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Compare photo vault apps, side by side

Side by side with the iPhone’s Hidden album and popular vault apps. Every claim has a source and a date, and we say where the others win.

See all five side by side

ComparisonVaultShield vs. the iPhone Hidden albumThe Hidden album is free and already on your iPhone. VaultShield adds a lock of its own. Here is what each one protects, so you can pick the right one.Checked Nov 2, 2026Compare

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Until then, the table below puts all five options side by side.

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All five, side by side

Other apps are described only from their own websites. “Not stated” means we couldn’t find it there, not that the app lacks it.

VaultShield

iPhone Hidden albumFull comparison

Private Photo Vault

Keepsafe

LockMyPix

Unlocks withWho can open it

VaultShield, Offered: Separate pattern, with optional Face ID on top

iPhone Hidden album, Limited: Your iPhone passcode or Face ID

Private Photo Vault, Offered: Separate PIN, password or pattern; Face ID plus PIN

Keepsafe, Offered: PIN, fingerprint or Face ID

LockMyPix, Offered: Fingerprint or face unlock

AccountWhat you sign up for

VaultShield, Offered: No account needed

iPhone Hidden album, Limited: Apple ID, if iCloud Photos is on

Private Photo Vault, Offered: No account needed

Keepsafe, Not stated: Not stated

LockMyPix, Not stated: Not stated

Where files liveWhere copies end up

VaultShield, Offered: On this iPhone, with optional encrypted iCloud backup

iPhone Hidden album, Limited: Syncs to your devices with iCloud Photos

Private Photo Vault, Offered: On device, with optional encrypted cloud backup

Keepsafe, Offered: On your phone

LockMyPix, Offered: On device, with SD card support

FoldersHow you organise

VaultShield, Offered: Folders, each with its own lock

iPhone Hidden album, Limited: One album

Private Photo Vault, Offered: Password-protected albums and sub-albums

Keepsafe, Offered: Albums

LockMyPix, Offered: Folders and subfolders

DisguiseHow it hides on your phone

VaultShield, Offered: Look-alike Home Screen icon

iPhone Hidden album, Limited: Lives inside Photos

Private Photo Vault, Not stated: Not stated

Keepsafe, Offered: Separate Calculator decoy app

LockMyPix, Offered: Fake vault and invisible mode

EncryptionWhat protects the files

VaultShield, Offered: XChaCha20-Poly1305, Argon2id, Secure Enclave key

iPhone Hidden album, Limited: iPhone's built-in device encryption

Private Photo Vault, Offered: AES

Keepsafe, Limited: “Military-grade”, no algorithm named

LockMyPix, Offered: AES CTR

PlatformsWhere you can use it

VaultShield, Limited: iPhone and iPad

iPhone Hidden album, Offered: iPhone, iPad and Mac

Private Photo Vault, Offered: iPhone and Android

Keepsafe, Offered: iPhone and Android

LockMyPix, Offered: Android (iPhone not stated)

OfferedLimitedNot statedCompetitor details from each app’s own website, 1 Nov 2026. “Not stated” means we couldn’t find it there, not that the app lacks it.

Private Photo Vault, Keepsafe and LockMyPix names and icons are trademarks of their respective owners. VaultShield is not affiliated with or endorsed by them.