Side by side
My Family Album vs Synology Photos
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 iPhone
My Family Album combines child-focused timelines, story videos, and private family sharing in one iOS app. Its on-device analysis and encrypted uploads address privacy, but users must protect their encryption keys.
Visit My Family Album
Free plan AndroidExtensioniPhone+3
Synology Photos brings browsing, organization, backup, and sharing workflows together for users with a Synology NAS. Check NAS model support and the separate preview requirement if you rely on recognition or HEIC/HEVC media.
Visit Synology PhotosThe facts
| My Family Album | Synology Photos | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | iPhone | Android, Extension, iPhone, Mac, Web, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | In-app purchase: $109.99, paid once | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 2 | 2 |
| Maker | Not published | Synology Photos |
| Website | myfamilyalbum.app | synology.com |
| On photo storage services | #54 of 71 | #49 of 71 |
My Family Album: what it does well
- Chronological stories for children’s photos and videos
- On-device event detection suggests birthdays and trips
- Separate timelines support multiple children
- AES-256-GCM encryption before upload
- Private family sharing, albums, and video backup
What to know first
- Available only on iOS
- Lost encryption keys may make content unrecoverable
- In-app purchase listed at 109.99 USD once
Synology Photos: what it does well
- Free, with no paid premium tiers listed
- Mobile app can back up photos and videos automatically
- Share links can use passwords or expiration dates
- Supports RAW files and automatic album grouping
What to know first
- Requires a Synology NAS for private storage
- Face and object recognition is limited to certain NAS models
- HEIC/HEVC previews require Synology Image Assistant
- Drag-and-drop uploads are limited to 5,000 files per upload
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