For years, Google Photos has been my go-to solution for viewing and organizing my ever-expanding photograph collection. For the most part, I had few complaints and enjoyed its convenience, automation, and seamless integration across all my devices. However, I was keen to step away from allowing Google access to my user data, as I had already done with Google Maps. Motivated by the realization that I had willingly handed my memories to an organization that thrives on collecting personal information, I started searching for an alternative.
This is how I discovered Ente, a well-designed, privacy-respecting alternative to Google Photos that offers end-to-end encryption, automatic backups, and seamless multi-device syncing with no data tracking or distracting ads. Upon making the switch, I was surprised to learn that Ente didn't just match Google Photos' convenience; it actually surpassed it in almost every way.
Ente OS Windows, Mac Price model Free (paid plans available)
Ente is a browser-based photo gallery with a companion app that is similar in function and appearance to Google Photos. It is privacy-focused, making it a good alternative to many online photo galleries.
See at Ente See at App Store See at Google Play Store Expand Collapse Ente offers true data ownership and privacy My photos are finally mine again, and no one's watching over my shoulder
The most crucial difference between Google and Ente is their approach to privacy by design. By agreeing to Google's terms of service, each time I upload a photo to its servers, I am handing over its metadata and location info, and allowing it to use AI to improve its algorithms. My library is mine to manipulate and download, but I am not fully in control of it.
Ente, on the other hand, completely flips this dynamic. Everything I upload is encrypted on my device before it ever reaches their servers. I received a 24-word secret key to restore my data on any device. Only I and those that I share my photos with have access to my images, and the platform doesn't learn from my digital content, use it for advertising, or profit from it in any other way.
It's not a perfect system -- more on that later -- but there's something very freeing in the knowledge that my memories won't be mined, analyzed, or monetized. My photo collection feels personal again, a real breath of fresh air in an age where true privacy is becoming scarcer by the day.
Powerful features without being locked in Everything I loved about Google Photos, but minus the surveillance
My main concern upon switching to Ente was that I'd lose the convenience that Google Photos offers in spades. I especially enjoyed its automatic backups, automated compilations, and powerful search capabilities. However, I needn't have worried, as Ente automatically uploads photos and videos, just as Google does, sorts them into albums, tags them, and provides the same sharing options.
Sharing is simple and secure, with encrypted links, password protection, and expiry dates for extra control. However, what really stands out is Ente's multi-platform support. Whether I'm on iOS, Android, or desktop, my gallery stays in sync and is encrypted end-to-end.
All these features were reassuring, and I felt more confident in cutting ties with Google's tried-and-true, ubiquitous service. With flexible storage plans and transparent pricing, I no longer feel trapped in an ever-expanding ecosystem or pressured into buying more storage for a service that profits from my personal data.
Built to last An open-source service that puts me first
Ente is an open-source platform built on transparency and user trust. I am confident that it won't change its terms, pricing, or features overnight, and, as it is independently audited, I can easily verify that it does exactly what it promises.
I can choose where my data is stored, migrate data easily, and export everything whenever I like. Ente's roadmap is community-driven and focused on long-term sustainability, not short-term profits, so it feels like it's designed to serve my needs, rather than to fuel algorithms or fund advertisers. The open-source nature of its services makes Ente future-proof in a way that Google Photos will never be, and as long as I have my unique, 24-word encrypted key, my data is mine and mine alone.
It's not quite perfect (yet) However, the trade-off is well worth it
Switching from a familiar and time-tested platform was never going to be completely seamless. Ente doesn't have all the same AI-powered tools that Google Photos offers, like auto-generated memories and musical collages; however, you can enable automatic tagging and facial recognition in the Ente app. I chose to skip these features, as those conveniences come at the cost of my privacy.
Instead, Ente focuses on giving me control over my memories. Setup is simple -- just download the app or access the website, create an account, and let it handle backups automatically. There's no server setup or technical know-how required, unlike other privacy-focused platforms like Nextcloud Photos. While Ente does have some pretty cool features, if you've relied heavily on Google's smart functionality, there will likely be an adjustment period, and compromises will have to be made.
Another, albeit minor, gripe is the uninspiring interface. Where Google Photos offers an uncluttered yet functional display, with neat organization and a highly functional sidebar, Ente falls a little flat. While I was impressed with Ente's comprehensive suite of editing tools and a helpful shortcut for fixing timestamps, the services on offer pale in comparison to Google Photos' user-friendly offerings.
The effort is worth my freedom Once I switched, I'm never going back
It's liberating to know that my digital memories are my own again. Thanks to Ente, I have the best of both worlds -- a secure, private, aesthetically pleasing, and intuitive online photo experience that respects my data and keeps my images in sync.
I felt immediately at ease when I received my 24-word encrypted key, which is a system that has been used to safeguard cryptocurrency wallets for years. If securely stored, this provides almost fail-safe protection and can be used to restore my data on any device should I lose access to my account.
It took a large leap of faith to leave Google Photos, and I even ran both programs concurrently to make sure I was fully satisfied with Ente before removing my data from Google Photos entirely. However, I am now fully satisfied that I made the right choice. With its free first 10GB of storage, a starting price of $2.99 per month for 50GB, and subscription options that run into multiple terabytes, it is cheaper than my Google One package for my requirements.
The best gallery is the one you own
Replacing Google Photos required not just a software change, but also a shift in mindset. For too long, I had been a passive consumer in the grip of a big tech company that used its compatibility and convenience as a ball and chain. By moving to a secure, private gallery, I became an active steward of my own digital memories. Sure, it took a little research, manual categorization, and reorganizing files before I was fully satisfied. But the payoff in having total privacy, full control, and independence from a major corporation has certainly been worth the one-time effort.
Ente has reminded me that technology is there to serve us, not the other way round. It should be up to us as individuals to determine what we want to share, and we should have a say in how companies profit from our data. If you have ever considered taking back control of your digital domain, reclaiming your photos and videos is a good place to start. Ente provides a home where your memories belong only to you.