GalleryVault vs Privately

GalleryVault is an Android and iOS app for keeping photos, videos, and other files in a private vault. Users can add or capture photos and videos; supported file types also include audio and documents. The maker describes stored files as encrypted, and says media on SD cards can be encrypted too. A private browser can download all images and videos from a web page with one tap. For disguised access, the app can hide its icon and provides a secret door. GalleryVault includes backup and restore, and its help page says it can connect to Google Drive to store encrypted files. Free users can upload up to 100 new files to Google Drive per month. The maker says data is kept on the user's device and recommends backing it up. Deleted photos remain in the recycle bin for 60 days before automatic deletion. Paid features include fingerprint unlock, folder lock, fake passcode, random PIN keyboard, shake-to-close, and break-in alerts. A free plan is listed; the seven-day trial applies to six-month and one-year subscriptions. Paid options include 9.90 CNY a month and 68 CNY a year.

Privately is an iPhone vault for photos and videos, with media encrypted on the device. It splits files into 1 MB blocks protected by AES-256-GCM, while the user’s PIN wraps a master key stored in the iPhone Secure Enclave. Albums can have separate passwords, and their locked photos disappear from the timeline, search, and favorites; Face ID unlocking is optional. On-device Smart Search can find text in photos in 18 languages without sending the photos off the iPhone. Users can export a.privately backup and restore it on a new device with their PIN; the maker says backups can be kept in iCloud Drive or elsewhere. The maker says it has no accounts or servers holding photos, file names, or thumbnails. The Free plan costs nothing, with no sign-up required. Pro Yearly costs $39.99 a year and includes locked albums and encrypted backups. The yearly subscription has a 7-day free trial; the weekly subscription has no free trial. The app is only for iPhone and requires iOS 18.0 or later. The maker says forgotten PIN access or losing a device without a backup can mean permanent content loss.