FileWays – Best Overall for Photo Storage (Quality + Privacy + Control)
Why it’s #1 for photos:
FileWays treats your photos as personal data—not ad fuel. It’s ideal if you want to store in original resolution, share securely, and keep full control—without compression or hidden scanning.
✅ Key Advantages:
- Free: 5GB (holds ~1,500 high-quality JPEGs or ~200 RAW files)
- 100GB for $49/year—excellent value for serious photo libraries
- No compression: Upload and store full-resolution JPEG, HEIC, RAW, or ProRes videos
- Encrypted sharing: Send private albums via secure link (add password or auto-expiry)
- Automatic photo backup (opt-in via mobile app)
- Full iOS & Android apps + Files app integration on iPhone
- Zero AI scanning, no facial recognition, no data mining
- Offline access: Save favorite photos to your phone for viewing without internet
Best for:
- Photographers (hobbyist or pro)
- Families backing up milestone moments
- Travelers sharing high-res albums across iPhone and Android
- Anyone who wants true ownership of their memories
iCloud Photos – Best for Apple-Only Simplicity
Pros:
- Seamless auto-upload across iPhone, iPad, and Mac
- Full-resolution storage (if you pay)
- Clean, native photo experience
Cons:
- Only 5GB free—fills up fast
- 100GB = $36/year, but no secure external sharing (shared albums are Apple-only)
- No access on Android—relatives on Android can’t view your albums easily
- No control over encryption
Best if: You only use Apple devices and want hands-off backup.
Google Photos – Best for Free (But Compromised)
Important: Google ended unlimited free photo backup in 2021. As of 2025:
- All new uploads count against your 15GB Google account limit
- “Storage saver” = compressed (not original quality)
- Original quality = full resolution, but uses storage quickly
- Google scans every photo for AI profiling (faces, locations, objects)
Best for: Casual users okay with compression and data tracking who want smart search (“photos of dogs”).
⚠️ Warning: If you have 10,000+ photos, you’ll hit 15GB fast—and Google stops backing up without warning.
Other Options:
| Service | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Amazon Photos | Unlimited full-resolution photos for Prime members ($139/year). Good if you’re already a Prime subscriber—but app is slow and sharing is basic. |
| Dropbox | Stores photos like files—no photo-specific features. Only 2GB free. |
| MEGA | 20GB free with encryption, but slow uploads and poor photo preview experience. |
Which Should You Choose?
| Your Priority | Best Choice |
|---|---|
| Privacy + original quality | FileWays |
| Automatic iPhone backup | iCloud Photos |
| Free storage (with compression) | Google Photos |
| Unlimited photos (if you have Prime) | Amazon Photos |
| Secure sharing with Android/iPhone users | FileWays |
Final Recommendation:
For most people in 2025, FileWays is the best cloud storage for photos. It gives you:
- Full-resolution backup
- True privacy (no AI, no ads)
- Easy, secure sharing across all devices
- Fair, transparent pricing
You’re not just storing photos—you’re protecting memories.
👉 Get started free with 5GB on FileWays—no credit card, no scanning, just your photos, safe and accessible.
