VaultBolt vs Privault
VaultBolt vs Privault
An honest look at where Privault shines and where VaultBolt is different, using Privault's own App Store listing.
Feature comparison
VaultBolt next to Privault, with Vaultaire and Keepsafe for context.
| Feature | VaultBoltiPhone & iPad | Privault★ 4.7 · 76,578 ratings | Vaultaire★ 4.7 · 55 ratings | Keepsafe★ 4.8 · 385,432 ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| File encryption describedWhat the listing says about how files are protected | ✓Yes: AES-256-GCM, on device | ~Partly: Encrypted storage, no detail | ✓Yes: AES-256-GCM | ~Partly: "Military-grade", no detail |
| Works without an accountNo email or sign-up to use the vault | ✓Yes: No account, ever | ?Not listed: Not listed | ✓Yes: No account | ~Partly: Sync across installs |
| No adsOn the free tier | ✓Yes: Never | ?Not listed: Not listed | ✓Yes: No ads | ✕No: Basic is ad supported |
| Finds private photos for youOn-device scan of your camera roll | ✓Yes: On-device, offline | ✕No: Manual import | ✕No: Manual import | ✕No: Manual import |
| Removes the originalsDeletes camera-roll copies and guides Recently Deleted | ✓Yes: Zero-copies clean-up | ?Not listed: Not listed | ~Partly: Original clean-up after import | ?Not listed: Not listed |
| Decoy vault or fake PINA second code that opens harmless content | ✓Yes: Pro | ✓Yes: Secondary passcode | ✓Yes: Separate patterns | ?Not listed: Not listed |
| Duress or emergency-erase codeA code that removes access under pressure | ✓Yes: Pro | ✓Yes: Erase-all passcode | ✓Yes: Pro | ?Not listed: Not listed |
| Intruder photoSnaps whoever enters a wrong code | ✓Yes: Pro | ?Not listed: Not listed | ?Not listed: Not listed | ?Not listed: Not listed |
| Encrypted cloud backupWhere backups go and whether they are encrypted first | ✓Yes: Encrypted iCloud, all plans | ?Not listed: Not listed | ✓Yes: Encrypted iCloud | ✓Yes: Private Cloud (Keepsafe) |
| Recovery phraseA way back in that does not depend on the developer | ✓Yes: 12-word phrase | ?Not listed: Not listed | ✓Yes: Nine-word phrase | ?Not listed: Not listed |
| Face ID / Touch ID | ✓Yes: Optional | ?Not listed: Not listed | ✕No: Pattern only, by design | ✓Yes: Touch ID |
| Pattern unlock | ✓Yes: Plus PIN and passphrase | ✕No: Digit passcode | ✓Yes: 5×5 pattern | ?Not listed: PIN pad |
| iPhone and iPad | ✓Yes: Sync on Pro | ?Not listed: Not listed | ✓Yes: Sync on Pro | ✓Yes: Phone and tablet |
| One-time purchase optionPay once instead of subscribing | ✓Yes: $37.99 once | ✕No: Subscription | ✓Yes: $39.99 | ?Not listed: Subscription |
| Controlled sharingExpiry, open limits or view-once | ◷On the roadmap: View-once, expiry | ?Not listed: Not listed | ✓Yes: Shared vaults | ✓Yes: Safe Send, time-limited |
Competitor details from each app's US App Store listing, checked 2026-11-01. "Not listed" means the listing does not mention it, not that the feature is missing. VaultBolt items marked ◷ are on the roadmap.
Where Privault is strong
- Secondary decoy passcode and an erase-all passcode
- Plays a very wide range of video formats
Where VaultBolt is different
- VaultBolt's duress code keeps an encrypted cloud backup so you can restore later, instead of erasing everything for good
- VaultBolt documents AES-256-GCM encryption for every file
- VaultBolt is actively developed for current iPhone and iPad
- VaultBolt finds private photos for you and cleans up the originals
Switching
Switching from Privault to VaultBolt
Takes about ten minutes for a typical library. Keep your old app until everything opens in VaultBolt.
- In Privault, export the items you want to keep to Photos or Files.
- Install VaultBolt, set your unlock and write down your recovery phrase.
- Import from Photos or Files, or let the private photo scan find them.
- Run the zero-copies clean-up to delete the exported originals and empty Recently Deleted.
- Once everything opens in VaultBolt, remove Privault from your phone.
Sources: Privault - Private Photo Vault on the App Store. Checked 2026-11-01. Ratings and features change; check the listing before you decide.
FAQ
VaultBolt vs Privault: FAQ
Is Privault still updated?
The App Store showed Privault's last update on 2025-02-28 when we checked on 2026-11-01.
What does VaultBolt's duress code do?
It opens your decoy vault and removes the main vault's keys from this device. Your encrypted iCloud backup stays, so you can restore later with your recovery phrase.
More comparisons
VaultBolt vs Vaultaire
Vaultaire is the closest app to VaultBolt in spirit: on-device AES-256-GCM encryption, no account, pattern-separated vaults and a duress vault on Pro.…
VaultBolt vs Keepsafe
Keepsafe is one of the best-known photo lockers, with more than 385,000 App Store ratings. It locks photos behind a PIN or Touch ID, offers a Private …
VaultBolt vs Private Photo Vault
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VaultBolt
Your stuff. Locked in.
Get VaultBolt for iPhone and iPad, or see exactly how it works in the interactive demo vault.
