> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/awesome-selfhosted/awesome-selfhosted/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Photo Galleries

> Self-hosted photo gallery and image management software

# Photo Galleries

A [gallery](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gallery_Software) is software that helps you publish, share, and manage photos, pictures, videos or other digital media.

<Note>
  Related categories: Static Site Generators, [Media Streaming - Video](/categories/media-streaming-video), [Content Management Systems (CMS)](/categories/content-management)
</Note>

## Featured Photo Gallery Software

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Immich" icon="images" href="https://immich.app/">
    High-performance photo and video backup solution
  </Card>

  <Card title="PhotoPrism" icon="camera" href="https://photoprism.org">
    AI-powered photo management with face recognition
  </Card>

  <Card title="Piwigo" icon="image" href="https://piwigo.org/">
    Feature-rich photo gallery for the web
  </Card>

  <Card title="Lychee" icon="photo-film" href="https://lycheeorg.github.io/">
    Beautiful photo management system
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## All Photo Gallery Applications

### Modern Full-Featured Galleries

**Immich** - Photo and video backup solution directly from your mobile phone.

* [Demo](https://github.com/immich-app/immich#demo) | [Source Code](https://github.com/immich-app/immich)
* License: `AGPL-3.0`
* Platform: `Docker`

**PhotoPrism** - Personal photo management powered by Go and Google TensorFlow. Browse, organize, and share with automatic tagging.

* [Demo](https://demo.photoprism.app/library/browse) | [Source Code](https://github.com/photoprism/photoprism)
* License: `AGPL-3.0`
* Platform: `Go/Docker`

**Ente** - End-to-end encrypted photo-sharing platform (alternative to Google Photos, Apple Photos).

* [Source Code](https://github.com/ente-io/ente)
* License: `AGPL-3.0`
* Platform: `Docker/Nodejs/Go`

**LibrePhotos** - Photo management service with cool graphs (alternative to Google Photos).

* [Source Code](https://github.com/LibrePhotos/librephotos)
* License: `MIT`
* Platform: `Python/Docker`

**Piwigo** - Photo gallery software for the web, built by an active community.

* [Source Code](https://github.com/Piwigo/Piwigo)
* License: `GPL-2.0`
* Platform: `PHP`

### Lightweight & Fast Galleries

**Chevereto** - Ultimate image sharing software. Create your own image hosting website.

* [Source Code](https://github.com/chevereto/chevereto)
* License: `AGPL-3.0`
* Platform: `PHP/Docker`

**Lychee** - Grid and album based photo-management-system.

* [Source Code](https://github.com/LycheeOrg/Lychee)
* License: `MIT`
* Platform: `PHP/Docker`

**Photofield** - Experimental fast photo viewer.

* [Source Code](https://github.com/SmilyOrg/photofield)
* License: `MIT`
* Platform: `Docker/Go`

**Photoview** - Simple and user-friendly photo gallery optimized for large collections with thousands of high-resolution photos.

* [Demo](https://photoview.github.io/) | [Source Code](https://github.com/photoview/photoview)
* License: `GPL-3.0`
* Platform: `Go/Docker`

**PiGallery 2** - Directory-first photo gallery with rich UI, optimized for low resource servers.

* [Source Code](https://github.com/bpatrik/pigallery2)
* License: `MIT`
* Platform: `Docker/Nodejs`

**SPIS** - Simple, lightweight and fast media server with decent mobile support.

* [Source Code](https://github.com/gbbirkisson/spis)
* License: `GPL-3.0`
* Platform: `Docker/Rust`

### AI-Powered & Advanced Features

**Damselfly** - Fast server-based photo management for large collections. Includes face detection, object recognition, and EXIF keyword tagging.

* [Source Code](https://github.com/webreaper/damselfly)
* License: `GPL-3.0`
* Platform: `Docker/C#/.NET`

**HomeGallery** - Browse personal photos and videos with tagging, mobile-friendly, and AI-powered image discovery.

* [Demo](https://demo.home-gallery.org) | [Source Code](https://github.com/xemle/home-gallery)
* License: `MIT`
* Platform: `Nodejs/Docker`

### Specialized & Unique Galleries

**ChronoFrame** - Personal gallery with online photo management, supporting Live/Motion Photos and explore map.

* [Demo](https://lens.bh8.ga/) | [Source Code](https://github.com/HoshinoSuzumi/chronoframe)
* License: `MIT`
* Platform: `Nodejs/Docker`

**Immich Kiosk** - Lightweight slideshow for kiosk devices using Immich as data source.

* [Source Code](https://github.com/damongolding/immich-kiosk)
* License: `GPL-3.0`
* Platform: `Docker/Go`

**This week in past** - Aggregates images taken this week from previous years for slideshow.

* [Source Code](https://github.com/RouHim/this-week-in-past)
* License: `MIT`
* Platform: `Docker/Rust`

**WeddingShare** - Event photo sharing platform with slideshow and QR code access.

* [Demo](https://demo.wedding-share.org/) | [Source Code](https://github.com/Cirx08/WeddingShare)
* License: `GPL-3.0`
* Platform: `C#/Docker`

### Cloud Integration & Nextcloud

**Nextcloud Memories** - Fast, modern photo management suite running as a Nextcloud app.

* [Demo](https://demo.memories.gallery/apps/memories/) | [Source Code](https://github.com/pulsejet/memories)
* License: `AGPL-3.0`
* Platform: `PHP`

### Static & Simple Galleries

**Mejiro** - Easy-to-use instant photo publishing.

* [Source Code](https://github.com/dmpop/pellicola)
* License: `GPL-3.0`
* Platform: `PHP`

