Microsoft Photos vs Google Photos: Which One is the Best Photo Backup Service for Windows 10?
In today's digital age, gallery apps have evolved beyond simply showcasing your latest photos and videos. They now offer advanced features like recognition, photo and video editing tools, and social sharing. While Google Photos and Apple Photos have gained popularity, Microsoft Photos is quietly improving its features. If you're torn between Google Photos and Microsoft Photos on Windows 10, this article will compare the two and help you make an informed decision.
Microsoft Photos and Google Photos – A Comprehensive Comparison
Let's dive into a detailed comparison of Microsoft Photos and Google Photos, covering cross-platform availability, user interface, media organization, image editing, video editing, sharing, and pricing.
Cross-Platform Availability
Google Photos takes the lead in cross-platform availability. It is accessible on Android, iOS, and the web, allowing you to access and download media from any device.
On the other hand, Microsoft Photos is primarily available on Windows 10. While it technically exists on mobile platforms, the OneDrive gallery view falls short compared to the Windows version. Hopefully, Microsoft will release a native Microsoft Photos app powered by OneDrive for mobile soon.
User Interface
When it comes to user interface, Microsoft Photos excels. It boasts a modern and visually appealing design, incorporating Windows' fluent design language. The app's iconography is on point, and it caters to both mouse and touch inputs.
In contrast, Google Photos' web version feels like an enlarged version of its mobile app. Apart from a few keyboard shortcuts, it doesn't utilize the big screen effectively.
Media Organization
Both Microsoft Photos and Google Photos offer standard media organization features. They allow you to view photos and videos in different layouts and create albums from selected photos.
However, Microsoft Photos outshines Google Photos in terms of options. It enables you to create videos with songs, animations, 3D effects, and more. Surprisingly, Google Photos offers the option to create movies on mobile but not on the desktop.
Image Editing
Both Google Photos and Microsoft Photos provide basic image editing tools. While they won't win any awards, they get the job done.
Microsoft Photos offers a range of filters, image adjustments (contrast, saturation, etc.), and a crop tool for final adjustments.
Google Photos offers similar features but includes an auto mode for image adjustments without manual input. However, some users may find it overly brightens images unnecessarily.
Video Editing
This is where Microsoft Photos surprises us. It comes with a powerful built-in video editor. You can trim videos, add music, incorporate animations, insert text, and more using an intuitive user interface. It's more than sufficient for casual video editing needs.
Google Photos' video editor on the web is average, with basic trimming and music options. Microsoft Photos takes the lead in this category.
Sharing
Google's expertise shines in the sharing department. With Google Photos, you can easily share photos by adding the recipient's Google ID. The Sharing tab allows you to view previous shares and even chat with recipients.
Partner Sharing is another standout feature, enabling you to view your partner's Google account from your own. This is perfect for couples who frequently share photos.
On the other hand, Microsoft Photos only allows you to select photos or albums and create a sharable link.
Pricing
Google Photos offers free 15GB of storage, which is shared across Google Drive and Gmail. Beyond that, you can opt for paid plans starting at $1.99 per month for 100GB, with options going up to 2TB of storage.
Microsoft provides only 5GB of OneDrive storage. However, you can start using the Microsoft Photos app without relying on OneDrive for photos. You can easily import photos from your computer to begin editing and sharing.
Wrapping Up: Making the Choice
The choice between Google Photos and Microsoft Photos boils down to the ecosystem and social sharing. Microsoft Photos has a native app for Windows 10, a robust video editor, and seamless OneDrive integration. On the other hand, Google Photos offers superior social sharing features and native mobile apps.
Consider your needs and preferences when making a decision. Both platforms have their strengths, so choose the one that aligns with your requirements.

Jim's passion for Apple products ignited in 2007 when Steve Jobs introduced the first iPhone. This was a canon event in his life. Noticing a lack of iPad-focused content that is easy to understand even for “tech-noob”, he decided to create Tabletmonkeys in 2011.
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