Want Immich-style privacy without running a server?

CachePix is an Immich alternative that keeps your photos, previews and catalog on your own computer and phone, with fewer features and a CachePix account for sign-in and billing. Immich is free and open source, with facial recognition and phone backup, and runs on a server you host. CachePix is a paid desktop app for Mac and Windows that syncs a searchable catalog to your phone, with no server for you to install or run.

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The short version

Immich is free, open source and actively developed, with stable releases since October 2025. It doesn't upload your photos to its developer's cloud; they stay on the server you run. Its phone apps automatically back up your photos and videos to your own server, which adds facial recognition and natural-language search. As of October 2026, Immich's docs list Docker plus at least 6 GB of RAM and 2 CPU cores for that server.

CachePix is a photo catalog app for Mac and Windows. It catalogs the photos on your drives, then syncs a searchable catalog to free iPhone and Android companion apps, so you can browse your archive with the drives unplugged. Your photos never go to the cloud.

The trade-off is real. CachePix does less, and it isn't free. If you need facial recognition, AI search, video or phone backup more than you want to skip the server, pick Immich.

CachePix vs Immich side by side

Immich cells were checked October 6, 2026, against the sources in the caption. CachePix cells describe desktop 0.2.1 and the iOS and Android 1.1.0 apps.

Immich details per immich.app, docs.immich.app, buy.immich.app, its GitHub source code and its app store listings, as of October 2026
FeatureCachePixImmich
Native desktop appYes: Mac with Apple silicon on macOS 12 or later, and 64-bit Windows (x64)No. You use Immich's web app in a browser, served by the Immich server you run
Server to runNone for you to install or runRequired. Its docs list Docker plus at least 6 GB of RAM and 2 CPU cores (8 GB and 4 cores recommended)
Phone appsYes: iOS 18 or later and Android 9 or later. Free downloads; a CachePix plan is requiredYes: free iPhone and Android apps, plus F-Droid. The iPhone app needs iOS 15.0 or later, per its App Store listing
Phone backupNo. CachePix is a catalog, not a backupYes, automatically, to your own Immich server
Photos already on your drivesChoose Catalog a Folder… and pick a folder or a drive: internal, external or removableExternal Libraries. Per Immich's docs, an administrator sets each one up, and the folders must be mounted into the server's Docker container
Facial recognitionNo. People names come from metadata in your files, or names you type in CachePixYes. It groups faces into people you can name and search, on your own server
SearchMetadata text. On the computer: filename, people, keywords, caption, headline, title, city, state, sublocation, creator, event and categories. On the phone: filename, people, keywords and captionAI-powered natural-language search (for example, "dog on a beach") and text inside photos (OCR). Per its FAQ, it creates no visible tags
Photo editingNo. CachePix doesn't edit pixels. Cataloging never modifies, moves, renames or deletes your files. CachePix writes metadata only when you edit it, and only the fields you changed, as standard XMP in the file or in a sidecar next to RAW filesYes: non-destructive crop, rotate and mirror
Photo formatsJPEG, PNG, WebP and 15 RAW formats. HEIC and TIFF are cataloged and searchable, with no preview yetSupports RAW. Its source code recognizes common formats, including Canon CR2/CR3, Sony ARW, Nikon NEF, Fujifilm RAF and DNG
VideoNoYes, with transcoded copies for smooth playback
Where your photos liveYour photos, previews and catalog never leave your own computer and phone. CachePix's only online service is your account: email sign-in, the plan check, and Stripe billing in your browserOn the server you run. Its privacy policy says the company has no access to them
Open sourceNoYes, under the GNU AGPL v3
Price$4.99 a month or $29.99 a year after a 14-day free trial, or $99 once for LifetimeFree. Optional one-time supporter keys cost $25 for a single user and $100 for a whole server (the Family key), per buy.immich.app. You provide the hardware

What CachePix doesn't do. No facial recognition, AI search, video, photo editing or phone backup, and on Mac it needs Apple silicon. If you need any of those, see all comparisons.

Immich on Windows, and an Immich alternative for Windows

Immich's server runs in Docker, and it can run on a Windows PC through Docker Desktop. As of October 2026, though, Immich's install docs recommend Linux and say Windows and macOS hosts (run through Docker Desktop) are "strongly discouraged". Per Immich's download page, the server installs with Docker Compose or Kubernetes, and community guides cover NAS platforms such as unRaid and TrueNAS SCALE.

