# Immich

Photos you host. Immich is AGPL-3.0 — Google Photos without the library in someone else's building.

**Replaces:** Google Photos

**Tier:** Medium

## Problem

Google Photos is bundled into a Google account (and then Workspace or storage packs). You wanted backup, mobile upload, and a timeline you can export. Immich is AGPL-3.0: mobile apps, ML tagging, a timeline. This is a photo library — not Drive (/replace/google-drive) and not a Nextcloud files suite.

## Stack

- [Immich](https://immich.app) — AGPL-3.0 self-hosted photo and video backup

## Estimated SaaS cost saved

| You stop paying | Typical / year | Self-host instead |
|---|---:|---|
| Google Photos / Workspace storage (small family) | $1,200 | Immich + a volume |

**About $1,200 / year** on a small team, before you count lock-in.

## Deploy on Railway

Placeholder: Immich (server + ML + Redis + Postgres) plus a large volume for originals. Machine-learning jobs want RAM; GPU is optional. No one-click template in this repo yet — Start on Railway. File suites stay on /stacks/nextcloud-files.

[Start on Railway](https://c17.io/go/railway/immich-photos?from=%2Fstacks%2Fimmich-photos.md)

[Nextcloud if this is Drive/files, not a photo timeline](https://c17.io/stacks/nextcloud-files)

## AGENT_PROMPT

```
Replace Google Photos with Immich (https://immich.app).

- Follow Immich's recommended compose: server, microservices, ML, Redis, Postgres, and a volume for the library.
- Install the mobile app, upload one camera roll, confirm a timeline. Turn off public sharing until you want it.
- Write AGENT_PROMPT.md. Take-out from Google if you still can; do not promise every Google Photos search trick.
```

## FAQ

### Why not Nextcloud?

Nextcloud is the Drive/OneDrive suite (/replace/google-drive). Immich is a photo timeline with mobile backup. Use Nextcloud if people dump folders; Immich if they expect a camera-roll app.

### Does this need a GPU?

No. Machine-learning jobs (faces, CLIP) run on CPU and are slower. A GPU helps; it is not required to store and browse photos.

Source: https://c17.io/stacks/immich-photos