Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Google Photos vs Amazon Photos

Google Photos 4.8★ · Free to download 60
Winner Amazon Photos
Amazon Photos 4.8★ · Free + IAP 80

Amazon Photos is the better choice for Prime members seeking unlimited photo storage and reliable backup, while Google Photos struggles with iOS integration and user control over data.

Full reviews: Google Photos · Amazon Photos

Amazon Photos offers unlimited photo storage for Prime members, making it a strong value for backup, despite some UI and video limitations. Google Photos excels in AI features like memories and collages but faces significant user complaints regarding data control, iOS integration, and app reliability.

Head to head

Features & AI Capabilities edge: Google PhotosR3R6R8R14
Google Photos Google Photos is praised for its AI-powered memories, collages, and video creation, which users find enjoyable and helpful for rediscovering past moments R8R14. It also offers good photo enhancement, improving color and sharpness . However, some users report issues with specific features like photo-to-video conversion R3, editing images not updating R6, and the 'people and pets' tagging feature failing to load new individuals . The removal of the monthly view and the lack of a slideshow feature on iOS are also noted as drawbacks.
Amazon Photos Amazon Photos is appreciated for its ability to organize photos and create collages . Users enjoy seeing their family photos on Echo Show devices and appreciate the 'day or year in review' feature . However, a significant complaint is the removal of the 'On this day' feature . Users also desire more search options and the ability to change album views from tiles to lists . Some find it difficult to arrange pictures and albums .
Ease of Use & User Interface edge: Amazon PhotosR1R7R9R13
Google Photos Google Photos receives mixed reviews on ease of use. Many users find it difficult to control photo syncing and deletion, leading to accidental deletion of photos from their device or unwanted backups R1R7R13R49. The app is criticized for being "too hard" to figure out, especially for selective backup . UI issues include truncation of setup buttons on smaller iPhone screens R9, a "clumsy" and "awful" layout with poor font choices , and difficulty with mass deleting photos . Some users also report the app getting stuck in memories or displaying blank screens R28R42.
Amazon Photos Amazon Photos is generally described as "easy to use" and "simple and smooth" for uploading photos R89. Users appreciate that it works on its own and helps organize millions of photos . However, some find the app "clumsy" and "tedious" to access . There are complaints about difficulty arranging pictures and albums , and the inability to find a bin or access folders . Deleting photos is noted as a "faff" due to the lack of a 'select all' option .
Reliability & Performance tieR21R28R40R42
Google Photos Google Photos has significant reliability issues, particularly on iOS. Users report that images often fail to upload R43, videos and live pictures don't download or upload , and photos disappear from albums R43. The app is prone to freezing, not opening, or showing blank screens R28R42. Deleting photos can be unreliable, sometimes requiring multiple attempts R21. The app also keeps losing access to photos R42 and is criticized for its large app size R40.
Amazon Photos Amazon Photos generally performs well, with users stating it works well on iPhone and uploads photos quickly . However, some users experience slow uploads, with one reporting it took days to upload pictures and videos and another trying to download 163 photos for three weeks . There are also reports of videos consistently trying to upload even when toggled off , and glitches preventing photos from being added to folders . Some users also report the app not saving or viewing photos despite a paid subscription .
Privacy & Data Control edge: Amazon PhotosR4R10R12R13
Google Photos Google Photos faces strong criticism regarding privacy and data control. Users are frustrated by the app demanding full access to their camera roll, refusing to function with "limited access" R10R12R13. Many feel Google "sucks up" all their photos without consent R4R10R13 and uses "shady practices" to force backup and storage purchases R19. Notifications about past memories, especially of deceased loved ones, are seen as intrusive and upsetting R4. Users also struggle to selectively back up photos, feeling it's an "all or nothing" approach .
Amazon Photos Amazon Photos is generally trusted by users to keep their photos safe . Many appreciate the peace of mind knowing their memories are secure and backed up . There are no specific complaints about unwanted data access or forced syncing, though one user reported their account being locked without notice R78.
Price & Value edge: Amazon PhotosR19R20R21R26
Google Photos Google Photos is no longer truly free for unlimited storage, with users noting that once the free limit is reached, there's little difference in cost compared to iCloud R21R26. Some feel it's a "scam" to use up data and force storage purchases R19. However, one user finds 200GB for around $29.99/yr with Google One to be a "cheap" and good value, especially for cross-platform backup R20.
Amazon Photos Amazon Photos offers a significant value proposition for Amazon Prime members, as it includes unlimited full-resolution photo storage R79R89R99. Users highlight this as a "best kept secret" of Prime membership, saving them from "stupid pricing" from Apple and Google R79. While photos are unlimited, users express a desire for more video storage with their membership before needing to purchase upgrades .
Customer Support tieR49R78
Google Photos Google Photos' developer responses are criticized for being unhelpful and generic, with one user stating the developer "did not read my review" and provided irrelevant links R49. There are no positive mentions of customer support.
Amazon Photos Amazon Photos receives a strong negative review regarding customer support, with one user reporting their account was locked without notice and support was "non existent" for two weeks, leading them to cancel their subscription R78.
Pick Google Photos if

