Immich

Self-Hosted

Open-source alternative to Google Photos for self-hosted photo and video management

Overview

Immich is a self-hosted photo and video solution that lets users store, organize, and share media privately. Key features include automatic mobile backup (iOS/Android), facial recognition, geotagging with map view, RAW file support, album creation, and metadata preservation. It offers intuitive web and mobile interfaces. Deployment is straightforward via Docker Compose, making it accessible for self-hosters of all levels. Users retain full control over their data, with support for external storage like S3 and no reliance on proprietary cloud services.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  immich:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: immich
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Automatic mobile backup (iOS/Android)
Facial recognition and people tagging
Geotagging with interactive map view
RAW file support and metadata preservation
Album creation and secure sharing links

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Immich hard to install?

Immich is easy to install using Docker Compose—official docs provide a one-click setup script and clear instructions. It also supports Unraid, Synology, and other NAS systems with pre-built templates, making it accessible for beginners.

? Is Immich a good alternative to Google Photos?

Yes—Immich matches core Google Photos features like automatic backup, facial recognition, and sharing, but with full data control. It lacks some cloud-exclusive AI tools but excels at privacy and self-hosted flexibility.

? Is Immich completely free?

Immich is 100% open-source and free to use. All features are available without subscription fees. Donations support development but are not required to access any functionality.

Top Alternatives

Google Photos Compare

Apple Photos Search Google

Dropbox Photos Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Open Source

Category Photo Galleries

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Privacy-focused (full data ownership)
⊕ No subscription fees
⊕ Feature-rich (comparable to Google Photos)
⊕ Easy Docker Compose deployment
⊕ Cross-platform (web + mobile apps)

Cons

⊖ Requires server resources (especially for facial recognition)
⊖ Initial setup needs basic Docker knowledge
⊖ Mobile sync may have occasional minor issues
⊖ Limited AI editing features compared to cloud services