanced Data Protection (E2E) is DISABLED by default — most users do not have their photos encrypted
- Without Advanced Data Protection, Apple can access your photos to 'provide and improve the service'
- Shared Albums and iCloud.com web access do NOT support Advanced Data Protection
- Apple Inc. is headquartered in Cupertino (United States) and subject to the US CLOUD Act
- Only 5 GB free, shared across Photos, Mail, Backup and more (vs 15 GB at Google)
Recommended : Ente Photos
Dedicated end-to-end encrypted, open-source photo service based in Berlin. On-device face and object recognition — no server-side analysis.
Country : DE
Compatibility Scores
- Migration : 75/100
- GDPR : 100/100
- Features : 90/100
- Overall Score : 89/100
Ente Photos Features
- 10 GB free for life
- E2E encryption (photos, metadata, sharing)
- On-device AI for faces/objects/search
- Open-source iOS/Android/desktop/web apps
- Encrypted sharing with family (up to 5 people on a paid plan)
- Replicated across 3 EU datacenters
Price: Free (10 GB) / Plus at 2,99€/month (200 GB) / Pro at 9,99€/month (2 TB)
Why this choice?
Ente Photos is our recommendation for iCloud Photos users because its E2E encryption is ENABLED by default, unlike Apple's Advanced Data Protection which is opt-in (disabled by default for 90% of users). Ente provides the same face/object recognition, all 100% on-device, with 10 GB free for life (vs 5 GB shared on iCloud) and German jurisdiction outside the CLOUD Act.
Switch from iCloud Photos to Ente Photos
Strengths
- Real E2E encryption ENABLED by default (vs Apple ADP opt-in, disabled by default)
- Polished native iOS apps
- On-device face/object recognition — same privacy stance as Apple
- 10 GB free for life (vs 5 GB shared at iCloud)
- Open source on the client side
Weaknesses
- No native Siri/Apple Watch integration
- Memories less prominent than on iCloud
- No native integration with the macOS Photos app
All Alternatives
- Ente Photos (DE) — Score : 89/100 (Recommended)
- Proton Drive Photos (CH) — Score : 84/100
- Infomaniak Photos (CH) — Score : 80/100