Compare
Compare
Your phone may already have a private place for photos. Here's a fair look at how they differ, including where the built-in options are better.
Where VaultWell is stronger
- A separate path for each vault, apart from your phone's lock
- Several hidden vaults, with nothing on screen showing how many
- A duress vault for when someone pressures you
- The same app on iPhone and Android, with no account
Where built-in options are stronger
- Already on your phone, with nothing to install
- Sync and backup to the maker's cloud, which VaultWell doesn't offer today
- Free, and kept up to date by your phone's maker
The overall picture
Summarised as of October 2026 from each maker's public documentation. Built-in features change with updates, so check their current docs.
| Question | VaultWell | iPhone Hidden album | Google Locked Folder | Samsung Secure Folder |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Separate secret from your phone's lock | Yes, a path per vault | No | No | Yes, its own lock |
| Several hidden spaces | Yes | One album | One folder | One folder |
| Shows nothing about how many exist | Yes | Can hide the album | No | Can hide the icon |
| Duress option | Yes | No | No | No |
| Cloud sync or backup | No; encrypted backup files you keep | Yes, iCloud Photos | Optional | Yes, Samsung cloud |
| Works on iPhone and Android | Yes | iPhone only | Mainly Android | Galaxy only |
| Built in, nothing to install | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Account needed | None | Apple Account for iCloud | Google account for backup | Samsung account for some features |
Side by side
One page for each option, with the details the table leaves out.
VaultWell vs the iPhone Hidden albumApple's built-in Hidden album in Photos, compared fairly.VaultWell vs Google Photos Locked FolderGoogle Photos' Locked Folder, compared fairly.VaultWell vs Samsung Secure FolderSamsung's Knox-based Secure Folder, compared fairly.VaultWell vs locked Notes and Files on iPhoneLocked notes in Apple Notes and documents in Files, compared fairly.VaultWell vs calculator vault appsApps that hide a vault behind a calculator screen, as a category.VaultWell vs Obscura Photo VaultObscura Photo Vault compared with VaultWell.VaultWell vs Inner GalleryInner Gallery compared with VaultWell.VaultWell vs EncameraEncamera compared with VaultWell.VaultWell vs HiddenVaultHiddenVault compared with VaultWell.VaultWell vs Calculator#Calculator# compared with VaultWell.VaultWell vs SPV Secret Photo VaultSPV Secret Photo Vault compared with VaultWell.VaultWell vs PV Secret Photo AlbumPV Secret Photo Album compared with VaultWell.VaultWell vs Safe Lock Private Photo VaultSafe Lock Private Photo Vault compared with VaultWell.VaultWell vs Hide it ProHide it Pro compared with VaultWell.VaultWell vs VaultyVaulty compared with VaultWell.
We try to be fair. Built-in options are free, already on your phone, and often sync across devices, which VaultWell doesn't do today. If they meet your needs, use them. If something here is wrong or out of date, tell us and we'll correct it. Contact details will be added before launch.