Best DS photo alternatives: apps like DS photo

Whether you want more options like DS photo or a completely different take on the same concept, our curated list of 10+ similar apps has you covered. Updated for 2026 with the latest ratings and comparisons.

Top Alternatives to DS photo

Photos Backup for Synology by Sonar Workshop

Background Synchronization

Editor's Choice

4.8😊(634 ratings)

FreeIn-App Purchases

Effortlessly back up and synchronize your photos and albums in the background to your Synology NAS. This app offers robust tools for managing your photo library, including selective backups and space-saving options. Enjoy reliable synchronization with smart idle-time backups and detailed progress notifications.

What We Love

👍 Easy to use and intuitive interface
🚀 Fast backup speeds compared to alternatives
💾 Comprehensive backup options and settings
📁 Preserves album structure and organization
🎯 Reliable and consistent performance
🔧 Responsive developer support
⚡ Efficient file transfer process
🛡️ Secure backup to personal NAS

Room to Improve

💰 High subscription costs relative to functionality
🚫 Cannot run in background on iOS
⏱️ App stops when switching screens
🔄 No automatic sync capability
🐛 Connection setup can be confusing
❌ Not official Synology app
📍 Metadata not fully preserved (location data)
🔐 Multi-factor authentication causes issues

Plex Photos by Plex Inc.

Your photos, anytime, anywhere

Strong Contender

1.3😞(294 ratings)

Free

Access and view your personal photo libraries from anywhere. Relive your favorite moments with curated highlights, chronological timelines, and organized library browsing. Requires a Plex Media Server with a photos library.

What We Love

🚀 Quick response
👍 Good organization
🎉 Impressive beginning

Room to Improve

🐛 Freezes and crashes
🚫 Lacks basic features
🤔 Questionable purpose
🚫 No HEIC support
🚫 No upload/sync capability
🚫 Limited functionality

Conflux - Video Player by 健刘

All-Format Player · NAS Cloud

Worth Considering

Browse photos on your QNAP NAS

4.2😐(67 ratings)

FreeIn-App Purchases

Play any video format on your Apple devices without transcoding. Stream from network drives or cloud services, with advanced subtitle support and immersive audio/visual features.

What We Love

🎨 Beautiful and elegant user interface design
⚡ Fast and responsive performance
🆓 Free application with no mandatory subscription
📱 Cross-platform support (iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV)
🎬 Excellent Emby integration and compatibility
🖼️ Polished and minimalist aesthetic
🎯 Intuitive navigation and user experience
🌟 High visual quality and attention to detail

Room to Improve

🐛 Frequent crashes and freezes on Apple TV
🐛 Playback stops or becomes unresponsive
🐛 Black screen issues when switching windows
🔌 Limited cloud storage support (few cloud services)
❌ Unable to disable iCloud sync
💰 Expensive Pro/Ultra pricing ($44.99)
🚫 Payment/checkout errors (502 errors)
📊 No sorting options for libraries (by release date, genre, etc.)
🎭 Dolby Vision color rendering issues
📝 Metadata editing limitations (especially for TV shows on Mac)
🔤 Subtitle display problems and font issues
🌐 WebDAV HTTPS connection issues with NAS
🎚️ No quality/resolution selection for cloud videos
🔊 Subtitle and audio track selection unresponsive in some versions

More apps like DS photo

QuMagie

AI-powered photo and video managementFacial recognitionObject recognition

This app leverages AI for intelligent photo and video management on your QNAP NAS. It uses facial and object recognition to simplify browsing and organization, allowing access to your media library from anywhere via your mobile device.

(72)

AiFoto

by ASUSTOR Inc.

Smart albums and foldersTimeline viewInstant auto-upload

Organize and back up your photos with smart albums, timelines, and keyword search. Share photos securely with encrypted links and manage transfers easily. Free up device space after backing up.

(26)

Pixette – Slideshow for NAS

Photo Frame: Immich, Synology

Connects to NAS via WebDAV/SMBSmart slideshow with Ken Burns effectFace and Saliency Detection for framing

Transform your iPad or iPhone into a digital photo frame that displays memories directly from your NAS. Enjoy smart framing, EXIF filters, and customizable overlays without uploading your files.

(43)

freemium

PhotoSync – transfer photos

Backup to computer, NAS, cloud

Cross-platform support (iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Linux)Unlimited full-resolution photo/video transferDirect Wi-Fi transfers (no internet/cloud needed)

Effortlessly transfer and back up unlimited photos and videos in full resolution across devices, computers, NAS, and cloud services. Organize files automatically and maintain all metadata. Enjoy independence from cloud storage and iTunes.

free with in-app purchases

(8.3K)

UGREEN, ASUSTOR, WD, any NAS

Photos Backup for NAS

Effortless background syncComplete backup tools and settingsWorks with all NAS devices on SMB networks

Effortlessly back up your photos and videos to your NAS device. This app offers automatic background synchronization, selective backup options, and detailed history tracking. Free up space on your phone after a successful backup.

free with in-app purchases

(64)

Your photos in your Cloud

Piwigo

Browse and manage albumsEdit, download, and delete photos/videosUpload media with metadata

Manage your cloud-based photo gallery from your mobile device. Organize albums, edit photos and videos, upload new media with detailed metadata, and share your creations. This app complements the web-based Piwigo software for a seamless photo management experience.

(182)

Immich

Self-hosted Backup Tool

Mobile client for Immich ServerPhoto and video backupSelf-hosted solution

This is a client application that connects to a self-hosted Immich Server. It allows users to back up their photos and videos from their mobile devices to their own server, providing a private and customizable cloud storage solution.

(795)