I've got over 15,000 photos on my phone by now and I don't know where to back them up anymore. Some friends recommend iCloud, others say it's way too expensive. I've also heard about local Synology solutions where you store the data at home.
Google Photos is probably the best solution for you if you want to keep things simple. With 15,000 photos you're basically unlimited with the free version (with compression), because older Google accounts still have the generous "Storage Saver" option. If not, you pay relatively little for extra storage - usually around 2-3 euros a month for 100 GB, which is totally sufficient. The thing is simple: upload, available everywhere, and your photos are safely stored.
iCloud is honestly expensive if you need more than 5 GB. For you that would quickly cost 3.99 euros a month (50 GB) or more, depending on how it grows. That adds up to significantly more than Google over a year. However, iCloud has the advantage if you're living in the Apple ecosystem anyway and everything syncs seamlessly. Synology, on the other hand, is a completely different category - that's for people who'd rather control everything themselves and are willing to invest in hardware. You need a NAS device at home for that (from about 200-400 euros), and then you sync your photos locally. It's secure, but also more work to operate and not as convenient if you want to access your photos on the go.
My recommendation: go with Google Photos. It's cheap, reliable, and exactly right for your situation. The encryption is solid, and even if you later need 200 GB, it won't break the bank. Synology is more for people who need a lot of storage for family or bigger projects and are more tech-savvy.
It really depends on what matters to you. With Google Photos you pay for storage, but the search is pretty good and it works across platforms if you're not just using Apple devices. iCloud is actually expensive - 50GB already costs €0.99 a month, and for 15,000 photos you'd rather want the 200GB or 2TB option. It adds up. Google is cheaper if you use the free storage (used to be 15GB, now less) and then pay extra as needed.
A Synology is a whole different ballgame. That's an investment of several hundred euros for the NAS box itself, plus hard drives, but after that you basically don't pay anything - your data stays at home. Great if you're a bit tech-savvy and like setting those things up. I personally like the concept because I prefer to keep my stuff under control and not be dependent on a subscription. Though you do need a decent internet connection if you want access from outside, and the Synology has to be running - electricity costs something too.
Honestly, for most people Google Photos is the best compromise - it's cheap, reliable and uncomplicated. But if you already have a good IT infrastructure at home or feel like getting into it, a Synology pays off in the long run. I'd only recommend iCloud if you're already completely in the Apple ecosystem and don't mind spending the money.
If you want a local solution and care about your privacy, a Synology is really worth checking out - I know several people who use one and they're super happy with it. 🎣 The upfront costs are higher, but then you don't pay anything monthly and your photos stay at home with you. Though you do need a stable internet connection if you want to access it while you're out and about, and the setup isn't quite as straightforward as Google or Apple. For my 15,000+ photos of the kids and my ice fishing trips over the years, I wouldn't have gone that route because the simple solution was more important to me - but if you care about having control and you're tech-savvy, give it a try! 😊
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