Ente: Privacy-Focused Google Photos Alternative

A New Contender in Photo Storage: Ente

Google Photos, initially designed as a default image application for Android devices, has evolved into a widely used photo backup solution. However, the discontinuation of unlimited storage in 2020 prompted a shift in the market.

This alteration in Google’s approach has created opportunities for alternative photo backup services to emerge and present their capabilities. Specifically, individuals concerned about data privacy are increasingly drawn to services prioritizing security.

Introducing Ente: Privacy-Focused Photo Backup

Ente, an open-source project spearheaded by Vishnu Mohandas, a former Google employee, provides end-to-end encrypted photo storage across multiple platforms. This ensures that the service itself has no access to user photos.

The startup employs a strategy of storing photos in three separate locations to enhance both reliability and accessibility. Furthermore, its open-source nature allows for public code inspection and the possibility of self-hosting for enhanced security.

On-Device Processing and Advanced Features

All user-facing functionalities are processed directly on the user’s device. This includes tasks like facial and location recognition, theme creation, and memory curation, all performed locally.

Processed data is then synchronized across devices using end-to-end encryption. Users can also leverage natural language search to locate photos, for example, by searching for “beach sunsets in India.”

Accessibility and Pricing

Ente offers a web client, alongside applications for Android, iOS, and desktop platforms. A complimentary storage tier of 10GB is provided.

Paid plans begin at $9.99 monthly for 1TB of storage, and a single account can be shared among up to five users.

The Motivation Behind Ente

In a discussion with TechCrunch, Mohandas explained that despite his use of various Google products, including Photos, he felt uneasy with the company’s privacy policies.

“While Google prioritizes security, user privacy isn’t a central concern. They demonstrate a lack of regard for customer data and the potential consequences of mishandling it,” Mohandas stated. He further noted this isn’t surprising given Google’s advertising-based business model.

He explored alternatives like Apple and Dropbox but found their interfaces unsatisfactory and cross-platform access challenging.

Growth and Future Plans

Ente, currently self-funded, reports over 150,000 registered users who have collectively stored more than 165 million photos. Despite this growth, the company has no immediate plans to pursue venture capital.

“The potential cost of our service being discontinued is substantial, as users would need to migrate their data. We are hesitant to accept venture funding that might encourage growth strategies leading to such an outcome,” Mohandas explained.

The open-source community surrounding Ente is robust, with all 12 employees originating from within the community. The company also provides support for users wishing to self-host the application.

Mohandas acknowledges that privacy alone isn’t sufficient to drive adoption and emphasizes Ente’s commitment to matching the feature set of established services like Google Photos. They are also exploring an Android app that functions without requiring user login and offers local photo categorization.