Blackbox vs Valv
Blackbox
meetblackbox.comValv
github.comSide by side
| Figure | Blackbox | Valv |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $4.17/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 3 | 1 |
| Spec score · Photo Vault Apps | 8.2 (#8) | 7.8 (#13) |
| Encryption | The maker says the app uses AES-256 encryption and that encryption occurs on the device before data is transmitted. | Files are encrypted with ChaCha20, and keys are derived using PBKDF2 with HMAC-SHA512. |
| Headquarters | Hyderabad, Telangana, India | Östersund, Sweden |
| Purpose | Blackbox is a mobile app for hiding and protecting private photos, videos, files, notes, and other content in encrypted vaults. | Valv is an encrypted gallery vault for Android devices. |
| Support | The support page directs users to contact [email protected]. | Google Play lists [email protected] as the support email. |
Plans
In their own words
Blackbox
Blackbox has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.
Valv
Valv is a free Android gallery vault for storing photos, GIFs, videos, and text files in encrypted form on a device. Files can be arranged into folders, with notes or text attached, and separate vaults can use different passwords. Access supports a password or PIN; one vault can also be unlocked with fingerprint or face authentication. Valv uses ChaCha20 encryption and derives keys with PBKDF2 and HMAC-SHA512. PBKDF2 uses 50,000 iterations by default, and that count can be changed. Encrypted files remain on local storage, supporting backups and transfers between devices, but cloud backup is not available. The project README says the app requires no permissions, while Google Play declares no data collected and no data shared with third parties. Valv requires Android 9.0 or newer and is listed at free. It is distributed through Google Play, F-Droid, and a GitHub APK, under GPL-3.0-only.