Stingle Photos is a gallery and camera app for backing up and syncing photos and videos across devices using the same account. Files are encrypted locally before being sent to cloud storage, and backups run in the background. The app supports video recording and playback, while albums can be shared with other Stingle users using encrypted album keys. Stingle names XChaCha20 with Poly1305 for file data, X25519 for public-key cryptography, and Argon2 for key derivation; it says sensitive photo and video metadata is encrypted in the file header. The product is open source under GPLv3 and is listed for Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows, as well as API access and self-hosting. The free plan includes 1 GB; paid storage starts at $2.99 per month for 100 GB, with larger monthly and yearly options. Users can host their own API server, with Linux, S3-compatible storage, a domain name, and Git among the prerequisites. The provider cannot recover or change a forgotten password, so users are advised to save the recovery phrase.
Who it is for
Stingle Photos may suit people who want encrypted photo and video backup, cross-device sync, or self-hosting. Users who choose it should be prepared to keep their recovery phrase safe.
What is good
- Encrypts files locally before cloud upload.
- Backs up photos and videos in the background.
- Shared albums use encrypted album keys.
- Open source under GPLv3.
- Free plan includes 1 GB.
What to know first
- Provider cannot recover or change a forgotten password.
- Self-hosting requires Linux, S3-compatible storage, a domain, and Git.
- Faster support is directed through Telegram.
Verdict
Stingle Photos combines photo and video backup with local encryption and shared albums. Keep the recovery phrase safe, since the provider cannot restore or change a forgotten password.
Stingle Photos plans and pricing
All plansCompared on photo storage services
- Free plan
- Yes
- Paid from
- $2.99/mo
- Free storage
- 1 GB
- Original-quality storage
- Yes
- Shared albums
- Yes
- Desktop app
- Yes
- Video backup
- Yes