Want an Immich alternative for Windows without Docker Desktop? As of October 2026, Immich has no native desktop app, so on a PC you use its web app in a browser. CachePix runs on 64-bit Windows (x64) as a regular desktop app. Download CachePix for Windows or an Apple silicon Mac.

Immich vs PhotoPrism vs no server for you to run

Also looking at PhotoPrism? Here's how the three line up on setup.

Immich and PhotoPrism details per their official docs and sites, as of October 2026
QuestionImmichPhotoPrismCachePix
Needs a server?Yes: at least 6 GB of RAM and 2 CPU cores, per its docsYes: one you run (at least 2 CPU cores and 3 GB of RAM recommended), or paid managed hosting from its partner PikaPodsNo server for you to install or run
Desktop app?No: a web app in your browserNo: it runs in your browser, and you can add its web app (PWA) to your desktopYes: Mac and Windows
Its own phone app?Yes: iPhone and AndroidNo app in the App Store or Google Play. You use its web app (PWA), and third-party apps such as PhotoSync can upload to your serverYes: iPhone and Android, plan required
Facial recognition?YesYes, in all editionsNo
Free and open source?Yes, under the GNU AGPL v3Yes: the Community Edition is free to self-host and open source under the AGPL. Its standard Docker image and member features use PhotoPrism's separate Plus LicenseNo: paid, with a 14-day free trial on Monthly and Annual

Want PhotoPrism in more detail? See CachePix vs PhotoPrism.

When Immich is the better pick

If one of these is why you're shopping, choose Immich.

  • Phone backup. Immich's phone apps automatically back up photos and videos to your own Immich server. CachePix doesn't read your camera roll.
  • Facial recognition. It groups faces into people you can name and search.
  • AI search. Natural-language search (for example, "dog on a beach") that runs on your own server, plus search for text inside photos (OCR).
  • One library across your devices. Your other devices view the library through your own Immich server.
  • Video and basic edits. It plays videos, and it can crop, rotate and mirror without changing the original file.
  • Free and open source. All features are included, and its developers say no features will ever be paywalled. Your cost is the hardware you run it on.
  • A home server or NAS you already run. That's where Immich usually lives, installed with Docker, and its docs recommend Linux.

When CachePix is the better Immich alternative

CachePix suits a family archive that already lives on external drives, when you want it on your phone without a server in the house to look after.

  • Nothing to host. Looking for Immich without Docker? CachePix installs like any desktop app: no Docker, no container, no mounted folders, no admin step.
  • Drives cataloged where they sit. Choose Catalog a Folder… and pick a folder or a drive. CachePix samples about 24 photos first and estimates the preview store's size.
  • Drives can stay in the drawer. Browse and search your catalog with the drives unplugged and the computer at home. CachePix checks your plan online at least once every 14 days. Full-size originals stay on your drives; the phone carries thumbnails and HD previews.
  • An Immich alternative for iOS and Android. The free CachePix phone apps need a CachePix plan. They show the catalog your computer builds and don't back up your camera roll.
  • The metadata you already wrote. It reads IPTC and XMP from Photo Mechanic or Lightroom, including sidecars next to RAW files. Words combine, so "Ana beach" finds photos that match both.
  • No facial recognition, by design. For people who'd rather their photo app didn't scan faces.
  • A one-time option. Lifetime is $99. Pay once. No renewals. Compare plans on CachePix pricing.

On the library we measured, 190,566 photos (885.66 GB) in two folders on one external drive, the thumbnails took 8.03 GB on an iPhone. The method is in how much space it uses on your phone.

Not a backup. CachePix is a catalog, not a backup. It makes your archive findable. It doesn't make a second copy, so keep backing up your drives.

Common questions

Does Immich run on Windows?

Yes, its server can, through Docker Desktop. As of October 2026, though, Immich's install docs recommend Linux and say Windows hosts are "strongly discouraged", and Immich has no native desktop app, so on a PC you use its web app in a browser. CachePix installs as a native app on 64-bit Windows.

Can I use Immich without a server?

No. Immich's apps need an Immich server that you run yourself, usually installed with Docker on a home server, NAS or always-on computer, and its app listings say you "will need to run/manage the server on your own". CachePix is a desktop app for Mac and Windows, and there's no server for you to install or run.

Is Immich free?

