Google Photos vs. iCloud

Attribute	Google Photos	iCloud
Storage	15 GB free, additional storage available for purchase	5 GB free, additional storage available for purchase
Platform	Available on Android, iOS, and web	Available on iOS and web
Automatic Backup	Automatically backs up photos and videos	Automatically backs up photos and videos
Sharing	Easy sharing options with friends and family	Sharing options available, but not as user-friendly
Editing Tools	Basic editing tools available	Basic editing tools available

Storage Capacity

Google Photos offers users 15 GB of free storage space, which is shared with other Google services like Gmail and Google Drive. Users can purchase additional storage if needed. On the other hand, iCloud provides users with 5 GB of free storage space, which is also shared with other iCloud services like iCloud Drive and iCloud Mail. Users can upgrade their storage plan for a monthly fee.

Automatic Backup

Google Photos automatically backs up photos and videos from a user's device when connected to Wi-Fi. Users can choose to back up in high quality or original quality. iCloud also offers automatic backup of photos and videos, but users need to enable the feature in their settings. iCloud backs up in original quality by default, which may consume more storage space.

Organization and Search

Google Photos uses machine learning to organize photos by people, places, and things. Users can search for specific photos using keywords like "beach" or "dog" and Google Photos will display relevant results. iCloud also organizes photos by date and location, but it doesn't offer the same level of advanced search capabilities as Google Photos.

Sharing Features

Google Photos allows users to easily share photos and albums with others through a link. Users can also create shared albums where multiple people can contribute photos. iCloud offers similar sharing features, but users need to have an iCloud account to access shared albums. Google Photos may be more convenient for sharing with non-iOS users.

Editing Tools

Google Photos provides users with basic editing tools like cropping, rotating, and applying filters to photos. Users can also create animations, collages, and movies using their photos. iCloud offers similar editing tools, but users may find Google Photos' interface more user-friendly and intuitive.

Integration with Devices

Google Photos is available on both Android and iOS devices, as well as on the web. Users can access their photos from any device with an internet connection. iCloud is primarily designed for Apple devices and may not offer the same level of integration with non-Apple devices. Users with multiple devices may find Google Photos more versatile.

Privacy and Security

Google Photos uses encryption to protect user data and offers two-factor authentication for added security. Google also states that they do not sell user data to third parties. iCloud also uses encryption to protect user data and offers two-factor authentication. Apple has a strong reputation for prioritizing user privacy.

Cost

Google Photos offers 15 GB of free storage space, with additional storage available for purchase starting at $1.99 per month for 100 GB. iCloud provides 5 GB of free storage space, with plans starting at $0.99 per month for 50 GB. Users who require more storage may find Google Photos to be a more cost-effective option.