iCloud Shared Albums alternatives
iCloud Shared Albums are free and on every iPhone. Families look further when an Android relative can't join easily, or when they want more than a stream of photos.
Why people switch
- Android relatives
- Apple says relatives can join albums made on iOS 27 or later from a web browser. Albums made earlier only offered a view-only public website. Source
- Older albums shrink your photos
- Albums made before iOS 27 reduce photos to 2048 pixels and video to 720p. New albums keep originals but use your iCloud storage. Source
- Not end-to-end encrypted
- Shared Albums don't support Advanced Data Protection, even if you've turned it on. Source
The options
1. Aanvi(ours)
Best for: Mixed iPhone and Android families who want milestones too.
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. Google Photos
Best for: Free sharing that works the same on every phone.
Google's photo backup, which many parents use with a shared album or partner sharing instead of a dedicated baby app.
- Price
- Free up to 15GB, shared with Gmail and Drive. Paid Google One plans add more.
- Free plan
- Yes, within your 15GB.
- Ads
- No ads in the app. Google says your Photos data is never used for ads unless you connect it to other Google services that show them.
3. FamilyAlbum
Best for: A free album with browser access 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.
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 Android users see an iCloud Shared Album?
- On albums made with iOS 27 or later, Apple says people can join on the web without an Apple Account. Older albums used a public website link instead.
- Do iCloud Shared Albums use my storage?
- Albums made on iOS 27 or later count against the owner's iCloud storage. Older albums and temporary 30-day albums don't.
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Milestones from the CDC checklist, photos stamped with your child's age, and relatives included in your plan.