You are deeply integrated into the Google ecosystem and value AI-driven features like automatic memories, collages, and photo enhancements, and you are comfortable with Google's data handling practices and pricing model after the free tier R8R20.

Pick Amazon Photos if

You are an Amazon Prime member looking for unlimited full-resolution photo storage as part of your membership, prioritizing reliable backup and ease of use for displaying photos on Amazon devices like the Echo Show R79R89R99.

Evidence note: Reviews for Google Photos are heavily skewed towards negative experiences, particularly concerning iOS integration and data control, despite its higher lifetime rating. Amazon Photos reviews are generally more positive, especially from Prime members, but there are fewer reviews overall.

Frequently asked

Is Google Photos still free for unlimited storage?
No, Google Photos is no longer free for unlimited storage; users report reaching free limits and needing to pay, with little difference in cost compared to other services like iCloud R21R26.
Does Amazon Photos offer unlimited storage?
Yes, Amazon Photos offers unlimited full-resolution photo storage as a benefit for Amazon Prime members R79R89R99.
Which app is better for iOS users?
Amazon Photos appears to be a more reliable choice for iOS users, with many finding it "simple and smooth" from their iPhone , while Google Photos is frequently criticized for poor iOS integration, including issues with limited access, uploads, and app functionality R10R12R43R52.

