Ente Photos
End-to-end encrypted photo backup with a free 10 GB plan, open source and self-hostable
- Version
- 1.7.31 (desktop)
- Released
- October 2026
- Size
- 157 MB (Windows installer), 291 MB (macOS dmg)
- License
- AGPL-3.0 · Open source
About Ente Photos
Ente Photos is a photo backup and gallery app built around end-to-end encryption: your library is encrypted on your device before upload, so even Ente cannot see your pictures. Everything client-side is AGPL-3.0 open source, and the whole stack can be self-hosted if you want full control.
It covers the ground you would expect from Google Photos, minus the scanning: automatic backup from phones and desktops, albums and sharing (with end-to-end encrypted shared links), face grouping and location views computed on-device, original-quality storage, and apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. The desktop client is at version 1.7.31 (October 2026) - about 157 MB on Windows and 291 MB on macOS. The free plan includes 10 GB of encrypted storage, with paid plans above that; self-hosting removes the storage cap entirely if you run your own server.
The honest trade-offs: 10 GB fills up quickly for a phone library, so heavy users will need a paid plan or the self-hosted route; encryption means some conveniences (server-side search by image content, web-based AI features) are more limited than Google's; and sharing recipients need a link rather than a native app experience. Verdict: the strongest private replacement for Google Photos, with open code you can audit and a free tier generous enough to try properly.
Key Features
End-to-end encryption
Photos are encrypted on your device before upload; only you hold the keys
Automatic backup
Phones and desktops sync originals to encrypted cloud storage
On-device intelligence
Face grouping and location organization computed locally
Encrypted sharing
Share albums or links without exposing contents to the server
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Real end-to-end encryption with open, auditable code
- Free 10 GB plan, no card required
- Full platform coverage including Linux
- Self-hosting option removes reliance on the company
- Clean gallery apps with on-device face and location grouping
Cons
- 10 GB free tier is small for a growing phone library
- Some server-side conveniences of Google Photos are not possible under encryption
- Sharing works via links; recipients do not need the app but get a web view
- Self-hosting requires running a server and object storage
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ente Photos free?
Yes: the apps are AGPL-3.0 open source and the hosted service includes a free 10 GB plan with no card required. Paid plans add storage, and self-hosting the server removes the cap.
Can Ente see my photos?
No. Photos are encrypted on your device before upload and the keys stay with you; the code is open source so this can be independently verified. Face grouping and similar features run on your device.
Can I self-host it?
Yes. The server and clients are AGPL-3.0; you can run the full stack on your own hardware and point the apps at it.