PiGallery2 vs Shotwell Server
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted photo management options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
PiGallery2
Fast directory-based photo gallery with search and maps
VS
Shotwell Server
Digital photo organizer with tagging and event grouping
| Feature | PiGallery2 | Shotwell Server |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Read-the-docs project |
| Category | Photo Management | Photo Management |
| License | MIT | LGPL-2.1 |
| Language | TypeScript | Vala |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal | bare-metal, binary |
| GitHub stars | ★ 2,283 | ★ 400 |
| First released | 2016 | 2009 |
| Replaces | Google Photos | Google Photos, Apple Photos |
What are PiGallery2 and Shotwell Server?
PiGallery2
PiGallery2 is a fast, directory-driven photo gallery server that does not move or modify your files. It supports faces, geolocation maps, and a powerful search syntax with a lightweight footprint.
- Directory-based galleries
- Geolocation maps
- Powerful search syntax
- Read-only on your files
Shotwell Server
Shotwell is a digital photo organizer that imports, tags, rates, and lightly edits photos, grouping them automatically by event. While desktop-focused, its library folders can be shared and backed up centrally.
- Event-based grouping
- Tagging and ratings
- Basic editing tools
- Direct import from cameras
PiGallery2 vs Shotwell Server: key differences
PiGallery2 is written in TypeScript, while Shotwell Server is built with Vala. Licensing differs — MIT for PiGallery2 versus LGPL-2.1 for Shotwell Server. Shotwell Server is the lighter option, starting around 256 MB of RAM against 512 MB for PiGallery2. Shotwell Server is the more established project (first released 2009), while PiGallery2 arrived in 2016. PiGallery2 has the considerably larger community, at 2,283 GitHub stars versus 400. PiGallery2 lists first-class Docker deployment; Shotwell Server does not.
Why pick each one
Choose PiGallery2 if…
- Does not touch your files
- Runs well on a Raspberry Pi
Watch out for
- No editing features
- Limited multi-user support
Choose Shotwell Server if…
- Fast and stable
- No accounts
Watch out for
- Desktop only
- No web interface
Frequently asked questions
Is PiGallery2 or Shotwell Server better?
Neither is universally better. PiGallery2 has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are PiGallery2 and Shotwell Server free and open-source?
Yes. PiGallery2 is licensed under MIT and Shotwell Server under LGPL-2.1. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run PiGallery2 and Shotwell Server with Docker?
PiGallery2: yes. Shotwell Server: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, PiGallery2 or Shotwell Server?
Shotwell Server has the smaller minimum footprint at 256 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for PiGallery2. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.