Cryptile vs Secret Photo Vault
Cryptile and Secret Photo Vault both lock photos, videos and notes behind a code on iPhone and iPad. Secret Photo Vault lets you set a password per folder and runs on Mac; Cryptile uses a drawn pattern, keeps an encrypted iCloud backup and publishes its encryption core for audit.
Several apps use this name. This page covers Secret Photo Vault - Photosafe by iGeniusDev Technology. For SPV by Maple Labs, see Cryptile vs SPV Photo Vault.
Try Cryptile free: join the beta on TestFlight
How do Cryptile and Secret Photo Vault compare?
| Question | Cryptile | Secret Photo Vault - Photosafe |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Plus: $19.99 a year (7-day free trial), $39.99 once | Subscriptions listed: 3 months $3.99, 6 months $7.99, yearly $14.99. One-off purchases listed at $9.99, $17.99 and $29.99 |
| Free tier | Up to 2 vaults, 100 photos and 10 videos in total. Files, notes and folders unlimited | Free download with in-app purchases. Limits not stated |
| Unlock method | A pattern drawn on a grid. Use 8 or more cells | A PIN, Face ID or Touch ID. A separate password can be set per folder |
| Decoy or fake vault | A different pattern opens a different vault. No vault list | Not stated |
| Encryption as published | AES-256-GCM on every file, thumbnail and index. Core published for audit | Not stated |
| Cloud backup | Encrypted iCloud backup. 9-word recovery phrase, no reset | Not stated. Wi-Fi transfer is listed |
| Account required | No | Not stated |
| In-app camera | Yes | Not stated |
| Notes and files | Photos, videos, files, folders and secure notes | Photos, videos, audio, contacts, notes and files |
| Platforms | iPhone and iPad | iPhone, iPad, Mac (M1 or later) and Apple Vision |
| Search inside the vault | Yes, in Plus. Text is read from photos and PDFs on the device | Not stated |
| Sharing | Shared vaults are coming, not available yet | Photos can be shared from inside the app |
Checked 2026-10-26. Secret Photo Vault facts come from its App Store listing. Check it for current terms.
When should I choose Secret Photo Vault?
- You want a different password on each folder.
- You want a Mac version today. Cryptile has no Mac app yet.
- You want an audio player and contacts inside the vault.
When should I choose Cryptile?
- You want a decoy. A different pattern opens a different vault, and there is no vault list.
- You want a backup. Cryptile keeps an encrypted iCloud backup you restore with a 9-word phrase.
- You want an in-app camera that saves straight into the vault.
What are the limits of Cryptile?
These apply to any pattern-based vault, ours included.
- Short patterns are weak. A pattern is weaker than a passphrase. Use 8 or more cells.
- Screenshots win. View-once cannot stop a screenshot.
- No reset. Lose the pattern and the recovery phrase, and the vault is gone.
Read the full security page and the Plus page.