BackupPC vs Synology Photos
BackupPC
backuppc.github.io
Synology Photos
synology.comSide by side
| Figure | BackupPC | Synology Photos |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 2 |
| Spec score · Server Backup Software | 8.7 (#8) | 8.4 (#13) |
| Spec score · NAS Backup Software | 8.7 (#11) | 8.3 (#20) |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile backup | No | The mobile app can automatically back up new phone photos and videos to the NAS. |
| Purpose | BackupPC backs up Linux, Windows, and macOS PCs and laptops to a server's disk. | Synology Photos provides photo and video browsing, management, sharing, search, album grouping, upload, and preview workflows in DSM. |
Plans
In their own words
BackupPC
BackupPC backs up Linux, Windows, and macOS computers to a server’s disk. It is open-source software distributed under the GPL, with a free plan. No software needs to be installed on each computer; its documentation describes backup methods using SMB, rsync, tar, and FTP. Identical files found in different backups are stored once, and optional compression can reduce storage use while compressing only new files. Administrators can use the web interface to check logs, configuration, and status. Users can start or cancel backups, browse files, and restore them directly or download them as ZIP or tar archives. Scheduling settings cover parallel backups, full and incremental backups, and system-wide or per-computer configuration. BackupPC also supports laptops that connect intermittently or use dynamic IP addresses, with configurable email reminders when a computer has not been backed up recently. The project lists announcement, user-support, and developer mailing lists. Its listed latest release is version 4.4.0, dated June 20, 2020. The documentation says it is not intended to recreate a failed disk exactly.
Synology Photos
Synology Photos is a photo and video management service in DSM for browsing, organizing, searching, sharing, uploading, and previewing media. It requires a Synology NAS for private photo storage, and its mobile app can back up photos and videos to that NAS automatically. Users can share individual items or albums through links with passwords or expiration dates. Shared Space lets selected users collaborate, with access and editing rights assigned by folder. Organization tools include custom and conditional albums, automatic grouping, and facial and object recognition on supported NAS models. RAW files are supported; previews for HEIC/HEVC files and compressed videos require Synology Image Assistant. Mobile apps require iOS 16 or later or Android 11 or later; TV apps support Apple TV and Android TV. Chrome and Safari are recommended for web use. Synology Photos is free, with no paid premium tiers listed.