Side by side
Damselfly vs FamilyAlbum
Both stand on photo storage services. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+2
Choose Damselfly for a large, carefully tagged photo library when self-hosted management and detailed search are priorities. Look elsewhere if you need supported non-Docker installation for a less technical setup, or video backup.
Visit Damselfly
Free plan AndroidiPhoneWeb
FamilyAlbum focuses on private family sharing, with monthly organization, comments, viewing indicators, and print options. The free plan offers unlimited photo and video storage; paid plans add features that vary by tier.
Visit FamilyAlbumThe facts
| Damselfly | FamilyAlbum | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web, Windows | Android, iPhone, Web |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Premium One: $2.99 a month |
| Plans published | 1 | 4 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | damselfly.info | family-album.com |
| On photo storage services | #7 of 71 | #17 of 71 |
Damselfly: what it does well
- Searches partial-word phrases and filters across image details.
- Supports common image formats and several RAW formats.
- Writes keyword metadata without re-encoding JPEGs.
- Offers role-based accounts, including a tag-blocking ReadOnly role.
- Exports basket selections with watermarking or WordPress upload.
What to know first
- Initial thumbnail generation and AI processing can be CPU-intensive.
- Non-Docker installations are intended for experts and unsupported by the maker.
FamilyAlbum: what it does well
- Uploads are organized into albums by month
- Album access is limited to invited family members
- Owners can see whether family viewed photos
- Free plan includes unlimited photo and video storage
- 11 free prints per family member each month
What to know first
- No desktop app is listed
- Computer uploads require a Premium subscription
- Bulk downloads are app-only and limited by download permission
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