Best App For Sharing pictures

Instagram. You can send to specific people or share publicly. I tend to use a camera for the bulk of photos, but purposely take some with my camera to share with kids. They can only tolerate looking at a few a day, but they at least look at these...otherwise, they don't have the time to go log in to Shutterfly or other sites that allow storage and sharing options.

Also depends on what app the other people are willing to install on their devices.

Even though you say you don’t want have all your photos uploaded, the advantage of Google Photos or Apple’s Photos means they are safely backed up in case there are problems with your phone.

If you have Amazon Prime, their photo storage is free and you can share albums.

I didn’t know that about Amazon Prime. Thanks.

Google Photos or Instagram. Amazon products are always aiming to get you to buy something

The "Amazon Photos" app literally sells nothing (unless you click Prints, but they dont push that at all). Yes, you do have to have Amazon Prime, but most people do. There is no limit to how many photos you can store (there is a limit on video though). This is way easier than buying cloud space somewhere else.

For sharing with friends (and maybe others who search for photos through hashtags), it would be Instagram. I did have an issue before because both Facebook and Instagram compress photos, although it seems to be a more common problem for me for the former and I had the latter sorted out by adhering to the dimensions stated here: https://http-com.com/how-to-upload-high-quality-photos-to-instagram/ -- that's 1080 pixels wide and 1350 pixels high. It seems though that storage is more of an issue for you. I'd also suggest Google Photos, or services similar to Dropbox. I think you can share photos from Dropbox through a link, but of course free storage is limited.

LF,

I really like SmugMug and they also have a smart phone app. I think they also have an Android version. I tend to upload photos using a computer as it's much easier to type descriptions and work with the photos.

Google Photos because it is a default app. You don't have to install one more app. I think you can set up to avoid it syncing all the photos.
Instagram apknite, it is known that one of the most popular photo apps so might most of your friends that you want to share the photos are using it.

On my Android I just use built-in Google Photos. I can sync it so all the photos are uploaded or I can pick and choose by going to my Gallery. From Gallery I can share to Google Photos or directly to my contacts through email or messaging. You didn't identify your phone, but I hope this helps.

I am a Google Photos user. We like it for the ease of use. Automatic upload only when on WiFi (you chose) to save Data usage while traveling. Before we leave on a trip I clear pictures that are more than a year old on our phones to make room for more. Cyndi and I both upload to the same file so all our photos are saved to the same place. The app has great searches, people, places, things etc. makes it easy to create albums. Another feature is it records and attaches your location on each photo and shows you on a map. Great for European trips. Then you can archive the photos once you have made an album and retrieve later if you want.
Ps; I have never used Instagram so keep that in mind and I also upload all my photos to an additional SSD hard drive for safe long term storage. Remember to download google maps very morning while you are on WiFi. Load all of your hotels in your phone, I use Trip it. Makes it easy to find your way back to your hotel in google maps walking mode. Google translate for countries where you don’t speak the language. Learn how to air drop from your phone to your travel partners, great for group photos.
Never lay your phone down keep it secure.
Safe travels
Don

For Google Photos can you select pictures you want to upload or does it automatically upload all photos?