Hi guys. I recently decided to give Immich a try for an alternative to Google Photos. So far, I'm very pleased with the results.

Equipment used:

1. Raspberry Pi 4, 2GB

2. WD Blue X2 (1 for photo + dB, the other redundancy)

3. Maiwo SATA docking station

The interface is very similar to Google Photos, however, it lacks some of the not so important features such as collage maker or automatic photo albums.

The most important feature are:

1. Automatically sorting photos by DateTimeOriginal / Creation Date.
2. Automatic de-duplication
3. Facial recognition
4. Smart search

The ML features certainly make it stand out among the self hosted alternatives. Immich includes a remote ML function. i.e. my Pi will use the GPU on my desktop for ML purposes. The GPU is not needed after the initial ML process.

The Android app is pretty good too. No DNS needed. Just tunnel into my Pi when I'm outside.

You don't need a pi, of course. Any computer would work. However, the Immich Devs recommend using HDD in ext4 FS.

As for cost, my set up cost RM705. However, my Pi has been with me for several years now. If I were to start from scratch with a Pi 5 4GB, the set up would cost me RM834.

When comparing this with Google One 2TB (the lowest package is 100GB, not suitable), my set up will be cheaper after 20 months (RM834 / RM42.99).

For redundancy, I use Rsync to clone my main HDD.

Of course some LYN will recommend I pixelfy or buy a Pixel 5. The thing is, we don't know when Google Photos will clamp down. This way I am in full control and have another backup, while I continue to use Google Photos + iCloud (free. Ada orang sedekah family plan).

The cons:

1. Need to VPN.
2. No frills
3. Pi gets hot. Need to aim fan at pi when uploading photos.

Hope someone finds this useful

This post has been edited by trent666: Sep 4 2024, 04:10 PM

Saved for weekend project
Thanks!

What is ML? Machine learning? The smart search using machine learning? When you're searching you need your PC to be running for the smart search to function?

If don't want use VPN, I think you can port forward Immich but this is only for those that really know what they're doing and how to avoid from being hacked. Or also can use Tailscale.

1. PC with GPU only needed when processing photos to create vector DB.

2. Tailscale boleh. Ambo pakai Nordvpn Meshnet. There are many methods for remote access.

This post has been edited by trent666: Sep 5 2024, 11:12 AM