Cluster vs Google Photos
Cluster
cluster.co
Google Photos
google.comSide by side
| Figure | Cluster | Google Photos |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 4 | 10 |
| Spec score · Photo Storage Services | 8.1 (#25) | 9.3 (#4) |
| Integrations | Subscriptions are purchased through the Apple App Store or Google Play; the maker does not list other integrations on the pages reviewed. | Google Photos lists camera and digitization partners including Canon and Photomyne, print partners including Walgreens and Shutterfly, and TV platforms including Google TV and Samsung. |
| Privacy | Only invited users can see and post to albums. | Google says Photos does not sell users’ photos, videos, or personal information and does not use their photos and videos for advertising. |
| Security | The privacy policy says Cluster uses SSL to encrypt communications between its servers and client applications and does not guarantee complete security. | Google says Photos data is protected with HTTPS encryption in transit and encryption at rest. |
| Storage | Cluster says photos are stored in redundant cloud locations and accessed over an encrypted connection. | Every Google Account includes 15 GB shared across Google Photos, Gmail, and Google Drive at no cost. |
Plans
Cluster
- FreeFree
- FamilyPrice not published
- FriendPrice not published
- ProPrice not published
Google Photos
- FreeFree
- Basic$1.99 a month
- Google AI Plus$9.99 a month
- Google AI Pro$19.99 a month
- FreeFree
- Basic$1.99 a month
- Google AI Plus$9.99 a month
- Google One Basic (100 GB)¥290 a month
- Google AI Plus (2 TB)¥1,450 a month
- Google AI Pro (5 TB)¥2,900 a month
In their own words
Cluster
Cluster provides private group sharing for friends and family outside social media. Members create groups for photos, videos, comments, and chat, with album access limited to invited users. Owners can share a private invitation link, and recipients can request to join. Notifications show when something new is added, while members can see who viewed or liked posts. Group photos can be turned into printed photo books. Cluster runs on Android, iOS, and the web, with no desktop app listed. Its free plan allows up to 10 groups, 1,000 photos per group, and 50 members per group; free video uploads are limited to one minute and SD quality. Cluster says photos are stored in redundant cloud locations and accessed over encrypted connections. Its policy describes SSL communications, does not guarantee complete security, and allows data downloads and deletion requests. Cluster is maintained by Fotoloce.
Google Photos
Google Photos is a service for editing, organizing, searching, backing up, and sharing photos and videos. It runs on Android, iOS, and the web. A Google Account includes 15 GB shared among Photos, Gmail, and Drive at no cost; Original quality backups use that storage. Users can back up media automatically or manually, and share photos, videos, and albums with people who do not use Google Photos. The app lists AI editing tools including Magic Eraser and Photo Unblur. It supports full-resolution RAW image backup and cloud storage for 4K video. Google lists paid monthly plans including Basic at $1.99 a month for 100 GB, Google AI Plus at $9.99 a month for 2 TB, and Google AI Pro at $19.99 a month for 5 TB; each allows up to five additional people. The natural-language search example is limited to eligible US users aged 18 or older who meet specified language and settings requirements. Google says data is encrypted in transit and at rest, and users can delete or export their content.