DB Labs
Amazon Photos vs Google Photos (2026): Which Is Better for iPhone?
Amazon offers unlimited photo storage for Prime members. Google offers the best AI-powered search and editing. We compare both services head-to-head for iPhone users.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | Google Photos | Amazon Photos |
|---|---|---|
| Free storage | 15 GB (shared with Gmail/Drive) | 5 GB (non-Prime) / Unlimited photos (Prime) |
| Photo quality | Original or Storage saver (16MP max) | Always original, zero compression (Prime) |
| Video storage | Counts against quota (Original) or 1080p (Saver) | 5 GB for video even with Prime |
| AI search | Excellent: natural language, scenes, text in photos | Basic: people, places |
| Photo editing | Magic Eraser, filters, portrait blur, HDR | Minimal editing tools |
| Auto-created content | Collages, animations, memories, movies | Basic memories and slideshows |
| Sharing | Partner sharing, shared albums, link sharing | Family Vault (up to 5 members) |
| RAW file support | Limited RAW support | Full RAW file support |
| App quality | Excellent iOS app, fast and polished | Functional but less polished |
| Cross-platform | iOS, Android, web, ChromeOS | iOS, Android, web, Fire tablets |
| Paid plans | 100GB $1.99, 200GB $2.99, 2TB $9.99 | 100GB $1.99, 1TB $6.99, 2TB $11.99 |
Google Photos: Why It Wins on Features
Strengths
- Best-in-class AI search: Type "beach vacation 2024" or "dog playing in snow" and Google finds matching photos instantly. Natural language search is years ahead of Amazon.
- Magic Eraser: Remove unwanted people or objects from photos with a tap. Free for all users.
- 15GB free: Three times more free storage than Amazon's 5GB (non-Prime).
- Auto-created content: Google automatically generates collages, animations, and themed collections.
- Superior app experience: The Google Photos iOS app is fast, well-designed, and intuitive.
Weaknesses
- No unlimited option: Since 2021, all uploads count against your storage quota.
- Storage saver compresses: The space-saving mode caps photos at 16MP and videos at 1080p.
- Privacy concerns: Google processes photos on its servers for AI features.
Amazon Photos: Why It Wins on Value
Strengths
- Unlimited full-res photos for Prime: No storage limit, no compression, no quality reduction. If you have Prime, photo storage is effectively free.
- Zero compression: Every photo stored at exact original quality. Google's Storage saver mode reduces quality; Amazon never does.
- Family Vault: Share unlimited photo storage with up to 5 family members, even without their own Prime membership.
- RAW file support: Full support for professional RAW formats. Useful for photographers.
- Already paying for Prime: If you have Prime for shipping and video, photo storage is a free bonus.
Weaknesses
- 5GB video limit: Even Prime members only get 5GB for video. This is a deal-breaker for anyone who shoots video regularly.
- Basic AI: Search and editing features are far behind Google's capabilities.
- Less polished app: The Amazon Photos iOS app works but feels less refined than Google Photos.
- Tied to Prime: Cancel Prime and you lose unlimited storage. Photos are preserved but you cannot upload beyond 5GB.
Who Should Choose What?
Choose Google Photos if:
You want the best AI search and editing tools. You shoot video regularly (Amazon's 5GB video limit is a non-starter). You use both iPhone and Android devices. You value a polished, feature-rich app experience. Google Photos is the better all-around service.
Choose Amazon Photos if:
You already have Prime and want unlimited photo storage at no extra cost. You primarily shoot photos (not video). You value original quality with zero compression. You shoot RAW and want full RAW support. Amazon Photos is the best value for photo-only backup.
Use both:
Some users run both services. Amazon Photos for unlimited full-quality photo backup, Google Photos for its superior search and editing when you need to find or edit specific photos. This approach gives you the best features of each service.
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Download Swype FreeFrequently Asked Questions
Is Amazon Photos or Google Photos better?
Google Photos is better overall for features -- its AI search, Magic Eraser, and app experience are industry-leading. Amazon Photos is better on value for Prime members who get unlimited full-resolution photo storage at no extra cost. If you care most about features and AI, choose Google. If you care most about unlimited free photo storage with zero compression, choose Amazon (with Prime).
Is Amazon Photos free with Prime?
Yes. Amazon Prime members ($14.99/month or $139/year) get unlimited full-resolution photo storage with zero compression. There is no cap on the number of photos or total storage used for photos. However, video storage is limited to 5GB even for Prime members -- additional video storage must be purchased separately. Without Prime, you get 5GB total for photos and videos combined.
Does Amazon Photos compress photos like Google Photos?
No. Amazon Photos stores every photo at its exact original resolution and quality with zero compression for Prime members. Google Photos offers two modes: Original quality (no compression, counts against your storage quota) and Storage saver (compresses photos to 16MP max and videos to 1080p max, saving storage space). If preserving original quality matters and you have Prime, Amazon Photos is the better choice for photos.