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The “even more features” claim holds only feature by feature, not as an overall verdict. The alternative this headline most likely refers to is LibrePhotos, and its own feature matrix credits it with several capabilities that Immich lacks. That same matrix credits Immich with a timeline view and an iOS app that LibrePhotos does not have. A June 2026 comparison from HomeNode still recommends Immich to most people leaving Google Photos, and that recommendation is the one most readers will weigh.
The headline does not name the alternative. This article assumes LibrePhotos because it is the self-hosted option whose published feature matrix makes the most specific comparable claims against Immich. If you meant a different project, the framework below still applies, but the feature table will not.
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Immich and LibrePhotos are both self-hosted photo managers that aim to replace a cloud photo service. They take different routes to the same goal, which is why a single feature count does not settle the choice. The comparison below uses LibrePhotos’ official “Feature Comparison” page as its main source for feature claims, then checks those claims against independent 2026 comparisons where they exist.
What the feature matrix shows
LibrePhotos’ feature comparison marks several capabilities as present in LibrePhotos and absent in Immich. It also marks two capabilities as present in Immich and absent in LibrePhotos. The table reproduces those marks, with the 2026 HomeNode comparison noted where it disagrees.
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| Capability | LibrePhotos (as marked in its own matrix) | Immich (as marked in LibrePhotos’ matrix) |
|---|---|---|
| Scene detection | Present | Absent |
| Category detection | Present | Absent |
| Semantic image search | Present | Absent. HomeNode (June 20, 2026) lists semantic search as an Immich strength, so the two sources conflict. |
| Syncing metadata to files | Present | Absent |
| Timeline view | Absent | Present |
| iOS app | Absent | Present |
| Automatic mobile backup | Not stated in the matrix. HomeNode (June 20, 2026) calls mobile backup a drawback for LibrePhotos. | Not stated in the matrix. HomeNode (June 20, 2026) lists automatic mobile backup as an Immich strength. |
Read the table with these limits in mind:
- It is first-party. LibrePhotos wrote the matrix, so it shows what the project says it does. It is not an independent audit, and it does not show how well each feature works.
- It has no date or version. Feature gaps close quickly in open-source projects. Check the current release notes of both projects before relying on any single mark.
- Checkmarks do not weigh features. Scene detection and a timeline view are not equivalent. Whether the difference matters depends on how you browse.
The honest summary is that LibrePhotos is credited with more AI-driven organization and metadata features, while Immich is credited with a more finished day-to-day browsing experience and a native iPhone app. Neither project wins on a total count.
Who should pick which
Independent 2026 comparisons broadly agree on the use cases below, though they do not agree on every product assessment. OSSAlt’s March 8, 2026 comparison also calls Immich the best fit for most people, while selfhosting.sh’s February 17, 2026 comparison reaches different conclusions on some points. Treat each recommendation as a publisher’s judgment, not a test result.
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- Back Up Multiple Computers & Devices – NAS Navigator management utility and PC backup software included. NAS Navigator 2 for macOS 15 and earlier. You can set up automated backups of data on your computers.
Switching from Google Photos
Immich is the default recommendation for this group. HomeNode’s 2026 comparison names automatic mobile backup, face recognition, semantic search, and multi-user support among its strengths. Those are the features most Google Photos users notice first when they move. The iOS app and timeline view, which the matrix credits to Immich, matter for the same reason.
Your motivation for leaving may also be practical. OSSAlt’s March 8, 2026 comparison states that a free Google account includes 15 GB of storage. That figure comes from a secondary source and has not been checked against Google’s current policy, so confirm it on your own account before you plan a migration around it.
Rank #3
- 【Advanced Home Data & Media Hub】For advanced home users who need phone backup, file storage, and centralized data management. Centralize family photos, 4K videos, movies, computer backups, and personal files in one place while running multiple apps for home entertainment and everyday data management. Suitable for households with growing digital libraries and multiple NAS use cases.
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- 【One data Center Across Your Devices】Keep files from desktops, laptops, phones, tablets, and other devices together instead of scattered across cloud accounts and external drives. Access, back up, organize, and share data across Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, web browsers, and compatible smart TVs—ideal for creators and advanced home users working across multiple devices.
Keeping an existing folder hierarchy
HomeNode recommends PhotoPrism for an existing archive whose folder structure should be preserved. If your photos already live in a carefully organized directory tree and you want the app to respect it, PhotoPrism is the comparison’s suggested starting point. Neither Immich nor LibrePhotos is recommended on that point in the sources reviewed.
Already running Nextcloud
HomeNode suggests Nextcloud Memories for readers who already operate Nextcloud. Adding a second photo system makes less sense than extending the one you already maintain, so this is the most practical choice in that case.
Rank #4
- Value NAS with RAID for centralized storage and backup for all your devices. Check out the LS 700 for enhanced features, cloud capabilities, macOS 26, and up to 7x faster performance than the LS 200.
- Connect the LinkStation to your router and enjoy shared network storage for your devices. The NAS is compatible with Windows and macOS*, and Buffalo's US-based support is on-hand 24/7 for installation walkthroughs. *Only for macOS 15 (Sequoia) and earlier. For macOS 26, check out our LS 700 series.
- Subscription-Free Personal Cloud – Store, back up, and manage all your videos, music, and photos and access them anytime without paying any monthly fees.
- Storage Purpose-Built for Data Security – A NAS designed to keep your data safe, the LS200 features a closed system to reduce vulnerabilities from 3rd party apps and SSL encryption for secure file transfers.
- Back Up Multiple Computers & Devices – NAS Navigator management utility and PC backup software included. NAS Navigator 2 for macOS 15 and earlier. You can set up automated backups of data on your computers.
Wanting scene, category, or metadata-sync features
This is where LibrePhotos has a documented edge. If scene detection, category detection, semantic search, or syncing metadata back to files is the reason you are switching, LibrePhotos’ matrix is the place to start. Weigh that against HomeNode’s view that LibrePhotos is harder to recommend as a primary app because of mobile backup and development consistency concerns. If you rely on phone backup, test that path before committing your library.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Setting up Immich: what the official steps involve
Immich’s official quick start describes a Docker Compose deployment. The steps below follow that guide. This article does not walk through LibrePhotos installation, so check its documentation for its own setup.
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- Download the Docker Compose file and the environment file from the Immich quick start.
- Edit the environment file to set the upload location and the database location.
- Choose a media storage location with enough free space for your library. The official guide asks you to select this path but does not give a capacity recommendation.
- Do not place the database files on a network share. The quick start states that network shares are not supported for database files.
- From the directory holding the Compose file, run
docker compose up -dto start the containers in the background.
Hardware and storage
The following figures are publisher recommendations, not project minimums.
The Tool Desk
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- Price. The same article estimates a used mini PC option at roughly $150–200. That is a dated estimate that will change, so check current listings.
- Storage. Plan for the size of your full photo and video library plus room to grow, because the Immich setup requires a media location with enough free space and gives no capacity figure.
An external drive or NAS can hold the media location, but the database should stay on local storage, as the network-share limitation above explains.
Quick Recap
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