Bombajom Photos vs Google Photos
Keep the experience. Ditch the data mining.
Google Photos is the default for billions of users, and for good reason. The AI features are incredible, the interface is polished, and it just works. But there's a cost beyond the monthly subscription: your photos train Google's AI models, your data lives on Google's servers, and you're locked into their ecosystem.
Bombajom Photos offers a different deal: the same automatic backup experience, but your photos stay on your own hardware.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Google Photos | Bombajom Photos |
|---|---|---|
| Photo storage location | Google Cloud servers | Your NAS or external drive |
| Used for AI training | Yes (per ToS) | Never. Photos don't leave your network |
| Background sync | Excellent | Excellent (native iOS/Android) |
| Photo search | AI-powered (cloud) | On-device AI + optional CLIP semantic search |
| Shared albums | Yes | Yes (role-based: owner/editor/viewer) |
| Works offline | Limited (cached only) | Full gallery access on local network |
| Storage limit | 15 GB free, then $1.99-9.99/mo | Unlimited. Use your own hardware |
| Vendor lock-in | High (Google ecosystem) | None. Standard files on your NAS |
| Monthly cost (2TB) | $9.99/mo (Google One) | $4.17/mo (annual, storage you already own) |
| Encryption | Google-managed keys | AES-256, your keys only |
| Cloud import | N/A (you're already there) | Built-in import from Google Photos, OneDrive, Dropbox, Flickr |
The Real Cost Over 5 Years
Most families hit 200 GB-2 TB within a few years. Here's what that looks like:
| Scenario | Google One | Bombajom + Your NAS |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $120 (2TB plan) | $40 (annual Pro) |
| 5-year total | $600 | $200 (or $120 lifetime) |
| Family (5-year) | $600-1,200 (multiple accounts) | $400 (or $200 lifetime) |
Note: NAS hardware is a one-time cost you may already own. A basic 2-bay NAS starts at ~$150.
When Google Photos is the better choice
We believe in being honest. Google Photos is better if you:
- Don't own (or want to own) a NAS or external drive
- Need access from anywhere without setting up remote access
- Want Google's AI features (Magic Eraser, photo editing, etc.)
- Don't mind your photos being used for AI training
When Bombajom Photos is the better choice
- You already own a NAS, external drive, or home server
- You want your photos to stay on your network, period
- You're tired of paying $10+/month for cloud storage
- You want to switch storage hardware without losing your workflow
- You care about GDPR compliance and data sovereignty
Migrate from Google Photos
Bombajom has a built-in Google Photos import feature. Connect your Google account directly from the app, browse your albums, and import everything to your NAS. No manual export needed. The import engine handles Google Photos, OneDrive, Dropbox, and Flickr, all from the same interface.
Prefer a manual approach? You can also use Google Takeout to export your library, copy the files to your NAS, and Bombajom will sync with them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Bombajom and Google Photos together?
Yes. Many users run both during a transition period. Bombajom syncs your phone's camera roll to your NAS. It doesn't interfere with Google Photos syncing to the cloud. When you're ready, use the built-in Google Photos import to pull your entire library directly to your NAS.
Is Bombajom as easy to set up as Google Photos?
Google Photos requires zero setup. It's built into Android. Bombajom requires a one-time 5-minute setup to connect to your NAS. After that, it syncs automatically in the background just like Google Photos.
What about Google's AI search features?
Bombajom includes on-device AI labeling (via Google ML Kit) for basic photo search, plus optional CLIP-powered semantic search on the companion server. It won't match Google's cloud AI, but it covers most use cases, and both the labeling and the search run on hardware you own rather than in our cloud.