Bombajom Photos vs Immich
Same goal, different approach.
Immich is an impressive open-source project that's become the go-to alternative to Google Photos for tech-savvy users. If you're comfortable with technical server setup, it's excellent. But not everyone wants to manage that complexity for their photo backups.
Bombajom Photos takes a different approach: install a native app, point it at your NAS, done.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Immich | Bombajom Photos |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free (open source, AGPL) | $4.17/mo annual (7-day free trial) |
| Setup requirements | Docker, CLI, reverse proxy recommended | Install app, connect to NAS (no Docker) |
| Setup time | 30-60 minutes (experienced), hours (beginners) | 5 minutes |
| NAS compatibility | Any (via Docker on NAS or separate server) | Any storage device. No technical setup needed |
| Mobile app | Native (Flutter) | Native (Flutter) |
| Background sync | Good | Excellent (platform-native APIs) |
| AI/ML features | Face recognition, CLIP search, object detection | On-device labeling + optional CLIP search |
| Web interface | Full-featured (built-in) | Dashboard with gallery, albums, search |
| Storage format | Proprietary database + blob storage | Standard files and folders on your NAS |
| Updates | docker compose pull (may require migrations) | App store auto-update |
| Maintenance | Container management, DB backups, logs | None. It's a mobile app |
When Immich is the better choice
Immich is a fantastic project. It's better if you:
- Want a completely free, open-source solution
- Are comfortable managing Docker containers and databases
- Want the most advanced AI/ML features (face clustering, object detection)
- Want a web interface with ML search and face recognition built in (Bombajom's desktop app now includes a web dashboard for browsing photos, videos, and albums on your home network)
- Enjoy self-hosting and tinkering with infrastructure
When Bombajom Photos is the better choice
- You (or your family) don't want to deal with Docker or command lines
- You want a NAS photo backup that "just works" like Google Photos did
- Your NAS can't run Docker (older Synology, basic QNAP, TrueNAS without apps)
- You prefer photos stored as standard files/folders, not in a database
- You want app store updates instead of managing container versions
- You're setting this up for family members who aren't technical
The "Docker Tax"
Docker is powerful, but it adds complexity that many NAS owners don't want:
- CPU/RAM overhead: Immich's containers (server, microservices, ML, Redis, Postgres) use 2-4 GB RAM idle
- Update risk: breaking changes between versions require manual intervention
- Networking complexity: reverse proxy setup for HTTPS access
- Storage migration: moving to a new NAS means migrating the entire Docker stack and database
Bombajom avoids all of this. The companion server is optional, and the core backup functionality runs entirely from the mobile app connecting directly to your NAS via SMB or WebDAV.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I pay for Bombajom when Immich is free?
You're paying for simplicity, polish, and a native mobile-first experience. If you value your time and want something that sets up in 5 minutes with zero maintenance, the $4.17/mo is worth it. If you enjoy self-hosting and don't mind Docker, Immich is excellent and free.
Can I switch from Immich to Bombajom?
Yes. Export your photos from Immich (they're stored as files in the upload directory), copy them to your NAS, and Bombajom will sync with them. Your metadata (albums, favorites) won't transfer automatically.
Does Bombajom's companion server also need Docker?
On Windows and macOS, the companion server runs as a native binary. No Docker needed. On Linux, Docker is the recommended setup. But the companion server is optional. The core backup works without it.