Google Photos review

What Google Photos is

Google Photos stores, organizes and edits your photos and videos. It runs on Android, iPhone and the web at photos.google.com, and every Google account comes with 15 GB of free storage shared with Gmail and Drive Google Photos ↗. Editing features are only available in the Google Photos app, not the web version Google Photos ↗.

Since May 2024, Google has made many AI editing tools free for everyone who uses Google Photos, with no subscription required Google blog ↗. That includes Magic Eraser, which removes unwanted objects, Photo Unblur, which sharpens blurry shots, and Portrait light, which changes the position and brightness of light on faces Google blog ↗.

Magic Editor goes further. It can move or resize a subject and change a gray sky to blue Google blog ↗. Google also now lists conversational editing, where you describe the edit you want in plain language and it is applied; it is available to eligible US users aged 18 and over Google Photos ↗.

What it does well

It is free and already there. If your business photos come from a phone, you may not need to install anything new Google Photos ↗. The core AI tools cost nothing Google blog ↗.

The tools cover the fixes owners need most. Magic Eraser can remove a stray cup from a shop photo or a passerby from a storefront shot Google blog ↗. Photo Unblur can rescue a shaky photo of a finished job Google blog ↗. Portrait light helps staff headshots taken in poor lighting Google blog ↗.

It works on both major phone platforms. Google says the tools work on Android 8 or later and iOS 15 or later with at least 3 GB of RAM, and on Chromebook Plus laptops Google blog ↗.

Finding photos is easy. Google Photos uses AI search to find shots by place, theme, people, pets and things, and it sorts screenshots, receipts and notes into albums automatically Google Photos ↗. A Create tab can turn selfies into different styles, turn action shots into video and make collages Google Photos ↗.

Where it falls short

Magic Editor is capped. Android and iOS users get 10 Magic Editor saves a month Google blog ↗. Unlimited use needs a Pixel phone or a Google One Premium plan with 2 TB or more of storage Google blog ↗.

It is not a full editor. Zapier left Google Photos off its list of the best AI photo editors, calling it too limited to count as a standalone AI editor and saying its AI tools do not integrate well with the rest of the editing tools Zapier ↗. There are no layers, templates or text design tools.

Device and region limits apply. Magic Editor does not work on devices below the minimum system requirements, and feature availability varies by device Google blog ↗. Conversational editing is limited to eligible US users Google Photos ↗.

Free storage fills up. The 15 GB is shared with Gmail and Drive, and photos backed up in original quality count against it Google Photos ↗. Hands on testing is in progress; we will update this review with results.

Pricing and plans

Google Photos is free. Every Google account gets 15 GB of storage shared across Photos, Gmail and Drive Google Photos ↗. Magic Eraser, Photo Unblur and Portrait light are free with no subscription Google blog ↗.

The free limit to watch is Magic Editor: 10 saves a month on Android and iOS Google blog ↗. To lift it, you need a Pixel device or a Google One Premium plan of 2 TB or more Google blog ↗. Google says paid Google One plans add more storage, premium AI editing tools and family backup, but its pages did not list prices in the text we could read Google Photos ↗. Check current Google One prices before you upgrade for editing alone.

There is no trial to manage, since the core tools are free.

Who should (and shouldn't) use it

• Good fit: owners who take business photos on a phone and need quick cleanups Google blog ↗.
• Good fit: anyone who already backs up photos to Google and wants free AI fixes in the same app Google Photos ↗.
• Skip it if: you need many Magic Editor edits a month without a Pixel or 2 TB plan Google blog ↗.
• Skip it if: you design social graphics or ads with text and templates Zapier ↗.
• Skip it if: you edit product photos in batches on a clean background Photoroom pricing ↗.

Alternatives worth a look

• Adobe Express: our top free pick, with free background removal and object insert or removal on a daily allowance Adobe Express pricing ↗.
• Canva: a full design tool with up to 20 AI uses a month on its free plan Canva pricing ↗.
• Photoroom: built for product photos, with 50 free exports a month and batch tools Photoroom pricing ↗.
• Pixlr: a browser based editor with layers and AI tools; Zapier lists Plus from $2.49 a month Zapier ↗.