Google Photos alternatives
A shared Google Photos album is the default for a lot of families because it's already there. It gets awkward when you notice the link can be forwarded, or that nothing in it knows your child's age.
Why people switch
- Links travel
- Anyone with the album link can view it, and with Collaborate on they can add photos too. Removing a person doesn't stop someone who still has the link. Source
- Anyone with access can invite more people
- You can't stop a collaborator from adding others; you can only make the album private again. Source
- Built for backup, not a baby book
- No milestones, notes or age stamps. Your child's photos sit in the same library as receipts and screenshots.
The options
1. Aanvi(ours)
Best for: An invite-only album with milestones and age stamps.
A private baby book app built around milestones: photos, videos and the things your child says, each stamped with their exact age and shared only with family you invite.
- Price
- $6.99 a month or $49.99 a year. One subscription covers every relative you invite.
- Free plan
- No free plan. 14-day free trial through the App Store or Google Play, which asks for a payment method.
- Ads
- None, on any plan.
2. FamilyAlbum
Best for: A free invite-only album for relatives.
A free, ad-supported family photo album from MIXI in Tokyo, with unlimited storage and cheap prints. Paid plans remove third-party ads and add longer videos.
- Price
- Premium Family is $5.99 a month or $59 a year. Family Pro is $10.99 a month or $109 a year.
- Free plan
- Yes, with unlimited photos and videos.
- Ads
- The free version shows third-party ads that can't be hidden. Premium removes them; FamilyAlbum's own banners stay.
3. iCloud Shared Albums
Best for: Apple families who want something built in.
The Shared Albums feature in Apple's Photos app. Free, built into every iPhone, and how a lot of grandparents already get their baby photos.
- Price
- Free. Albums made on iOS 27 or later count against the owner's iCloud storage: 5GB free, then from $0.99 a month for 50GB.
- Free plan
- Yes. Albums made before iOS 27 don't use your storage at all.
- Ads
- No ads in the Photos app.
We make Aanvi, so weigh that when you read this. Everything about the other apps comes from their own websites, help centers, privacy policies and app store listings, checked on November 1, 2026, with US prices. Each fact links to its source. If something has changed, email support@aanvi.app and we'll correct it.
Common Questions
- Can anyone see my Google Photos shared album?
- Anyone with the link can see it, whether or not they have a Google account. You can turn off link sharing, but then only people with Google accounts you've invited can open it.
- Can I import my Google Photos into a baby app?
- Aanvi imports from Google Photos directly. For other apps, download your photos with Google Takeout first.
No ads, no data selling
Try Aanvi free for 14 days
Milestones from the CDC checklist, photos stamped with your child's age, and relatives included in your plan.