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. [R3] Google Photos 3/5 · US Photo to video: Doesn't work photo to video keep saying the photo too small choose different one, when chosen large jotted frame but still say too small
  2. [R6] Google Photos 3/5 · US Editing images needs work: I got alerted to view a memory and I went to edit it and that experience needs work. Images wouldn’t update
  3. [R8] Google Photos 5/5 · US Photo ops: I get to see memories that I used to have! I had a stroke about 10 months ago, and I have no memories…anymore.
  4. [R14] Google Photos 5/5 · US Love it: I love being reminded of my past
  5. [R1] Google Photos 1/5 · US Deleted all of my important photos: Accidentally synced with Google photos and filled up my storage, can’t uncouple it from my iOS photos and it’s deleted probably over 10k things when I just wanted them removed from Google photos
  6. [R7] Google Photos 2/5 · US What’s the point?: This is not a photo storage app. Do not use this app if you want to store your photos somewhere and delete from your device. Once you delete it from your device, it’ll delete from Google Photos when you sync. What’s the point if I can’t delete them from my device…? I hope this helps someone save their photos from being deleted. I gave it 2 stars because if you truly want to ju
  7. [R9] Google Photos 3/5 · US UI Truncation / Setup Buttons Cut Off on iPhone SE: Title: UI Truncation / Setup Buttons Cut Off on iPhone SE (4.7-inch display) App Version: Latest iOS Release Device: iPhone SE (3rd Gen / 2nd Gen) Description: A critical layout bug prevents iPhone SE users from using the app. Upon launch, the "Ask Photos vs. Classic Search" onboarding prompt appears. Because of the small 4.7-inch screen size,
  8. [R13] Google Photos 1/5 · US Deleted all pictures from my iPhone: This app kept popping up a message that I must share all photos from my iPhone in order to edit or do anything really. I didn’t want to do that, I tried only allowing limited access but that didn’t work so I gave in and shared all photos. Afterwards it still wouldn’t let me edit my pictures with a new message that I needed to download a different thing for that
  9. [R21] Google Photos 3/5 · US Photos won’t delete: I have been a longtime Google Photos user. We’re talking years!!! In the past 6 months I have noticed when I press delete on photos, it doesn’t actually delete. I will have to delete the same photo 3x sometimes Prior to it actually deleting and stop taking up my storage quota. Also, now that it’s not free, there’s little difference between paying here and paying for extra iClo
  10. [R28] 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
  11. [R40] Google Photos 1/5 · US 🚨 🚨 BLOATED app size approaching HALF a GIGABYTE, spams notifications ⛔️: Google Photos was 420.5 MBs and growing to… 423.3 MBs… And like all Google apps, the Photos app is well on its way to AN ENTIRE GIGABYTE (see Gmail). 🚨 This is deplorable and comically out of touch while phone prices are increasing and consumers are crunched for storage, and by the way: bandwidth caps and overage costs exis
  12. [R42] 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!
  13. [R4] Google Photos 1/5 · US Keeps showing my cat that passed away: I got this to use on a family vacation to upload photos to a shared group. Now Google has sucked up all my photos and almost every day sends me a notification like “Look who we found!” And then it’s a picture of my cat that passed away. I’ve already blocked access but Google already hoovered up all my photos. Guess I’ll just delete the app. Working on “deGoo
  14. [R10] Google Photos 1/5 · US Locked me out of my photos: I don’t want Google Photos to have access to my iPhone camera roll, I only have this app for my old pictures from when I had a Samsung. Now it won’t let me access my photos without giving it permission to back up my iPhones camera roll. I don’t want to do that, I don’t have enough storage on my google account for that and I just plain don’t want to give it access. I jus
  15. [R12] Google Photos 3/5 · US Limited Access from iOS: PLEASE fix the program to function with “limited access”, especially for iOS users for group shared folders, where not everyone wants Google to have access to all our personal photos. Personally I am unable to upload new files to our child’s nursery school shared photo album. I have tried repeatedly, along with deleting and redownloading the app in hopes to reset.
  16. [R19] Google Photos 1/5 · US scam: its just a scam to use up data then make u buy more
  17. [R20] Google Photos 5/5 · US Cheep cheep CHEAP!: 200GB for around $29.99/yr (not sure if this has “The Apple Tax) with Google One! After smashing my phone in a car door on a vacation and realizing nothing was backed up, I took the leap and purchased some space from Google to backup all my photos and videos, plus anything I put into Drive. Switching to an iPhone allows me to continue that without being tied down to iCloud! Tha
  18. [R26] Google Photos 5/5 · US Restrictions: Love the app but don’t like when you restrict my access when I reach my free limit Defeats the purpose of the app
  19. [R49] 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
  20. [R78] Amazon Photos 1/5 · GB Support is non existent: Had this app for a few years, suddenly Amazon locked my photos without notice account so I no longer have access. Reported to their support two weeks ago and again 1 week ago, but to no avail. I have now cancelled my subscription and use Google photos instead. I DO NOT recommend.
  21. [R79] Amazon Photos 5/5 · US Best kept secret of prime membership: I love that it gives me this much space for my photos and included in the membership. Apple and Google charge stupid pricing and will continue to.
  22. [R89] Amazon Photos 5/5 · US Must use app: Easy to use and unlimited photos is amazing perks of prime
  23. [R99] Amazon Photos 5/5 · US Amazing: Love the option of unlimited photos
  24. [R43] Google Photos 1/5 · US Never uploads correctly: I imagine this product works well on Android, but on iOS it has been a complete mess for sometime. Images will not upload even when you leave your phone open, you cannot remove images from albums, images disappear from albums, and the list goes on. Fire these PMs and start over from scratch.
  25. [R52] Google Photos 1/5 · US Won’t work unless you give Google access to all your photos: Do you want to add a few photos from vacation to a friend’s share Google photo album? Well, forget it, this app will not let you access and share a few photos, it wants every single photo on your phone. The app claims to allow “limited access” but you can punch that button all day, it won’t work. Then, once you allow “full access,” and h

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