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VaultWell vs Obscura Photo Vault
Obscura Photo Vault is an iPhone and iPad vault with no account. How it compares with VaultWell.
Checked against each app's App Store listing in October 2026. App stores change, so check the current listing before deciding. If something here is out of date, we want to fix it.
At a glance
| Question | VaultWell | Obscura Photo Vault |
|---|---|---|
| Phones | iPhone and iPad | iPhone and Android |
| Account | None: "No accounts, no cloud, no data collection" | No account |
| Encryption | AES-256-GCM; passwords use 600,000 rounds of key derivation | Argon2id and AES-GCM; key tied to the phone's secure hardware |
| Forgotten password | Not recoverable: "There is no reset, no recovery email" | Recovery phrase, set up when you create a vault |
| Several separate vaults | 10 vault slots; multiple vaults need Pro | Yes, each opened by its own path |
| Price | Free with Pro: $6.99 a month, $29.99 a year, or $39.99 once | Not yet set |
| Duress option | Calculator mode was removed from the app | Yes, a duress vault that erases the others |
Where VaultWell is different
- Works on iPhone and Android, with backups that move between them.
- A recovery phrase, so a forgotten path doesn't mean lost photos.
- A duress vault and intruder snapshots.
Where Obscura Photo Vault is better
- Pay-once option at $39.99, with no subscription.
- Uses the iPhone's own hardware and iCloud backup, if you already rely on those.
Which to choose
Choose Obscura Photo Vault if one of its strengths matters most to you. Choose VaultWell if you want a named encryption design, several separate vaults, recovery phrases, and the same app on iPhone and Android.