Old PC vs NAS for a Photo Server

A common question is whether you need to buy a Synology or QNAP to get a reliable photo server. The short answer: no.

An old PC with Docker can be just as capable — often more powerful. All you need is a place to plug in storage (/srv/share) and a network connection. With Docker, you can run Immich, LibrePhotos, PhotoPrism, or even Nextcloud with just a few commands.

NAS boxes shine when you want plug-and-play convenience, polished UIs, and built-in support. But you give up flexibility and the learning opportunity of building it yourself. A regular PC, even an old one, usually has better hardware than an entry-level NAS.

So the real trade-off isn’t power — it’s whether you want to buy a turnkey solution or repurpose what you already have. For most home labs and families, the old PC is the smarter starting point.

I would add — old PCs often come with old graphics cards. And when they do, it’s bonus upon bonus. There’s far too much perfectly good processing power sitting idle in closets, waiting to be put to work again.

Key Terms

NAS
Network Attached Storage: a dedicated device for file sharing and backups, often with bundled apps for photos and media.
Takeaway: buy one if you want zero setup, skip it if you enjoy tinkering.

Docker
A tool that packages software into lightweight containers, making apps easy to run consistently across different systems.
Takeaway: learn Docker once and you unlock most self-hosted projects.

Synology & QNAP
Two leading NAS vendors. They sell the hardware and bundle their own photo management apps for a plug-and-play experience.
Takeaway: convenience wins, but flexibility is limited.

Immich, LibrePhotos, PhotoPrism, Nextcloud
Popular open-source photo servers you can run with Docker. All provide automatic backups, browsing, and sharing — with different strengths and features. It should be mentioned that Nextcloud has a broader scope offering collaboration tools like calendering, contacts, kanban, and much more.
Takeaway: pick one and try it — switching later is easier than you think.