**sigal** - Yet another simple static gallery generator.

* [Source Code](https://github.com/saimn/sigal)
* License: `MIT`
* Platform: `Python`

**Zenphoto** - Open-source gallery and CMS project.

* [Source Code](https://github.com/zenphoto/zenphoto)
* License: `GPL-2.0`
* Platform: `PHP`

### Media Management Tools

**Mediagoblin** - Media publishing platform (alternative to Flickr, YouTube, SoundCloud).

* [Source Code](https://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/mediagoblin.git/tree/)
* License: `AGPL-3.0`
* Platform: `Python`

**Thumbor** - Smart imaging service for on-demand cropping, resizing, and optimizing images.

* [Source Code](https://github.com/thumbor/thumbor)
* License: `MIT`
* Platform: `Python/Docker`

## Choosing the Right Gallery

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Google Photos Alternative">
    **Best Options**: Immich, PhotoPrism, Ente, LibrePhotos

    **Features:**

    * Automatic organization
    * Face recognition
    * Mobile apps
    * AI-powered search
    * Timeline view

    **Recommendation**: Immich for the most Google Photos-like experience
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Simple Photo Sharing">
    **Best Options**: Lychee, Piwigo, Chevereto

    **Features:**

    * Easy album management
    * Share links
    * Simple upload
    * Clean interface

    **Recommendation**: Lychee for beautiful UI with minimal setup
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Large Collections">
    **Best Options**: PhotoPrism, Photoview, Damselfly

    **Features:**

    * Handle thousands of photos
    * Fast browsing
    * Metadata management
    * Duplicate detection

    **Recommendation**: PhotoPrism for best performance and features
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Privacy Focused">
    **Best Options**: Ente, LibrePhotos, Immich

    **Features:**

    * End-to-end encryption (Ente)
    * No cloud dependency
    * Self-hosted completely
    * No tracking

    **Recommendation**: Ente for maximum privacy with encryption
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Feature Comparison

| Feature               | Immich | PhotoPrism | Lychee | Piwigo | Ente   |
| --------------------- | ------ | ---------- | ------ | ------ | ------ |
| Mobile Apps           | ✓      | ✓          | ✗      | ✓      | ✓      |
| Face Recognition      | ✓      | ✓          | ✗      | Plugin | ✗      |
| AI Search             | ✓      | ✓          | ✗      | ✗      | ✗      |
| RAW Support           | ✓      | ✓          | ✓      | ✓      | ✓      |
| Video Support         | ✓      | ✓          | ✓      | ✓      | ✓      |
| End-to-End Encryption | ✗      | ✗          | ✗      | ✗      | ✓      |
| Timeline View         | ✓      | ✓          | ✗      | ✗      | ✓      |
| Map/Location          | ✓      | ✓          | ✓      | ✓      | ✓      |
| Multi-user            | ✓      | ✓          | ✓      | ✓      | ✓      |
| Resource Usage        | Medium | High       | Low    | Low    | Medium |

## Setup Recommendations

<Steps>
  <Step title="Choose Storage Location">
    Decide where to store photos:

    * Local storage (fast access)
    * NAS (centralized)
    * External drives (backup)

    Recommended: Local SSD + NAS backup
  </Step>

  <Step title="Organize Before Import">
    Structure your photos before importing:

    ```
    /photos/
      /2024/
        /01-January/
        /02-February/
      /2023/
    ```

    Or let the gallery organize automatically.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Hardware Acceleration">
    For video thumbnails and processing:

    * Enable GPU support in Docker
    * Configure transcoding (PhotoPrism, Immich)
    * Improves performance significantly
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set Up Mobile Apps">
    Install companion apps:

    * **Immich**: iOS/Android apps for automatic backup
    * **PhotoPrism**: Progressive web app
    * **Ente**: Native iOS/Android apps
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Backups">
    Essential for photo preservation:

    * 3-2-1 rule: 3 copies, 2 different media, 1 offsite
    * Automated backup scripts
    * Test restore procedures
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Performance Tips

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Hardware Requirements">
    **Minimum:**

    * 2 GB RAM (4 GB for AI features)
    * Dual-core CPU
    * 10 GB for application + photo storage

    **Recommended for Large Collections:**

    * 8 GB RAM (16 GB for PhotoPrism with AI)
    * Quad-core CPU or better
    * SSD for database and cache
    * GPU for video transcoding
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Optimization">
    * Enable thumbnail generation during off-peak hours
    * Use lossy thumbnails to save space
    * Configure appropriate cache sizes
    * Disable features you don't need (face recognition, etc.)
    * Use reverse proxy caching (Nginx, Caddy)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Database Tuning">
    For large collections (100K+ photos):

    * Use PostgreSQL instead of SQLite
    * Increase connection pool sizes
    * Regular database maintenance
    * Monitor query performance
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Mobile Backup Configuration

<Tip>
  **Automatic Phone Backup**

  For automatic photo backup from your phone:

  1. **Immich**: Best option with dedicated mobile apps
     * Background upload
     * Wi-Fi only option
     * Battery optimization

  2. **PhotoPrism**: Use WebDAV or third-party sync apps
     * PhotoSync (iOS/Android)
     * FolderSync (Android)

  3. **Ente**: Native apps with E2E encryption
     * Automatic backup
     * Album organization
</Tip>

<Warning>
  **Privacy Considerations**

  When hosting photo galleries:

  * Be careful with face recognition data
  * Consider data retention policies
  * Use encryption for sensitive photos (Ente)
  * Implement strong access controls
  * Regular security updates
</Warning>