Google Photos suits people who want more free space, AI search and editing, and a photo library that works the same on Android and iPhone. iCloud suits iPhone, iPad and Mac users who want their full-resolution library synced across Apple devices, with shared albums and family sharing. Choose Google Photos for cross-device freedom and AI tools, iCloud for the tightest Apple fit.
Photos are hard to replace, so the details matter here. I read Google's Photos page and its backup help page, and Apple's iCloud and iCloud+ pages.
Google Photos and iCloud compared
| Google Photos | iCloud Photos | |
|---|---|---|
| Made by | Apple | |
| Free storage | 15 GB, shared with Gmail and Drive | 5 GB, shared with your backups and files |
| Works on iPhone | Yes, syncs your library during setup | Yes, built into Apple devices |
| AI tools | Edit, organise and search with Google AI; a Create tab | Not covered on the pages I read |
| Sharing | Not covered on the pages I read | Shared Albums and a Shared Photo Library with up to five others |
| File limits | Photos up to 200 MB or 200 MP, videos up to 10 GB | Not stated on the pages I read |
What Google Photos offers
Google says Photos gives you 15 GB of storage for free to back up your memories automatically, and it calls that 3x more than many other cloud storage services. Its AI tools edit, organise and search your library, and the new Create tab lets you remix a selfie into different styles, turn an action photo into a video or make a collage.
If you have an iPhone, Google says the app syncs your library and favourites during setup and uploads new photos automatically. Its help page says backups are private unless you share them, and you can back up photos up to 200 MB or 200 MP and videos up to 10 GB, including most RAW files and Live Photos from the iPhone app.
What iCloud Photos offers
Apple says iCloud Photos keeps a lifetime of high-resolution photos and videos stored securely, with space-saving versions on each of your devices. Shared Albums let you and your friends add photos, videos and comments, including people on Android or Windows.
The Shared Photo Library lets you share chosen photos with up to five other people, and those photos show up in Featured Photos and Memories. iCloud starts with 5 GB free, and iCloud+ plans go up to 12 TB, with family sharing for up to five others.
The shared storage catch
Here's what I'd check before you decide. Google's 15 GB isn't only for photos; its help page says your Google Account storage is shared across Google Photos, Google Drive and Gmail. Apple's 5 GB is shared too, with your device backups and iCloud Drive files. So neither free allowance is all yours for pictures.
The bigger difference is reach. Google Photos works the same on Android and iPhone, so if your family has a mix, everyone can use one service. iCloud Photos is woven into Apple's devices, which is why it feels effortless if everything you own is Apple.
You can also use both. If you have an iPhone, you can keep iCloud Photos switched on for your Apple devices and run Google Photos as a second backup, because Google's app uploads in the background once it's set up. Just remember that every copy uses storage, so watch both allowances rather than assuming one service has everything covered.
Who each service suits
Google Photos suits Android users, mixed-device families and anyone who wants AI search and the Create tab. iCloud Photos suits Apple households who want their library on every device without thinking about it. If you're moving between accounts, here's how to change your Google Photos backup account, and if pictures seem to be missing, see why Google Photos isn't showing all your photos.
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My advice on Google Photos or iCloud
Decide by the devices in your house, not the free gigabytes. If everyone is on Apple, keep iCloud Photos on and add storage when the warning comes. If anyone in the family uses Android, or you want Google's AI search, install Google Photos and let it back up. Whichever you use, check once a month that the backup is still running, because a full storage allowance quietly stops new photos saving.
Do you make photo or storage tools? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place in comparisons like this one.
Frequently asked questions
How much free storage does Google Photos have?
Google says you get 15 GB of storage for free, shared across Google Photos, Gmail and Google Drive.
Does Google Photos work on iPhone?
Yes. Google says Photos syncs your iPhone library and favourites during setup and uploads new photos automatically.
How much free iCloud storage is there?
Apple says iCloud includes 5 GB of storage for free.
Can I share iCloud photos with Android users?
Yes. Apple says people on Android or Windows devices can add photos, videos and comments to Shared Albums.
What is the largest video Google Photos can back up?
Google's help page says videos up to 10 GB can be backed up.
