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SPECIFICTION
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Pho

pho.tools

From $1.67/mo Free plan macOSiOSAndroid
Visit pho.tools
Spec score 8.1 #12 of 25 in Photo Backup Software

What it is

Pho is a photo backup and gallery app that syncs mobile camera-roll images to storage chosen by the user. It uploads original-quality photos in the background and displays local and remote images together in a timeline with pinch-to-zoom and full-screen viewing. Listed storage includes SMB, WebDAV, NFS, Google Drive, Baidu Netdisk, and S3-compatible services such as AWS S3, Backblaze B2, Cloudflare R2, and MinIO. The sync engine is built into the app, so Pho says no separate Docker container, database, or reverse proxy is needed. Photos go directly to user-controlled storage rather than through Pho’s servers; the maker also says it has no central database, analytics pipeline, or ads. Files use a date-based directory structure that can be browsed with a file manager. The free tier provides a local gallery and basic cloud sync for personal use. Pro adds AES-256 encryption, custom sync filters, multi-threaded sync, multiple directory structures, theme colors, a Release Space tool, and priority support. The annual Pro plan is $19.99 a year.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Pho is a photo backup and gallery app that syncs mobile camera-roll photos to storage chosen by the user.Read 3 Oct 2026 · pho.tools
Intended users
Pho describes its free tier as intended for personal use and positions the app for people backing up photos to storage they own.Read 3 Oct 2026 · pho.tools
Privacy
Pho says photos go directly to user-controlled storage and do not pass through its servers; it also says it has no central database, analytics pipeline, or ads.Read 3 Oct 2026 · pho.tools
Headquarters
Chengdu, Sichuan, ChinaRead 28 Sep 2026 · pho.tools
Background backup
Pho watches the camera roll and uploads original-quality photos in the background.Read 3 Oct 2026 · pho.tools
Encryption
AES encryption is a Pro feature, and the product page specifies AES-256 encryption.Read 3 Oct 2026 · pho.tools
File access
Photos are stored in a transparent date-based directory structure and can be browsed directly with a file manager.Read 3 Oct 2026 · pho.tools
Open source
Pho says its core sync engine is open source on GitHub, while Pro features extend that open core.Read 3 Oct 2026 · pho.tools
Pro features
The Pro plan lists custom sync filters, multi-threaded sync, multiple directory structures, custom theme colors, a Release Space tool, and priority support.Read 3 Oct 2026 · pho.tools
Serverless design
Pho says its sync engine is embedded in the app and requires no separate Docker container, database, or reverse proxy.Read 3 Oct 2026 · pho.tools
Sharing
The iOS app can share originals through the native share sheet without compression or watermarks and export originals to the camera roll or other apps.Read 3 Oct 2026 · pho.tools
Storage integrations
Pho lists SMB, WebDAV, NFS, Google Drive, Baidu Netdisk, and S3-compatible storage including AWS S3, Backblaze B2, Cloudflare R2, and MinIO.Read 3 Oct 2026 · pho.tools
Unified gallery
The app displays local and remote photos together in a single timeline with pinch-to-zoom and full-screen viewing.Read 3 Oct 2026 · pho.tools

Plans and prices

Free Free $0 forever Local gallery · Basic cloud sync · Personal use Read 3 Oct 2026 · pho.tools
Pro (Annual) $19.99 a year $19.99 / year AES Encryption · Custom Sync Filters · Multi-threaded Sync · Multiple Directory Structures · Custom Theme Colors · Release Space tool · Priority support Read 3 Oct 2026 · pho.tools

Every Pho plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Uploads original-quality photos in the background.
  • Supports SMB, WebDAV, NFS, and listed cloud storage.
  • Photos go directly to user-controlled storage.
  • Files can be browsed in a date-based directory structure.

Limits

  • AES-256 encryption is a Pro feature.
  • Free tier is positioned for personal use.
  • Pro is billed yearly at $19.99 a year.

Who it suits

Pho suits people who want to back up photos to storage they control, including NAS or external drives. Its local-and-remote timeline may also suit users who want one gallery view across those locations.

Verdict

Pho centers photo backup on storage the user selects, with a unified gallery and no separate server components required. The free tier covers personal use; the annual Pro tier adds encryption and sync controls.

Where Specifiction places it

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