I said goodbye to Google Photos and reclaimed control of my backups [Video]

In the current digital age, storing photos and videos has become more than just preserving memories; it now serves as a curated archive of our lives. Google Photos has long been a convenient solution for many, but the monthly subscription fee and potential privacy concerns may not be worth it for some. That’s why exploring other options is a tempting prospect.

To test the available options and gain more control over my photos, I decided to switch from Google Photos and found Synology BeeStation to be a popular choice among users. Here is my story of why I made the switch and how I did it seamlessly.

The main reasons behind my decision to replace Google Photos were cost, privacy, and family backups. Google Photos offers free storage for “high quality” photos with slight compression, but upgrading to store photos in their original quality requires a monthly subscription fee. Concerns about privacy with data stored on third-party servers and the desire for full control over my photos led me to seek an alternative solution. Additionally, providing a backup solution for my family members who were not tech-savvy was also a key factor in my decision.

Choosing BeeStation was based on its one-time fee, local storage capabilities, and my previous positive experiences with Synology products. Setting up BeeStation was straightforward, and transferring my content from Google Photos was made easy with the Google Takeout function.

BeeStation’s “BeePhotos” app offers features similar to Google Photos but lacks some advanced AI-driven functionalities. It allows for automatic backups and categorization of photos, as well as face recognition and offline access capabilities. Despite some drawbacks, such as the sealed internal drive and potential limitations for larger collections, BeeStation serves as a solid and user-friendly solution for managing a photo library.

Overall, while BeeStation helped me cut costs and regain control over my photos, it is not without its downsides. However, for those looking to transition from cloud-based storage to a more accessible and manageable offline solution, BeeStation offers a practical and efficient alternative.

In conclusion, Synology BeeStation provides a simple and effective way to take back control of your photo storage and management. While it may not be the perfect solution for everyone, it offers a compelling option for those seeking a reliable and user-friendly offline storage solution. Considerations about speed, accessibility, and storage capacity should be taken into account when evaluating whether BeeStation is the right fit for your photo management needs.

Article Source
https://9to5google.com/2024/06/21/how-i-ditched-google-photos-and-took-my-backups-back-video/