NullVault vs Valv
NullVault
nullvault.appValv
github.comSide by side
| Figure | NullVault | Valv |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $1.67/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 8 | 1 |
| Spec score · Photo Vault Apps | 8.9 (#3) | 7.8 (#13) |
| Encryption | The apps use AES-256-GCM authenticated encryption for vault content and metadata. | Files are encrypted with ChaCha20, and keys are derived using PBKDF2 with HMAC-SHA512. |
| Headquarters | Prague, Czechia | Östersund, Sweden |
| Maker | The about page describes NullVault as built and maintained by a small independent development group called the NullVault Team. | The app is published by Arctosoft AB. |
| Organization | The Android app provides search, file-type filters, collections, grid/list layouts, sorting, previews and multi-select actions. | Users can organize files into folders and add notes or text to files. |
| Support | Support is provided by email at [email protected] and staff state they cannot bypass encryption or recover forgotten phrases. | Google Play lists [email protected] as the support email. |
Plans
NullVault
- NullVault FreeFree
- NullVault Free for iOSFree
- Vaultie Pro Monthly$2.99 a month
- Vaultie Pro Annual$19.99 a year
- Vaultie Pro Lifetime$39.99, paid once
- NullVault Pro for iOSPrice not published
- NullVault Pro for iOSPrice not published
- NullVault Pro for iOSPrice not published
In their own words
NullVault
NullVault stores photos, videos, files, and notes in separate encrypted vaults, each opened with its own pattern. Entering a pattern opens the matching vault without showing a master list or the number of vaults. Within a vault, users can organize content into collections, search, and sort; they can capture or import items and deliberately export selected ones. Exported copies are outside NullVault’s protection.
Local vaults work offline without a NullVault account or server. The maker describes Android encryption using AES-256-GCM, Argon2id, and Android Keystore material; its iOS description lists AES-256-GCM, Argon2id, Apple CryptoKit, and libsodium. iOS supports encrypted iCloud backup and controlled read-only sharing through CloudKit, while Android supports portable encrypted backups. The free iOS plan allows up to five vaults and 20 items total, with one collection per vault. Compatibility is listed for iPhone running iOS 26 or later and Android phones running Android 10 or later. The maker warns that a compromised device may expose patterns, keys, screens, or plaintext, and that hidden vaults do not make encrypted data impossible to detect.
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.