Piwigo

Self-Hosted

Open-source photo gallery software for self-hosting

Overview

Piwigo is an open-source, self-hosted photo gallery platform designed to organize, share, and showcase images/videos. It supports unlimited media storage (server-dependent), album management, tagging, geolocation, and user permissions (public/private access). Deployment options include Docker, PHP/MySQL web hosting, or one-click installs on Yunohost. Features like watermarking, EXIF data handling, and Lightroom integration make it ideal for photographers. It prioritizes privacy, letting users retain full control over their media instead of relying on third-party 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:
  piwigo:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: piwigo
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Unlimited media storage (server-dependent)
Advanced album management with tagging and geolocation
Fine-grained user permissions for public/private access
Watermarking and EXIF data preservation

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Piwigo hard to install?

Piwigo is accessible to most users with options like Docker (simplest for beginners) or manual setup on PHP/MySQL-compatible hosts. One-click installs on platforms like Yunohost further reduce technical barriers.

? Is it a good alternative to Google Photos?

Yes—Piwigo offers full privacy control (no data mining), unlimited storage (server-dependent), and advanced features like watermarking. It lacks Google's AI tagging but excels at organization and customization.

? Is Piwigo completely free?

Piwigo is 100% free and open-source (GPL license). There are no subscription costs, though optional premium plugins or server hosting fees may apply based on your needs.

Top Alternatives

Google Photos Compare

Flickr Compare

SmugMug Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Free/Open Source

Category Photo Galleries

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Privacy-focused (full control over your media)
⊕ No subscription fees
⊕ Extensive plugin ecosystem for customization

Cons

⊖ Requires PHP/MySQL server setup (or Docker)
⊖ Steeper learning curve for advanced features
⊖ Mobile app has limited functionality compared to web