Calculator Lock - Photo Vault vs Valv
Calculator Lock - Photo Vault
sababasystems.comValv
github.comSide by side
| Figure | Calculator Lock - Photo Vault | Valv |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 1 |
| Spec score · Photo Vault Apps | 8.6 (#5) | 7.8 (#13) |
| Encryption | The product page identifies the vault as AES-256 encrypted and the policy describes encryption for vault files, thumbnails, notes and database records. | Files are encrypted with ChaCha20, and keys are derived using PBKDF2 with HMAC-SHA512. |
| Headquarters | India | Östersund, Sweden |
| Multiple vaults | Different four-digit PINs can open separate vaults without a visible vault switcher. | Different passwords can be used to access multiple vaults. |
| Support | Support is available by email, and optional feedback can be sent over HTTPS without automatically attaching vault files or PINs. | Google Play lists [email protected] as the support email. |
Plans
In their own words
Calculator Lock - Photo Vault
Calculator Lock - Photo Vault is an Android privacy vault concealed behind a working calculator and opened with a 4-digit PIN. It stores photos, videos, audio, PDFs, files, and Secure Notes in encrypted app-private storage. Different PINs can open separate vaults without a visible session switcher. Users can search and pin encrypted notes, organize items in built-in folders, and restore deleted media or notes from Trash. The app displays photos, videos, audio, and PDF previews; unsupported files can be unlocked, exported, or shared. The maker describes screenshot protection and clipboard cleanup on sensitive flows. The free plan costs nothing and allows up to two personal vaults, with ads possibly appearing. There is no cloud backup or PIN recovery. Optional Intruder Detection may capture a front-camera photo after repeated failed attempts.
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.