Apple Photos review

Apple Photos is the gallery every iPhone already has, and for many iPhone owners the better upgrade is more iCloud storage rather than a new app. Apple's iCloud page says iCloud Photos keeps a lifetime of high-res photos and videos in iCloud with space-saving versions on each device, so the library looks the same on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV and iCloud.com. Shared Albums accept photos from friends on Android or Windows, and a Shared Photo Library can include up to five other people. The free tier is only 5GB, but iCloud+ starts at $0.99 a month for 50GB and runs to 12TB, and a plan can be shared with up to five family members. The weak spots are the small free allowance and the lack of an Android app for your own library, which matters if your household mixes phones. We compared documented features and published prices; we did not test each app.

Who it is for

iPhone owners who keep all their devices in Apple's ecosystem

Price

Built into iPhone; iCloud+ storage from $0.99 per month for 50GB.

50GB $0.99/month
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 11, 2026.

Key features

• iCloud Photos keeps high-res originals in iCloud with space-saving versions on each device
• Shared Albums that people on Android or Windows can also add to
• Shared Photo Library with up to five other people
• iCloud+ plans of 50GB, 200GB, 2TB, 6TB and 12TB
• Advanced Data Protection option for iCloud data

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Nothing to install on iPhone, iPad or Mac
• Strength: iCloud+ can be shared with up to five family members
• Strength: Cheapest paid storage tier on this list at $0.99 a month
• Weakness: Only 5GB of free iCloud storage
• Weakness: No Android app for your own library
• Weakness: iCloud storage also holds device backups and files

Key facts

• Free iCloud storage: 5GB
• Cheapest iCloud+ plan: 50GB for $0.99/month
• Largest plan: 12TB for $59.99/month
• Family sharing: Up to 5 other members
• Shared Photo Library: Up to 5 other people

Where it ranks

Apple Photos is No. 2 in our Best Photo Gallery Apps verdict.