Google Photos vs iCloud Backup
Google Photos
google.com
iCloud Backup
apple.comSide by side
| Figure | Google Photos | iCloud Backup |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 10 | 9 |
| Spec score · Photo Storage Services | 9.3 (#4) | 9.3 (#5) |
| Spec score · Photo Management Software | 9.3 (#3) | 9.3 (#4) |
| Spec score · Mobile Data Backup Software | 9.3 (#2) | 9.2 (#3) |
| Automatic backup | Turning on Backup automatically saves photos and videos to the user's Google Account, and the library can be synchronized across devices. | iCloud Backup can run automatically when an iPhone or iPad is locked, connected to power and on Wi-Fi. |
| Company headquarters | Google's corporate history identifies the Googleplex in Mountain View, California as its current headquarters. | LinkedIn lists Apple's headquarters in Cupertino, California. |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Paid from | 1.99 | 0.99 |
Plans
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
iCloud Backup
- iCloud freeFree
- iCloud 5GBPriced on request
- iCloud 5GBPrice not published
- iCloud+ 50GB$0.99 a month
- iCloud+ 200GB$2.99 a month
- iCloud+ 2TB$9.99 a month
- iCloud+ 6TB$29.99 a month
- iCloud+ 12TB$59.99 a month
- iCloud 5GBFree
In their own words
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.
iCloud Backup
iCloud Backup is Apple’s iOS service for backing up and synchronizing files and other data across devices. It supports mobile and video backup, file restoration, original-quality storage, face search, shared albums, family sharing, and a desktop app. The free plan includes 5 GB. Paid iCloud+ storage starts at $0.99 a month for 50GB, with monthly tiers of 2.99 USD for 200GB, 9.99 USD for 2TB, 29.99 USD for 6TB, and 59.99 USD for 12TB. The 50GB tier adds iCloud Private Relay, Hide My Email, Custom Email Domain, and HomeKit Secure Video for one camera. The 200GB tier supports five cameras, and 2TB supports unlimited cameras; higher tiers include the preceding features. Computer and server backup are not supported, and ransomware protection is not included. The service is listed for iOS.