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Filamama vs Synology Photos.

Synology Photos is the photo app that comes with DSM, the system on Synology NAS boxes. If you already own a Synology NAS, it's already there.

FeatureFilamamaSynology Photos
PriceFree, no paid tierComes with DSM on a Synology NAS [2]
LicencePublished with the downloadNot checked
Runs onA Mac, a Linux box or a SparkA Synology NAS [2]
Sign-inA Filamama account on your serverYour DSM account [3]
Phone backup appAndroid, with PikturesAndroid and iPhone [2]
Broken uploads resumeAt the exact byteNot checked
Duplicate check before uploadBefore any bytes moveNot checked
Outbound calls by defaultNoneNot checked
Faces and objectsPlannedOn supported models [2, 4]
SharingPlannedLinks with password and expiry [2]
Away from homeHome network only, by designQuickConnect or DDNS [3]
Command linedmsp, JSON answersNot checked

Small numbers are sources, listed at the bottom; Filamama's column comes from its own specification and code (source 1). "Not checked" means we didn't find it in Synology Photos's own docs, pages or code, so we don't claim either way. Checked on 17 October 2026.

Where Filamama is ahead

  • It runs on hardware you choose: a Mac mini, a Linux box or a Spark. Synology Photos needs a Synology NAS.
  • Resumable uploads at the exact byte and a duplicate check before sending are part of Filamama's protocol. We didn't find either documented for Synology Photos.
  • The server makes no outbound calls, and there's no paid tier.

Where Synology Photos is ahead

  • Face and object recognition on supported models. Filamama has people and search as planned features.
  • Sharing links with a password and an expiry date.
  • An iPhone app, and access away from home through QuickConnect or DDNS.
  • If you already own the NAS, there's nothing to set up on another machine.

Switching from Synology Photos

Filamama doesn't run on a Synology NAS yet (see the Synology page), so you'd run it on a Mac mini, a Linux box or a Spark. There's no importer yet: pair your Android phone with Piktures and let it back up what's on the phone.

Sources

  1. Filamama: its own specification and source code (SPEC.md, README, the server and Piktures code).
  2. Synology Photos specifications (DSM 7.3): face and object recognition, sharing with password and expiry, iOS and Android www.synology.com/en-global/dsm/7.3/software_spec/synology_photos
  3. Synology Photos for Android help: sign in with DSM account, IP, DDNS or QuickConnect ID; photo backup kb.synology.com/en-global/DSM/help/SynologyPhotos/Android
  4. Synology: models that support face and object recognition kb.synology.com/en-us/DSM/tutorial/Which_Synology_NAS_models_support_the_facial_recognition_feature_on_Synology_Photos

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