news.volyx.in

Photoprism – open-source Google Photos Alternative (photoprism.app)

501 points by lom · 1303 days ago · 155 comments on HN

Article summary

PhotoPrism is an open-source, AI-powered photo management app that allows users to browse, organize, and share photos and videos. It can be self-hosted or run in the cloud and is designed with privacy and freedom in mind. The app provides features such as tagging, searching, and rediscovering media, and is fully GDPR-compliant. It also offers a demo and step-by-step installation guides for various platforms.

Main themes

  • self-hosting
  • photo management
  • privacy and security
  • alternative storage solutions
  • Google Photos alternatives
  • data safety and backups
  • AI-powered features
  • user interface and usability

What commenters say

  • Some users are successfully self-hosting PhotoPrism using Docker and other tools, finding it easy to set up and use.
  • The app's classification features can be amusing but are still a work in progress, and some users find the UI lacking in polish.
  • A highly requested feature is the ability to share entire photo collections with guests without giving them full admin access, which is currently in development.
  • Some users prefer PhotoStructure over PhotoPrism due to its simpler installation process and faster performance, but others find PhotoPrism's features more comprehensive.
  • The cost of hosting a large photo library can be prohibitively expensive, with some users opting for alternative storage solutions like Backblaze B2 or building their own Linux machines.
  • There are various alternatives to Google Photos being discussed, including Synology Photos, PikaPods, and Simple Gallery Pro, each with their own strengths and weaknesses.
  • Some users value the ability to extract HDR photos from videos, a feature currently offered by Google Photos but not by all alternatives.
  • The importance of backups and data safety is emphasized, with some users recommending solutions like git-annex and Nextcloud to ensure data integrity.