Compare · checked 25 September 2026

PhotoAlbumsMesh vs Immich: self-hosted power, or set up in minutes

Immich is free, open-source software you run on your own server, with search, faces and maps. PhotoAlbumsMesh needs no server: install it on a family computer and scan a code with each phone.

Question	PhotoAlbumsMesh	Immich
Where do the family's photos live?	On your own computer at home, in plain folders. The planned Cloud tier adds an encrypted copy in our cloud.	On your own server.
Does everyone need an account?	No. Phones join by scanning a code on your computer. Only the planned Cloud tier adds sign-in.	A user account on your own server.
What does it cost?	Free over direct connections, at home or away. Sync Anywhere, for backup through our relay, is $24.99 a year for the whole family. You need a computer with room for the photos.	Free and open source. An optional supporter key is $99.99 per server or $24.99 per person.
Is set-up simple, with no technical knowledge?	Yes. Install it on the computer, then scan a code with each phone. No server addresses, passwords or settings to type.	No. You run a server with Docker, then set up each phone with the server address.
Do you need to buy hardware?	No. It uses the computer you already have. A USB drive for a second copy is optional.	A server with Docker, at least 6 GB of memory and 2 processor cores.
Android and iPhone in one family?	Yes. Mixed families are the normal case.	Yes, apps for both.
Is junk left out before backup?	Yes. Screenshots, receipts, price tags and near copies stay on the phone, never deleted.	No filter before backup.
Trip albums from every family member's phone?	Yes. One album per place visited, with photos from every phone that was there.	A map and memories. Trip albums are a feature request.
Plain folders you can open without the app?	Yes. Person and phone, then year and month, on the drive you choose.	Off by default. A storage template must be switched on.
Which computers?	Windows, Mac and Linux, with the same features.	Server software. Running it on Windows is "strongly discouraged".
Backup while away from home?	Yes: free when the phone can connect directly, otherwise through our relay with Sync Anywhere, sealed end to end.	Yes, if you set up remote access to your server.

Immich facts are from its public pages as seen on 25 September 2026: Immich requirements, Immich mobile backup. Prices in US dollars. Something out of date? Tell us and we will fix it.

Choose Immich if

You are comfortable running Docker on a home server.
You want search by faces and objects, and open-source code.

Choose PhotoAlbumsMesh if

You want something the whole family can set up and use, with no server.
You want plain folders by person, and trip albums from every phone.
You want backup while away without opening your home network.

Try PhotoAlbumsMesh when it is ready

Direct backup is free for the whole family, at home or away. Email only, no account.

Other comparisons: Google Photos · iCloud Photos · Mylio Photos · Synology BeeStation · PhotoSync

Immich is a trademark of the Immich project. PhotoAlbumsMesh is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the Immich project.