Photo and video backup solution directly from your mobile phone (alternative to Google Photos).
- AGPL-3.0
- TypeScript
- Docker
- Actively maintained
Photo Galleries comparison
Immich vs Ente: which should you self-host in 2026?
Pick Immich for server-side AI search and a rich self-hosted gallery; pick Ente if end-to-end encryption matters most and you are fine with on-device machine learning.
Both are open source and run on your own server. Below: a side-by-side of license, stack and features, live GitHub activity, and our verdict on who should pick which.
An end-to-end encrypted photo-sharing platform (alternative to Google Photos, Apple Photos).
- AGPL-3.0
- Dart
- Docker
- Actively maintained
Head-to-head
Immich vs Ente, side by side
Hand-checked differences first, then live numbers from GitHub, refreshed with every catalog update.
| Aspect |  Immich |  Ente |
|---|---|---|
| License | AGPL-3.0. | AGPL-3.0 for the server and apps; the same code runs Ente's paid cloud service. |
| Encryption | Photos are stored unencrypted on your server so it can generate thumbnails and run ML. | End-to-end encrypted: files are encrypted on the device before they reach the server. |
| Machine learning | Runs on the server in a dedicated container for faces and smart search. | Runs on your devices, since the server cannot read the photos. |
| Architecture | TypeScript server with PostgreSQL, Valkey/Redis and a Python ML service. | Go server (Museum) with PostgreSQL and S3-compatible object storage; Flutter mobile apps. |
| Mobile apps | Official iOS and Android apps with background backup. | Official iOS and Android apps that can point to a self-hosted server. |
| Hosting cost | Needs more RAM: docs list 6 GB minimum with ML enabled. | Docs list 1 GB RAM and 1 CPU core for the quickstart, plus object storage space. |
| GitHub stars | 115,648 | 29,252 |
| Commits, last 12 months | 2,638 | 16,902 |
| Last commit | Oct 6, 2026 | Oct 6, 2026 |
| Latest release | v3.2.4Sep 28, 2026 | photos-v1.3.64Sep 24, 2026 |
| Main language | TypeScript | Dart |
| Official Docker image | Yes | Yes |
| Repository | immich-app/immich | ente/ente |
Swipe the table sideways to see both apps. GitHub figures come from the public API. Highlighted values are the higher of the two.
Verdict
Immich is the most feature-rich self-hosted Google Photos replacement, but your server can see your photos, because it processes them for faces and search. Ente encrypts everything on your devices before upload, so even the server operator cannot read your library; it is the better pick for privacy-focused users or for hosting photos for family on a server you do not fully trust.
Best for
Choose Immich for
A feature-rich private gallery on hardware you fully control.
Best for
Choose Ente for
End-to-end encrypted photo backup for privacy-focused users.
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Is Ente end-to-end encrypted when self-hosted?
Yes. Encryption happens in the Ente apps on your devices, so a self-hosted server stores only encrypted files, exactly like Ente's own cloud.
Does Immich encrypt my photos?
No. Immich stores originals as regular files so it can process them; protect them with disk encryption and access controls on your server.
Can Ente's official apps connect to my own server?
Yes. Ente documents how to point its mobile and desktop apps at a self-hosted server instead of the default cloud endpoint.
Which is more popular on GitHub, Immich or Ente?
Immich has 115,648 GitHub stars against 29,252 for Ente. Over the last twelve months Immich received 2,638 commits and Ente received 16,902, so Ente is the more actively developed of the two right now. Stars measure interest, not fit, so weigh them against the differences above.
Keep comparing
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PhotoPrism vs LibrePhotos
Pick PhotoPrism for a polished, mature web library that indexes folders in place; pick LibrePhotos if you want a fully MIT-licensed, Django-based app with AI search and no paid tier.
