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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

FamilyAlbum vs Google Photos

FamilyAlbum 4.9★ · Free + IAP 70
Winner FamilyAlbum
Google Photos 4.8★ · Free to download 60

FamilyAlbum is better for private family photo sharing, despite recent privacy concerns and print order issues, while Google Photos is a more general-purpose photo backup and organization tool with performance and privacy complaints.

Full reviews: FamilyAlbum · Google Photos

FamilyAlbum excels as a private photo-sharing platform for families, offering a dedicated space away from social media, though recent privacy policy changes regarding AI and print order problems are significant drawbacks. Google Photos provides robust photo backup and organization, but users report persistent performance issues, privacy concerns over data access, and a frustrating user experience for selective sharing.

Head to head

Photo Sharing & Privacy edge: FamilyAlbumR1R5R14R23
FamilyAlbum FamilyAlbum is highly praised for its ability to privately share photos and videos with family members and close friends, serving as an alternative to social media R5R14R23. However, recent updates to its privacy policy, which mention sharing data with AI company Anthropic for 'enhanced search,' have caused significant user backlash and trust issues, with many users deleting the app or canceling premium accounts R1R25R28R31.
Google Photos Google Photos users express frustration with the app's privacy settings, particularly its demand for full access to a phone's camera roll rather than allowing selective photo sharing R61R67R70. Many find it difficult to manually upload specific photos without enabling automatic backup, leading to concerns about privacy and unwanted data usage R73.
Features & Ease of Use tieR6R7R8R11
FamilyAlbum FamilyAlbum is generally considered easy to use for sharing photos and videos, especially for keeping up with distant family R11. Users appreciate features like monthly free prints (though shipping costs are a concern) and the ability for multiple members to join and comment R8. However, some features like 'on this day' slideshows have been moved behind a paywall, causing annoyance R6R7R15. There are also reports of issues with video uploads for premium users and a poor user experience on iPad, including crashing and formatting problems .
Google Photos Google Photos is valued for its automatic backup capabilities and ability to store memories over years . However, users frequently criticize its user interface and recent updates, citing difficulties in navigation, unwanted 'memories' features, and a cluttered main photo grid . Many find it hard to manage multiple accounts or selectively upload photos . Some users also report issues with the 'photo to video' feature and the 'people and pets' tagging not working correctly .
Reliability & Performance tieR2R3R4R9
FamilyAlbum FamilyAlbum users report significant issues with print orders, with many not receiving ordered photos or experiencing long delays R2R3R4. Some users also face problems with photo uploads failing R9 and videos disappearing or failing to upload . The app is also criticized for not working on iPad or crashing frequently on the device .
Google Photos Google Photos is plagued by performance issues, including the app being slow, not loading photos, crashing constantly, or showing a black screen on iPads R64R78R99R102. Users also report problems with photos not deleting properly, videos failing to upload or download, and images disappearing from albums R99.
Price & Value tieR6R7R8R15
FamilyAlbum FamilyAlbum offers a free version with IAP, including monthly free prints (shipping costs extra, R8, , ). However, users complain about increasing 'money grab' tactics, such as moving previously free features like 'on this day' slideshows behind a paywall R6R7R15. Even premium users report constant pop-ups and ads trying to upsell other products . Some find the shipping for 'free' prints to be more expensive than local printing .
Google Photos Google Photos is free to download but users frequently encounter issues with storage limits, being forced to buy more space, and deceptive practices around automatic backup that lead to unexpected storage consumption R73. The app size itself is also criticized for being excessively large . Some users note that once it's no longer free, it offers little difference from other paid cloud storage options like iCloud .
Customer Support tieR42R49R85
FamilyAlbum FamilyAlbum users report poor customer service, particularly regarding issues with print orders. Some state they have sent multiple emails without receiving a response or resolution for lost orders R42R49.
Google Photos Google Photos users mention receiving unhelpful or generic responses from developers that do not address their specific issues, suggesting a lack of thorough review of user complaints R85.
Pick FamilyAlbum if

Pick FamilyAlbum if you need a dedicated, private space to share photos and videos exclusively with family and friends, especially for keeping up with children's milestones R5R14R23. It's a good choice if you prioritize a social media alternative for family updates and appreciate features like monthly free prints, provided you're aware of potential shipping costs and recent privacy policy changes R8.

