---
id: icloud.icloud-drive-vs-icloud-photos-difference
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/icloud-drive-vs-icloud-photos-difference
category: "iCloud & iCloud Photos"
subcategory: "iCloud Drive basics"
question: "What's the difference between iCloud Drive and iCloud Photos?"
alt_questions:
  - "iCloud Photos vs iCloud Drive"
  - "Are my photos in iCloud Drive?"
  - "Should I put photos in iCloud Drive or iCloud Photos?"
  - "Two different iCloud storage features"
  - "Why are my photos not in iCloud Drive folder?"
short_answer: "iCloud Drive syncs files and folders you see in Finder; iCloud Photos syncs the library you manage in the Photos app. Each has its own Optimize Mac Storage setting, and both count against the same iCloud plan."
tags: ["icloud drive", "icloud photos", "basics"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/what-is-icloud-drive-on-a-mac", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/how-do-i-reduce-the-space-icloud-photos-uses-on-my-mac"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# What's the difference between iCloud Drive and iCloud Photos?

They're two different iCloud features. **iCloud Drive** syncs files and folders you can see in Finder. **iCloud Photos** syncs your Photos library — photos and videos you manage in the Photos app, not as separate files in Finder.

Each has its own space-saving setting:

- iCloud Drive: **Optimize Mac Storage** in iCloud Drive's settings, or online-only files.
- iCloud Photos: **Optimize Mac Storage** in **Photos → Settings → iCloud**.

Both count against the same iCloud plan. Storage Studio frees iCloud Drive files on your Mac but leaves the Photos library to Photos. See [reducing the space iCloud Photos uses](https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/how-do-i-reduce-the-space-icloud-photos-uses-on-my-mac).