Private Photo Vault alternative
A modern alternative to Private Photo Vault.
Private Photo Vault (Pic Safe) has been on the App Store since 2011 and is one of the most-rated apps in the category. Secure Folder: Privacy Vault is the newer, disguise-first take on the same idea. Both keep photos on the device by default, both have a fake-PIN decoy, and both take a photo on a failed unlock. Secure Folder can also swap its home-screen icon for a calculator, calendar, or one of nine disguises, so the vault itself is hidden, and it has a modern interface.
The short version
Pick Secure Folder for a disguised app icon and a modern design.
Secure Folder vs Private Photo Vault, side by side
| Secure Folder | Private Photo Vault | |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | On-device | On-device (optional cloud) |
| Account required | No | No (cloud is opt-in) |
| Decoy vault (fake PIN) | Yes | Yes |
| Intruder alerts (photo) | Yes | Yes (break-in report) |
| Disguised app icon | Yes — 9 icons | Not a headline feature |
| Price | Free · optional Premium upgrade | Free · $6.99 to $12.99 a month, $35.99 to $39.99 a year, or $39.99 once |
Competitor details verified against public sources, July 2026. Apps change — see sources below.
Choose Secure Folder if…
- You want the app itself hidden — a disguised home-screen icon as well as a locked album.
- You prefer a clean, modern interface.
Choose Private Photo Vault if…
- You're already set up in Private Photo Vault and have no reason to switch.
Common questions
Is Secure Folder like Private Photo Vault?
They're close: both keep photos on your iPhone, both have a fake-PIN decoy vault, and both photograph failed unlock attempts. The main difference is that Secure Folder can disguise its own app icon (stealth mode) and has a modern interface, while Private Photo Vault has a longer track record and a larger user base.
Which has a fake PIN / decoy vault?
Both do. Private Photo Vault offers a decoy password, and Secure Folder has a decoy vault that opens with a second PIN. Secure Folder additionally disguises its home-screen icon, which Private Photo Vault doesn't feature.
Is Secure Folder free?
Yes, it's free to download. The vault, PIN/Face ID lock, stealth icons, and widgets are free, and Premium, the optional paid upgrade, adds the decoy vault and intruder alerts.
See for yourself.
Free to download, with no account and no cloud sync.
Sources
- Private Photo Vault (Pic Safe) — App Store
- Private Photo Vault — official site
- Secure Folder: Privacy Vault — App Store