Pick Google Photos if

Pick Google Photos if you need a robust, automatic backup solution for all your photos and videos across multiple devices and value its long-term storage capabilities . It's suitable if you are already deeply integrated into the Google ecosystem and are comfortable with its approach to data access and storage management, despite reported performance issues and UI frustrations R73R78.

Evidence note: Recent negative reviews for FamilyAlbum are heavily skewed by privacy concerns related to AI integration and ongoing print order issues, which significantly impact user trust despite its high lifetime rating. Google Photos' negative reviews focus on performance, UI changes, and privacy around data access, which are consistent across its large user base.

Frequently asked

Does FamilyAlbum share my photos with AI companies?
Yes, recent updates to FamilyAlbum's privacy policy indicate that photos are being shared with AI company Anthropic for 'enhanced search,' which has caused significant user backlash and trust issues R1R25R28R31.
Can I order prints from FamilyAlbum?
Yes, you can order prints from FamilyAlbum, and they offer 11 free prints monthly for $3.99 shipping, but many users report significant issues with not receiving ordered photos, long delays, or finding the shipping costs to be more expensive than local printing options R2R3R4R8.
Does Google Photos allow selective photo uploads?
Google Photos users frequently report that the app makes it difficult to upload only specific photos, often requiring full access to your camera roll or enabling automatic backup, which can lead to unwanted storage consumption and privacy concerns R61R67R70R73.
Are there performance issues with Google Photos?
Yes, many Google Photos users report persistent performance issues, including the app being slow, not loading photos, crashing constantly, or displaying a black screen, especially on iPads R64R78R99R102.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R1] FamilyAlbum 1/5 · US added ai into the mix: why can’t we just enjoy sharing photos without the use of ai to protect our children from ai & to have clean WATER for them! AI is not more important than our children. we dont need to search for photos that’s what our eyes are for 😵‍💫
  2. [R5] FamilyAlbum 5/5 · US Big fan!: What a great was to share pix without having to send to everyone individually or post everything on FB.
  3. [R14] FamilyAlbum 5/5 · US Best photo sharing app 💯: This has been by far the best photo sharing app. I can share with my family in Italy who have android with ease and they get high quality photos without having to over share on social media. Don’t waste time with other apps, Family Album is endgame.
  4. [R23] FamilyAlbum 5/5 · US Exceptional: I have absolutely loved having this app and being able to still share my children with friends and family! We love privacy and this app is wonderful. I do wish you could load videos without paying BUT still a win.
  5. [R6] FamilyAlbum 3/5 · US Increasingly a Money Grab: When we first started using this app, it was great! It was a wonderful way for us to privately share pictures with family and friends. Over the years, the pop ups and ads for products and paid versions of the app have gotten increasingly annoying. For me, the worst part is when they took away the already limited “on this day” slideshows to give you only one each day. I u
  6. [R7] FamilyAlbum 1/5 · US Money grab: Used to be a great app overall but recent updates have put previously free features behind paywalls. Like the “on this day” recaps. Seems a bit shady to try and make money by putting previously free features behind paywalls instead of adding new features and charging for those. People notice these kind of things. Truly hope they reverse this decision as I will do my part in letting peo
  7. [R8] FamilyAlbum 5/5 · US Best Family Album Ever: Great way to share photos and videos with family members and close friends. Love getting to see pictures and videos my grandkids daily. I also love the fact that I can get the 11 pictures every month for $ 3.99. there are usually so many good ones I end up getting more than my 11 every month.
  8. [R11] FamilyAlbum 5/5 · US Photo sharing: I really enjoy seeing the pictures sent from my family in Canada to me in the United States. I feel more of connection with them through the photos
  9. [R2] FamilyAlbum 4/5 · US Still waiting on ordered photos: Enjoy being able to see all the photos. I have had trouble receiving the photos I have ordered the last few months.
  10. [R3] FamilyAlbum 3/5 · US Love the app, but…: I love being able to share photos in the app with family, but I bought photos in April and May and I still have not received them. While sharing photos is awesome, if you want them printed, you’re better off ordering them through your local photo printing place like Walgreens or Walmart.
  11. [R4] FamilyAlbum 2/5 · US Worried: I love the app. I truly do but recently my orders have not showed up. My address is correct and yet the photos still say shipped but they never deliver. It scares me because I don't know where my photos are going and they are pictures of my children. I keep getting replacement free photos and they also don't show. I just feel super uncomfortable that I don't know where my personal photos
