Hydrus Network vs Immich
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted photo management options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Not the right match-up?
Hydrus Network
Self-hosted tag-based media organizer and image database
VS
Immich
High-performance self-hosted photo and video backup
| Feature | Hydrus Network | Immich |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Photo Management | Photo Management |
| License | WTFPL | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | Python | TypeScript |
| Setup difficulty | Hard | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 1,024 MB | 2,048 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal, binary, source | docker |
| GitHub stars | ★ 3,148 | ★ 109,945 |
| First released | 2011 | 2022 |
| Replaces | Google Photos, Eagle | Google Photos, iCloud Photos |
Why pick each one
Frequently asked questions
Is Hydrus Network or Immich better?
Immich is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler medium setup. Consider Hydrus Network if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Hydrus Network and Immich free and open-source?
Yes. Hydrus Network is licensed under WTFPL and Immich under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Hydrus Network and Immich with Docker?
Hydrus Network: check the project docs for container support. Immich: yes.