Ente Photos
8.6#1 in photo management softwareFrom $2.49 a monthFree planAndroidiOSWebLinux
VisitEnte Photos vs Hex Citadel
Hex Citadel
6.2#29 in secure cloud storageFree planFree planWebAPImacOSSelf-hosted
VisitWhat both publish
| Fact | Ente Photos | Hex Citadel |
|---|---|---|
| Encryption | Photos and metadata are encrypted on the user's device before upload, and Ente says it cannot view them. | Files are encrypted on the client with AES-256-GCM before upload, and the site describes a zero-knowledge server architecture. |
| Self-hosting | The server and apps can be self-hosted with Docker; the quickstart runs API, web, PostgreSQL and MinIO services. | Citadel supports Docker Compose deployment with S3-compatible storage and PostgreSQL 16. |
Ente Photos plans
- FreeFree
- Starter$2.49 a month
- Popular$4.99 a month
- Pro$9.99 a month
- Pro+$19.99 a month
Hex Citadel plans
- Self-HostedFree
- HostedPriced on request
Pick Ente Photos if…
It suits people who want encrypted photo backup across Android, iOS, desktop, and web, with search, sharing, and import options. Family storage sharing is available to paid subscribers.
Pick Hex Citadel if…
It suits users wanting open-source, self-hosted file synchronization with client-side encryption and control over storage infrastructure.