Both are open-source and privacy-focused, but with different architectures: Immich is a self-hosted server, Lap is a local desktop app.
| Dimension | Lap | Immich |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud | No | No (self-hosted) |
| Local | Yes, desktop | Yes, on your server |
| Privacy | No account | Self-hosted |
| AI Search | Local AI | Server-side AI |
| RAW | Yes, 24 formats | Yes |
| Video | Yes | Yes |
| Offline | Fully offline | Needs server reachable |
| Open Source | Yes, GPL-3.0 | Yes, AGPL-3.0 |
| Price | Free | Free (self-hosted) |
| Platform | macOS / Windows / Linux desktop | Server + mobile apps |
Choose Immich if you want self-hosted cloud-like sync with mobile apps and are comfortable running a server. Choose Lap if you want a simple, local desktop app with zero infrastructure.
No. Immich is self-hosted and needs a server you maintain; Lap is a desktop app that opens folders on your own machine.
Immich, clearly — it has mobile apps and background upload. Lap is desktop-focused and better suited to organising an archive on a computer.
Both are free and open source. Immich needs hardware and hosting; Lap runs on the computer you already own.
Yes. Some people self-host Immich for phone uploads and keep Lap on the desktop for culling, duplicates and local search.
Lap