With the popularity of smartphones, these devices have become an indispensable tool in modern people's lives. With ever-improving camera technology and photo quality, we can easily capture unforgettable moments anytime, anywhere. However, photographs frequently occupy a large amount of storage space on our phones. As for the analogue photographs that have been developed in the past, it is difficult to avoid fading and yellowing over time. Hong Kong's property prices are also expensive, and it is challenging to find space to store lots of thick photo albums. To solve the above problems, digitising photos and backing all of your photos to an online photo album can be the ideal solution.
What is an Online Photo Album?
An online photo album is a cloud service hosted online where digitised photos are stored. Many technology giants like Google, Amazon and Microsoft provide online photo album services and offer a variety of service plans based on storage capacity and functions. You can simply use the online photo album apps to access your photos on any device.
Benefits of an Online Photo Album
When digital photos are uploaded to the cloud, you can browse and share photos anytime, anywhere through electronic devices without being limited by the amount of storage space of your mobile phone or computer. After your analogue photos are digitised into digital format and stored in the online photo album, you also no longer have to worry about finding a space to store the physical album. In addition, the photos uploaded to an online photo album are extremely secure, which greatly reduces the chance of losing your personal data due to hardware loss or damage. All of your precious memories can be preserved forever.
7 Online Photo Album Apps Comparison
Google Photos
Introduction | Launched by Google, originally a photo album service for Google+, it became an independent service in 2015. It stores photos and videos and has a web version. |
Function & storage | Function: Automatic backup, automatic photo sorting , intelligent search |
Supported mobile models | Android, iOS |
| Storage time* | Permanent (If the account has been inactive for two years, the stored content may be affected.) |
| Pros | Easy to use, suitable for people who lack of time to organise photos |
| Cons | Higher fee |
| Fees(Personal user) |
|
Apple iCloud
Introduction | Created by Apple to store music, photos, application data, files, contacts, and calendars, etc. |
Function & storage | Function: Instantly sync to all devices owned by the same account and supports iCloud sync |
Supported mobile models | iOS |
| Storage time* | Permanent |
| Pros | Convenience for iOS users, premium plan includes extra features like hidden email and customised email domains, etc. |
| Cons | Non-iOS users may find it difficult to use. |
| Fees(Personal user) |
|
Flickr
Introduction | Created by the Canadian company Ludicorp and merged by Yahoo in 2005. SmugMug, a professional image gallery service provider, purchased it in 2018. |
Function & storage | Function: Community is the fundamental idea, and users can follow each other and upload photos |
Supported mobile models | Android, iOS |
| Storage time* | Permanent (Users with free accounts will be deleted if they have not logged in for more than 90 consecutive days) |
| Pros | No need to compress photos to save space, share in social media and interact with photographers |
| Cons | Higher fee |
| Fees(Personal user) |
(The above price does not include tax) |
pCloud
Introduction | pCloud was founded in 2013 by a Swiss company |
Function & storage | Capacity: Free 10GB storage;500 GB,2TB,10TB |
Supported mobile models | Android, iOS, Windows Mobile |
| Storage time* | Permanent |
| Pros | Two-factor authentication function and provide a buyout plan |
| Cons | The mobile application’s user interface is currently only available in English |
| Fees(Personal user) | Get up to 10GB free capacity after completing specific tasks Annual payment plan
Buyout Plan
|
Dropbox
Introduction | Founded in 2007 by MIT students |
Function & storage | Function: Data restoration function within 30 days
|
Supported mobile models | Android, iOS, Windows Mobile |
| Storage time* | Permanent |
| Pros | Easy to use, suitable for storing any file types |
| Cons | Higher fee |
| Fees(Personal user) |
|
MEGA
Introduction | MEGA was developed by Mega Limited and launched in New Zealand in 2013. |
Function & storage | Function: Focus on privacy, point-to-point encryption for data when uploading |
Supported mobile models | Android, iOS |
| Storage time* | Permanent |
| Pros | All shared links are securely encrypted, and the computer app and mobile app can be synchronised and backed up in real time. |
| Cons | Complex interface |
| Fees(Personal user) |
|
OneDrive
Introduction | Onedrive is a cloud-based storage service that integrates Microsoft Office software services |
Function & storage | Function: The mobile app has a gallery synchronisation function, which automatically sorts photos by the scene. |
Supported mobile models | Android、iOS、Windows Mobile |
| Storage time* | Permanent |
| Pros | Windows system interface is user-friendly |
| Cons | Slow access to non-Windows system devices |
| Fees(Personal user) |
|
*Account inactivity policies vary from platform to platform. Users are advised to review relevant policies to prevent storage capacity interruption caused by inactive accounts.
How to choose a online photo album？
The above 7 popular online photo albums have their own advantages and disadvantages. You can choose according to your own needs, such as:
- The amount of storage that you need
- Additional file types that you need to store
- Choose a service with encryption if privacy is more important
- Choose a family/group plan if you share storage space with your family. It may be more economical.
Digitise your Precious Photos NOW!
Capture.HK’s photo album digitissation service can efficiently digitise each photo allowing you to easily view it on electronic devices and pass on your precious photos to future generations. We use a touchless digitisation process and proprietary digitisation technology to ensure that photos are never removed from your album which prevents damage. Moreover, we can upload your digitised photos to Google Photos, so you can instantly view and share them with loved ones wherever you are. The best and safest way to protect your memories is with digital photos stored in the cloud on Google Photos. This lowers the possibility of losing your priceless memories.
Learn more about Capture HK Photo Album Digitisation and Photograph Digitisation now!