Yes. Immich is free and open source, with all features included; you supply the hardware. As of October 2026, optional supporter keys cost $25 for a single user and $100 for a whole server (the Family key), per buy.immich.app. CachePix is $4.99 a month or $29.99 a year after a 14-day free trial (card required), or $99 once for Lifetime.

Does CachePix back up my phone like Immich does?

No. CachePix is a catalog, not a backup, and the phone app doesn't read your camera roll. Immich's phone apps automatically back up photos and videos to your own Immich server. CachePix works the other way: the catalog syncs one way, from your computer to your phone, over your local network. Keep backing up your drives.

Immich or PhotoPrism: which needs less setup?

Both need a server; PhotoPrism lists lower hardware needs. As of October 2026, it recommends at least 2 CPU cores and 3 GB of RAM to self-host, while Immich's docs list at least 6 GB of RAM and 2 cores. PhotoPrism also offers paid managed hosting through its partner PikaPods. CachePix has no server for you to install or run.

Keep reading

See all comparisons, or the FAQ on do I need a server.

Last checked . Immich is actively developed, so check its site before you decide.

Sources

Immich and PhotoPrism official pages first, then the independent coverage behind the facts on this page. XDA Developers, How-To Geek, Android Police and MakeUseOf share a parent company (Valnet).

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  2. Immich install requirements. Immich documentation (official). Checked October 6, 2026.
  3. Immich External Libraries. Immich documentation (official). Checked October 6, 2026.
  4. Immich mobile backup. Immich documentation (official). Checked October 6, 2026.
  5. Immich facial recognition. Immich documentation (official). Checked October 6, 2026.
  6. Immich searching. Immich documentation (official). Checked October 6, 2026.
  7. Immich editing. Immich documentation (official). Checked October 6, 2026.
  8. Immich FAQ. Immich documentation (official). Checked October 6, 2026.
  9. Support the project. Immich documentation (official). Checked October 6, 2026.
  10. Immich purchase page. Immich (official site). Checked October 6, 2026.
  11. Immich privacy policy. Immich (official site). Checked October 6, 2026.
  12. Immich roadmap. Immich (official site). Checked October 6, 2026.
  13. Immich supported file types (source code). Immich official repository on GitHub. Checked October 6, 2026.
  14. Immich on the App Store. App Store listing (official). Checked October 6, 2026.
  15. Immich on Google Play. Google Play listing (official). Checked October 6, 2026.
  16. PhotoPrism setup. PhotoPrism documentation (official). Checked October 6, 2026.
  17. PhotoPrism mobile app (PWA). PhotoPrism documentation (official). Checked October 6, 2026.
  18. PhotoPrism features. PhotoPrism (official site). Checked October 6, 2026.
  19. PhotoPrism membership FAQ. PhotoPrism (official site). Checked October 6, 2026.
  20. PhotoPrism open source FAQ. PhotoPrism (official site). Checked October 6, 2026.
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  32. I self-hosted my own Google Photos replacement, and it's better than what I was paying for. XDA Developers, March 17, 2026.
  33. I mounted my Immich library in Finder, and now I never open the web app. XDA Developers, July 16, 2026.
  34. I used an old graphics card to add AI features to my Immich server, and it's now smarter than Google Photos. XDA Developers, July 16, 2026.
  35. Immich 3.0 finally let me delete the Google Photos app for good. XDA Developers, July 22, 2026.
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  37. I ditched Google One for self-hosted Immich on a mini PC, and photo backup is finally instant. XDA Developers, September 25, 2026.
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  39. PhotoPrism. heise download (heise online), record last updated May 26, 2026.
  40. PhotoPrism AI-Powered Photos App Gets Better Face Detection. Linuxiac (Bobby Borisov), September 24, 2026.
  41. What Is PhotoPrism? How to Use the AI-Powered Photo App. MakeUseOf (Danny Maiorca), March 8, 2024.
  42. This self-hosted app sorted my messy photo library in minutes. MakeUseOf (Jayric Maning), November 9, 2025.
  43. How I built a Google Photos alternative on my NAS with PhotoPrism. XDA Developers (Adam Conway), April 11, 2024.
  44. I finally replaced Synology Photos with PhotoPrism for these 4 major frustrations. XDA Developers (Chandraveer Mathur), November 21, 2025.
  45. I ditched Google Photos for self-hosting and discovered 5 hidden costs nobody mentions. How-To Geek (Jorge A. Aguilar), April 14, 2026.

No server for you to run. Your archive on your phone.

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