PhotoSync alternatives for backing up iPhone photos to a NAS (2026)
By Isaac Griffiths, developer of SMBDrop ·
Disclosure: I make SMBDrop, and I've put it first. It's first because it's the most direct alternative if what you use PhotoSync for is sending originals to an SMB share. It isn't the right pick for everyone, and I say who each option suits. PhotoSync itself is a mature, capable app; this list is for people who want something different, not a claim that it's bad.
PhotoSync has been a go-to iPhone transfer app for years. People look for alternatives for a few common reasons: the free version sends reduced-quality copies and converts HEIC and RAW to JPEG; automatic transfers need the Premium tier; or it simply has more settings than they need. In the UK App Store as of October 2026, PhotoSync Pro is a one-off £5.99, and Premium, which adds Autotransfer, is £0.79 a month, £5.99 a year or £24.99 for life.
Here are the alternatives, with what each one is best at. Prices change, so check the App Store before buying.
Quick comparison
| App | Price (October 2026) | Sends to | Automatic backup | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SMBDrop | £2.99 once | Any SMB share | You pick what to send; it sends in the background | Originals to any NAS or PC, no account |
| Synology Photos | Free (needs a Synology) | Synology Photos library | Yes | A photo library on a Synology |
| QNAP Qfile Pro / QuMagie | Free (needs a QNAP) | QNAP NAS | Yes, location-triggered | QNAP owners |
| UGREEN NAS app | Free (needs a UGREEN NAS) | UGREEN NAS | Yes | UGREEN owners |
| Immich | Free, open source | Your Immich server | Yes | Self-hosted Google Photos |
| FE File Explorer Pro | About $4.99 once (US) | SMB, WebDAV, FTP, SFTP, cloud | Manual album backup | A full network file manager |
| Owlfiles | Free; Pro by subscription or about $29.99 lifetime (US) | SMB, WebDAV, FTP, SFTP, NFS, S3 | Pro option | A modern multi-protocol file manager |
| Files app | Free, built in | Any SMB share | No | Occasional copies and documents |
1. SMBDrop: originals to any SMB share, one price
Best for: people who used PhotoSync to send photos to a NAS or PC over SMB, and want originals without tiers or a subscription.
SMBDrop does one job: it sends photos, videos and files from your iPhone to an SMB share (Synology, QNAP, TrueNAS, UGREEN, Unraid, Windows or macOS shared folders, or Samba) and imports files back. Originals are always sent untouched: HEIC stays HEIC, videos aren't re-encoded, and Live Photos keep both halves. There are no format settings to get wrong. Sends carry on in the background, interrupted items wait in a retry queue, and Share → SMBDrop works from other apps. No account, no analytics, passwords only in the Keychain. £2.99 once.
Where PhotoSync is still better: it reaches far more destinations (cloud services, FTP, WebDAV, computers via companion apps), has automatic triggers such as arriving home, and runs on iPad and Android. SMBDrop is iPhone-only, SMB-only, and sends what you choose when you choose. You enter your server's address yourself; Find Shares then lists its shares. The full head-to-head is in SMBDrop vs PhotoSync.
2. Synology Photos: free, if you own a Synology
Best for: Synology owners who want backup and a photo library.
Synology's free app backs up your camera roll into Synology Photos on the NAS, with a timeline, albums, people grouping and sharing. It only works with a Synology. See SMBDrop vs Synology Photos and the Synology guide.
3. QNAP Qfile Pro and QuMagie
Best for: QNAP owners.
Qfile Pro's Auto Upload has unusually clear format options: upload HEIC as the original, as JPEG or both, and Live Photos as the photo alone or with the video. Background uploads are triggered by location changes. QuMagie adds a photo library. Both are free and QNAP-only. Setup is in the QNAP guide.
4. The UGREEN NAS app
Best for: UGREEN NASync owners.
UGREEN's free app lists automatic background backup of new photos and videos, Live Photo backup, and remote access through UGREENlink. UGREEN-only. See the UGREEN guide.
5. Immich: self-hosted Google Photos
Best for: people happy to run a server in Docker.
Free and open source, with a timeline, maps, face recognition and search. Its iOS app backs up in the background (when iOS allows) into Immich's own library, never modifying originals. It's a whole platform to run and update, so it's a big step up from a transfer app.
6. FE File Explorer Pro
Best for: people who want a full network file manager that can also back up albums.
A one-off purchase (about $4.99 in the US) covering SMB, WebDAV, FTP, SFTP and cloud services. Photo backup works album by album. I couldn't find documentation on background backup or Live Photo handling, so test those if they matter.
7. Owlfiles
Best for: people who want a modern multi-protocol file manager and don't mind a subscription.
From the makers of FE File Explorer, with SMB, WebDAV, FTP, SFTP, NFS and S3. Photo backup is part of Pro (about $1.99 a month, $12.99 a year or $29.99 lifetime in the US) and can run automatically into year and month folders.
8. The Files app: free and already installed
Best for: the occasional copy.
Connect to Server reaches any SMB share for free. For photos you go through Save to Files each time, the share sheet's format option decides whether you get originals, and Live Photos usually arrive as stills. See SMBDrop vs the Files app.
How to choose
- Originals to an SMB share, no subscription: SMBDrop (or the Files app, if you're happy doing it by hand).
- Automatic backup into your NAS brand's photo library: Synology Photos, Qfile Pro or QuMagie, or the UGREEN app.
- A self-hosted photo platform: Immich.
- A general file manager: FE File Explorer or Owlfiles.
- Cloud plus NAS plus automation in one app: honestly, stay with PhotoSync.
FAQ
What is the best PhotoSync alternative for a NAS?
For sending original files to any SMB share without a subscription, SMBDrop (which I make). For a photo library on a specific NAS, that maker's free app: Synology Photos, QNAP Qfile Pro or QuMagie, or the UGREEN NAS app. For self-hosting, Immich.
How much does PhotoSync cost in the UK?
As of October 2026 on the UK App Store, PhotoSync Pro is a one-off £5.99, and Premium is £0.79 a month, £5.99 a year or £24.99 lifetime. The free version sends reduced-quality copies and converts HEIC and RAW to JPEG.
Is there a free alternative to PhotoSync?
Yes. The Files app can copy to any SMB share, and Synology Photos, QNAP's apps, the UGREEN NAS app and Immich are free if you have the matching server.
How is SMBDrop different from PhotoSync?
SMBDrop is narrower: SMB shares only, iPhone only, originals always, one £2.99 price. You choose what to send and it carries on in the background with a retry queue. If you need cloud destinations or transfers triggered by location or a schedule, PhotoSync Premium or your NAS maker's app does that.
More guides
- SMBDrop vs PhotoSync
- Best ways to back up iPhone photos to a NAS (2026)
- SMBDrop vs Synology Photos
- SMBDrop vs the iPhone Files app
- How to back up iPhone photos to a QNAP NAS
- How to back up iPhone photos to a UGREEN NAS
Try SMBDrop
Send original photos, videos and files from your iPhone straight to your own SMB share. One purchase, no account, no subscription.
£2.99 once · no subscription · iOS 17+