There are many cloud photo storage services available, but the best one depends on your use case. This article compares major cloud photo services by purpose and helps you choose the right one.
Key Service Features
Google Photos
Free up to 15GB (shared with Gmail, etc.). Features advanced AI capabilities like face recognition and location search. Best for long-term storage and backup.
iCloud Photos
Deeply integrated with Apple devices. Free up to 5GB. Most convenient for iPhone users, but compatibility with Android environments is limited.
Amazon Photos
Unlimited photo storage for Prime members. RAW support makes it popular with photographers. However, Prime membership (monthly fee) is required.
PicTomo
Specialized for temporary event photo sharing. No account needed, QR code sharing, auto-deletion. Excels at "collecting and sharing" rather than long-term storage.
Recommendations by Use Case
Daily Photo Backup
Recommended: Google Photos or iCloud - Auto-backup features automatically save daily photos to the cloud. Search capabilities are excellent.
Event Photo Collection and Sharing
Recommended: PicTomo - Collect photos from all participants via QR code. No account required so anyone can join. Auto-deletion after expiration ensures privacy.
Family Photo Sharing
Recommended: Google Photos or iCloud - Shared album features enable long-term sharing and management of family photos.
Bulk RAW Photo Storage
Recommended: Amazon Photos - Unlimited photos for Prime members with RAW format support, ideal for photographer backups.
Smart Combination Strategy
You don't need one service to meet all your needs. Here's an efficient approach:
- Event day: Use PicTomo to collect everyone's photos via QR code
- After the event: Download all photos as a ZIP from PicTomo
- Long-term storage: Upload downloaded photos to Google Photos or iCloud
Summary
The best cloud photo service differs for "long-term storage" versus "temporary sharing." Use Google Photos or iCloud for daily backup, PicTomo for event photo collection, and Amazon Photos for bulk RAW storage - choose the right tool for each purpose.