What did Nixplay change?

Nixplay cut free cloud from 10 GB to 500 MB and moved Google Photos sync into a Plus plan that costs about $30 a year.

Did old buyers lose features?

Yes. Users who bought a Nixplay before the change lost free Google Photos sync and most of their free cloud storage.

Most jumped to Aura for unlimited free cloud, or Skylight for email sharing. A few went to Pix-Star or Frameo for one-time pay frames.

Is Nixplay still worth it?

Only if you want video playback or you already pay for Plus. For most buyers, Aura is the cleaner deal.

Can I avoid the cloud?

Yes. Frameo, Pix-Star, and most Frameo-based frames store photos on the frame itself. No plan, no cap.

Nixplay Cut Free Cloud to 500 MB. Now What?

Nixplay locked Google Photos behind Plus. Here is where users went.

3 min read

Updated May 14, 2026

Nixplay used to be the easy pick. Big app, lots of photo sources, free Google Photos sync. Then they cut the free cloud to 500 MB and moved Google Photos to a paid plan. Buyers were not happy.

I read the reviews. I saw the angry threads on Reddit and the Nixplay support forum. Folks who paid $200 for a frame three years ago felt like the rug got pulled. Here is the short story, what they swapped to, and what I would do.

What Nixplay Did

Free cloud went from 10 GB to 500 MB. Google Photos sync moved behind the Plus plan, which runs about $30 a year. Old buyers got a grace window, then the lock kicked in. The frame still works. The free piece got small.

Why It Hurt

People buy a frame as a gift. They send it to mom. Mom does not pay app fees. When the free side shrinks, the gift turns into a chore. That is the part that stung.

Where Users Went

Brand	Free cloud	Google Photos	Price
Aura	Unlimited	Free	$149 to $249
Skylight	Free tier	Plus only, $39/yr	$159 to $299
Pix-Star	Local only	No, email instead	$179 to $229
Frameo	Local only	No	$60 to $150
Nixplay	500 MB	Plus only	$99 to $229

The Three Main Switch Paths

Aura

Most of the Reddit threads pointed here. Aura kept the unlimited free cloud promise. The Carver and Mason Luxe both ship with no plan, no cap. Read our three-brand take.

Skylight

Folks who wanted email sharing went here. You send pictures to a private address. Mom never opens an app. Skylight also markets a no-app gift setup, which is the easy win for grandparents.

Frameo

The budget switch. Frameo frames cost $60 to $150 and store photos on the frame. No plan. The app is the only path in, so the family has to install it. Trade-off is fine for most people.

Should You Still Buy a Nixplay?

Only in three cases. One, you want video with sound. Two, you already pay for Plus. Three, you got a deal that beats Aura on price by a wide margin. For most gift buyers, Aura is the cleaner pick.

The Lesson

When you buy a frame, check the cloud terms first. Free can become $30 a year overnight. Brands that charge zero fees, like Aura, take that risk off the table.

Common questions

What did Nixplay change?: Nixplay cut free cloud from 10 GB to 500 MB and moved Google Photos sync into a Plus plan that costs about $30 a year.
Did old buyers lose features?: Yes. Users who bought a Nixplay before the change lost free Google Photos sync and most of their free cloud storage.
Where did users go?: Most jumped to Aura for unlimited free cloud, or Skylight for email sharing. A few went to Pix-Star or Frameo for one-time pay frames.
Is Nixplay still worth it?: Only if you want video playback or you already pay for Plus. For most buyers, Aura is the cleaner deal.
Can I avoid the cloud?: Yes. Frameo, Pix-Star, and most Frameo-based frames store photos on the frame itself. No plan, no cap.