  12. [R9] FamilyAlbum 3/5 · US Needs multiple uploads: Need to upload multiple times for pictures to get in there. States that upload failed 😣
  13. [R15] FamilyAlbum 3/5 · US Taking away features: I’ve loved this app for the past three years, especially the “on this day” feature. But I updated the app and that feature has been taken away unless I pay, which is ridiculous.
  14. [R42] FamilyAlbum 3/5 · GB Great for photo sharing but don’t order prints: Brilliant app for sharing photo’s of our newborn with the family but print & album ordering not as successful. I ordered a set of prints & an album nearly 2 months ago and have not received them. Didn’t realise, before I ordered that they come from China. I’ve tried to contact twice to find out where they are & request a refund but have had no resp
  15. [R49] FamilyAlbum 1/5 · US Poor customer service: I have made two purchases from the store. The second one came with a cracked handle. I sent multiple emails with no response from customer support. I will never purchase from them again. The sad thing is the cups with photos are very cute.
  16. [R85] Google Photos 2/5 · US Deletes photos from your device.: Update to review: I got a response from the developer with links about my issues and how to resolve it, and typical of developers they did not read my review. They skimmed it to look for key words or used an AI to "read" it. The link they gave me was what I suggested in my review to new users. I had already read through their help section and it is the same as th
  17. [R25] FamilyAlbum 1/5 · US Sharing my private photos with AI companies: It is a sick and twisted betrayal to take private, intimate photos intended for family only and sell them to an AI company (Anthropic). The whole selling point of this app was to share baby photos with family exclusively to shelter them from prying eyes. Evil, evil, evil company. Beware
  18. [R28] FamilyAlbum 1/5 · US Deceptive privacy policy update sends to AI: We used this app for years specifically because they weren’t harvesting/training on *childrens photos*. It was aimed as being private. They recently started sharing - I assume - photos with Anthropic as a footnote in their privacy policy update for “enhanced search”. No thanks.
  19. [R31] FamilyAlbum 1/5 · US Would rate zero: Added AI under Anthropics in the new privacy policy. Disgusting. Obviously doesn’t understand the majority of their audience or care about protecting children from AI.
  20. [R61] Google Photos 1/5 · US Too hard: Way too difficult to figure out. It seems like it will back up every single photo in your phone or nothing at all. I wanted to backup only specific photos, not every one. But it’s all or nothing. Junk
  21. [R67] Google Photos 1/5 · US Busted: Cannot access my Google Photos without allowing it access to my camera roll?? That is new and stupid.
  22. [R70] Google Photos 1/5 · US Nosy and not worth it: Wanted to upload my photos to a shared album on this app from a work team bonding event. It was a really fun day and I wanted to contribute. If I could select certain photos from my library I would’ve done just that and have a neutral to positive experience on this app. But no, I spent many minutes of my life poking around the app, not knowing why the selected photos I chose
  23. [R73] Google Photos 1/5 · US shady practice: This app keeps tricking me into enabling photo backup, forcing me to buy more space without understanding how I ran out in the first place. I just had to spend an hour undoing it manually because I’m worried the bulk undo option will erase photos I manually added to shared albums. You have lost my trust and I will be migrating to a different app.
  24. [R64] Google Photos 2/5 · US black screen when i open the app: google photos used to work great on my ipad but for the past couple of months when i open the app its a blank screen. still shows the UI and i can navigate to "collections" and "create" and other stuff but my photos wont load no matter what button i press. my ipad is up to date and so is the google photos app but the problem still persists
  25. [R78] Google Photos 3/5 · US Performance is horrible: I used to love this app and am married to it because all my photos from over the years are in it. However, the last year or two the performance has continued to deteriorate. The app is so impossibly slow and sometimes doesn’t load at all. Hoping to amend this review if updates are finally made, but I’m tired of waiting and hoping.
  26. [R99] Google Photos 3/5 · GB Keeps loosing access to my photos: This app used to be good but now it keeps loosing access to my photos and just shows blank spaces everywhere. So infuriating. Each time the only thing that helps is uninstalling and then reinstalling the app. Crazy!
  27. [R102] Google Photos 3/5 · GB What is going on?: Why does it keep failing to show me my images?

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store