Photonix

Free plan AndroidiPhoneSelf-hostedWeb

What Photonix is

Photonix is a free, open-source photo manager for organizing collections to store, present, search and rediscover photos through a web browser. Its classifiers identify faces, objects, styles, colors and locations for filtering, and face recognition groups people across photos so users can label them without training a model. Photonix says object detection runs within the software and does not share images externally. It can identify related photo versions by comparing metadata, including RAW files, camera JPEGs and edits. The software watches user-selected folders for edits made with tools such as Lightroom, Darktable or Photoshop, without requiring plugins. The maker says it reads major camera RAW formats including CR2, NEF, DNG, ARW and RWL. Photonix is self-hosted: its installation guide uses Docker Compose and includes examples for x86/amd64 and ARM32/ARM64, including Raspberry Pi. Android and iPhone apps connect to a Photonix server and do not provide useful functionality without one. Photo analysis runs on the installed server, and account, metadata and app data stay on installation machines and chosen backups. The maker cautions that the software alone cannot back up photos stored on the same hard drive and recommends separate copies.

Who it suits

Photonix may suit photographers seeking self-hosted photo management that fits existing editing workflows. Its mobile apps are for people who already have a Photonix server.

What it does well

Detects faces, objects, styles, colors and locations.
Labels people without training a face model.
Reads major camera RAW formats.
Watches selected folders for edits from common photo tools.
Photo analysis runs on the installed server.

What to know first

A self-hosted server is required.
Mobile apps need a Photonix server to be useful.
Video support was not yet available.
Separate backup copies are recommended.

Limits

The free Photonix plan requires a self-hosted server. The maker says video support was not yet available, and its mobile apps do not provide useful functionality without a Photonix server.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Photonix	Open-source photo manager; self-hosted server required	Free

As photonix.org lists them, read 9 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Review the Photonix documentation and installation guide.
Install the self-hosted server using Docker Compose.
Choose the applicable installation example for x86/amd64 or ARM32/ARM64 hardware.
Connect the Android or iPhone app to the Photonix server if using mobile access.
Maintain separate copies of photos rather than relying on Photonix alone for backup.

Verdict

Photonix combines photo discovery, RAW support and editing-workflow integration in a self-hosted open-source manager. It requires a server, does not yet support video and is not a backup solution on its own.

Questions

How much does Photonix cost?

The listed Photonix plan is free. The maker describes it as open-source photo management software.

Does Photonix have a free plan?

Yes. The Photonix plan is free and open source, but requires a self-hosted server.

Which platforms does Photonix support?

Its listed platforms are Android, iOS, self-hosted, and web. The mobile apps connect to a Photonix server.

Is Photonix open source?

Yes. The maker describes Photonix as an open-source community project.

Does Photonix support RAW photos?

Yes. The maker says it reads major camera RAW formats including CR2, NEF, DNG, ARW, and RWL.

How can users get support?

The maker points users to documentation, GitHub issues, and chat discussions.

Facts from Photonix's own pages

Audience: The maker describes Photonix as photo management software for professionals and says it is intended to fit into photographers’ existing editing workflows. · photonix.org, 9 Oct 2026
Editing integrations: It watches user-selected folders for edits and says no plugins are needed to work with tools such as Lightroom, Darktable or Photoshop. · photonix.org, 9 Oct 2026
Face recognition: Face recognition groups detected faces across photos, and users can label people without training a model. · photonix.org, 9 Oct 2026
Local processing and data: The privacy policy says photo analysis runs on the installed server and account, metadata and app data stay on the installation machines and any chosen backups. · photonix.org, 9 Oct 2026
Mobile apps: Android and iPhone apps connect to a Photonix server and do not provide useful functionality without one. · photonix.org, 9 Oct 2026
No backup guarantee: The maker says Photonix alone cannot provide a backup when photos remain on the same hard drive, and recommends maintaining separate copies. · photonix.org, 9 Oct 2026
Object detection privacy: The maker says object detection runs within Photonix and does not share images externally. · photonix.org, 9 Oct 2026
Photo versions: Photonix compares photo metadata to identify related versions, including RAW files, camera JPEGs and edits. · photonix.org, 9 Oct 2026
Purpose: Photonix organizes photo collections for storing, presenting, searching and rediscovering photos through a web browser. · photonix.org, 9 Oct 2026
RAW support: The maker says Photonix reads major camera RAW formats including CR2, NEF, DNG, ARW and RWL. · photonix.org, 9 Oct 2026
Self-hosted deployment: The installation guide uses Docker Compose and provides an example for x86/amd64 and ARM32/ARM64, including Raspberry Pi. · photonix.org, 9 Oct 2026
Smart tagging: Its classifiers detect faces, objects, image styles, colors and locations for photo filtering. · photonix.org, 9 Oct 2026
Support and community: The maker describes Photonix as an open-source community project and points users to GitHub issues, chat discussions and documentation. · photonix.org, 9 Oct 2026
Video limitation: The FAQ says video support was not yet available and describes limited video support as planned. · photonix.org, 9 Oct 2026

Where Photonix stands on Freedom251

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