Bombajom Photos vs Synology Photos
Love your Synology? You don't have to be locked in.
Synology Photos is a solid app. It's free, it's integrated, and it works well on Synology hardware. But it comes with a fundamental limitation: it only works on Synology.
If you ever upgrade to a QNAP, TrueNAS, or any other NAS, your entire photo workflow breaks. Bombajom Photos works with any NAS brand, so your photo backup survives any hardware change.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Synology Photos | Bombajom Photos |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free (bundled with DSM) | $4.17/mo annual (7-day free trial) |
| NAS compatibility | Synology only | Any storage device: Synology, QNAP, TrueNAS, Nextcloud, or any device with standard file sharing |
| Vendor lock-in | Severe: tied to Synology hardware | None: switch NAS brands freely |
| Mobile app quality | Good (native) | Excellent (native Flutter, 60fps) |
| Background sync reliability | Fair (iOS limitations) | Excellent (platform-native APIs, foreground service on Android) |
| Setup | Install from DSM Package Center | Install app, discover NAS on network |
| AI features | Face recognition, object detection (on NAS CPU) | On-device labeling + optional CLIP search |
| Shared albums | Yes | Yes (role-based access, public share links) |
| External drive support | No (NAS only) | Yes: USB drives, shared folders, NAS |
| Offline access | Limited | Full gallery on local network |
When Synology Photos is the better choice
- You own a Synology NAS and never plan to switch brands
- You want a completely free solution included with your NAS
- You want a web interface with face recognition and deep management tools (Bombajom's desktop app now includes a web dashboard for browsing photos, videos, and albums on your home network)
- You use other Synology-specific features that integrate with Photos
When Bombajom Photos is the better choice
- You might switch NAS brands someday (or already use multiple)
- You want reliable background sync, especially on iOS
- You also have non-NAS storage (USB drives, shared PC folders)
- You want family members on different NAS brands or external drives to use one app
- You want a native mobile-first experience over a web-first one
The Vendor Lock-In Problem
Synology makes great hardware. But tying your photo workflow to one brand creates real risks:
- Hardware lifecycle: when your Synology reaches end-of-life, you're pressured to buy another Synology just to keep Photos working
- Price increases: Synology has been moving upmarket; their recent models are significantly more expensive
- Feature changes: Synology removed features from Moments when they launched Photos; they control the roadmap
- Multi-location setups: if you have a NAS at home and one at a family member's house (different brand), Synology Photos can't span both
Bombajom uses standard protocols (SMB, WebDAV) that work with every NAS brand. Your workflow doesn't change even if your hardware does.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use both Synology Photos and Bombajom?
Yes. They can coexist on the same Synology NAS. Bombajom syncs your phone's camera roll to a folder on the NAS via SMB. Synology Photos indexes from its own directory. They don't conflict.
I already have years of photos in Synology Photos. Can I switch?
Your photos are already on the Synology as files. Point Bombajom at the same shared folder (or a new one) and your existing photos are immediately accessible. New photos from your phone will sync to whatever folder you configure.
Why pay when Synology Photos is free?
Synology Photos is "free" because you already paid for the NAS. But it locks you into Synology forever. Bombajom's $4.17/mo buys you hardware freedom: the ability to switch NAS brands without rebuilding your photo workflow.