From Apple macOS to Linux: Photos
It is another aspect of the seamless Apple ecosystem, and it is tough to replace, but we have contenders that are very much alike
Switching from MacOS to Linux feels like an exhilarating experience, but it is also an adventurous approach back to the basics. The seamless ecosystem and sophisticated UI of macOS made it a very comfortable and known territory. However, in my case, that changed with time, and I started looking into other operating systems, with Linux being one of them because of my long-time usage of it as the second operating system. I’ve also begun to question the value proposition of macOS to my private life, as I wanted more control, privacy, and customization options. It is not simply changing operating systems but taking back control of what my digital space should look like. Linux is definitely liberating because it's open-source.
Good Bye My 20 Years Old Friend: Apple
When considering what I would do with my photos, I compared the following services for my taste. If you know more, please let me know in the comments section.
As you can see, I also included some services that are basically from other giants. You can easily guess that I didn’t choose one of them, but I wanted to include them in the article because they exist, and some of the readers may want to consider them, too.
Google Photos
Link: https://www.google.com/photos/about/
Pros:
Good cooperation with Google services.
Automated photo organization like tagging, albums and photo search features.
Free cloud storage for standard quality supported with inexpensive plans.
Available on the web and on two mobile operating systems: iOS and Android.
Cons:
Risk of internet privacy — Google may use pictures for marketing and ads.
Free cloud option offers over-pixelated images.
No native applications for Linux-based systems (can be used only online).
Privacy:
Image data is collected from users, processed and used for automatic learning systems and marketing; there are no major privacy features.
Microsoft OneDrive
Link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/onedrive/online-cloud-storage
Pros:
Useful integration with all MS products and other programs.
Photos can be categorized and breadcrumbs may be applied automatically.
Cross-platform support for iOS, Android, Windows, Mac and web.
Offers a free tier 5 GB of storage with cheap claiming options.
Cons:
Google hassuperior editing capacities.
Larger storage must have a subscription to MS.
No native software for Linux systems; only 3rd party programs or via the web browser.
Privacy:
Encryption does exist, however the company policies at Microsoft platform contains specifics where data is numbered for better effectiveness of services.
Dropbox
Link: https://www.dropbox.com/
Pros:
Nice third party apps and services collaboration.
Work with files with great ease and share them without difficulty.
Available on iOS and Android operating systems, Mac and Windows, web.
The feature “Dropbox Photos” has photo management features.
Native Linux Client is available although there are features’ cut comparing to Windows and macOS versions.
Cons:
Limited quota on the free tier — 2 GB.
For features such as the automated photo backup, it is essential to have a paid plan.
Privacy:
Users’ data is secured by encryption during the transfer; privacy policy allows the company to use data to enhance services provided to users but does not entail any advertisement.
pCloud
Link: https://www.pcloud.com/
Pros:
Offers zero-knowledge encryption for paid users, ensuring maximum privacy.
Linux Client is available.
Lifetime plans are quite cheap.
Good media playback capabilities (audio/video).
Cons:
Encryption with zero-knowledge is not provided for free accounts.
Limited free storage space of 10 gb with 2 gb bonus on sign-up activities.
Privacy:
Zero-knowledge encryption available; user data is not accessible to pCloud staff.
Sync.com
Link: https://www.sync.com/
Pros:
Encryption from the beginning to the end which provides for enhanced privacy.
Easy sharing and collaboration features with password-protected links.
Reasonably priced plans with good free storage of 5GB.
Cons:
No native Linux application (web access and third-party solutions only).
Lacks features such as tagging and basic photo organization.
Privacy:
Zero-knowledge encryption means Sync.com cannot access user files.
Amazon Photos
Link: https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Photos
Pros:
Amazon prime members can store images in an unlimited full resolution
Good integration with Amazon devices like Fire TV, Echo show
Cons:
Web access only for Linux users.
Limited free storage for non-Prime users (5 GB)
Privacy:
Encrypted during transit and storage; privacy concerns tied to Amazon’s data-sharing practices.
Mega
Link: https://mega.io/
Pros:
All communication is encoded such that only sender and receiver have access to the contents thereby ensuring true privacy.
The web interface works perfectly and the Linux application is also available which is a bit problematic about syncing.
Allows signup with a generous 20 GB free account and the amount raises with additional referrals.
Cons:
Limited photo management capabilities.
Only a few playback options are available when it comes to videos.
Privacy:
Zero-knowledge encryption ensures that only the user has access to files
Nextcloud
Link: https://nextcloud.com/
Pros:
A self-hosted system which allows complete peace of mind as far as data privacy is concerned.
The web interface works correctly and there is a Linux application.
Active community and all aspects can be integrated with a host of different applications.
There are also options for cloud hosting.
Cons:
Due to the fact that, there is a considerable amount of technical knowledge that is essential for setup and maintain.
Additional plugins are necessary for photo management.
Privacy:
Fully private if self-hosted; encryption options depend on setup.
Jottacloud
Link: https://jottacloud.com/en/
Pros:
Located in Norway where stringent data privacy regulations apply.
Offers unlimited storage plans.
Multi-platform support as iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows and over the web.
Cons:
No Linux native app, only through a third party or web.
Photo management is weaker than competitors.
Privacy:
All data is encrypted in transit and at rest; and protected by robust Norwegian privacy laws which are more advanced than many other countries’ standards.
Icedrive
Link: https://icedrive.net/
Pros:
Strong privacy features with twofish encryption.
Offer competitive pricing plans including lifetime ones.
User-friendly and sleek design.
Native Client for Linux
Cons:
No advanced photo management features.
Relatively small free storage (10 GB).
Privacy:
End-to-end encryption is provided; Icedrive cannot access user files as encryption keys are user-controlled.
From Apple macOS to Linux: Operating System
From Apple macOS to Linux: iCloud