Hidy VaultHidy Vault vs Private Photo Vault
Private Photo Vault (Pic Safe) is a feature-rich vault that has been on the App Store since 2011: PIN or pattern lock, break-in reports, a decoy password and a private browser. Hidy Vault does fewer things, with vault keys derived from your pattern and free encrypted backup.
- Private Photo Vault, per its listing: PIN or pattern lock, password-protected albums, break-in report with photo and GPS, decoy password, private browser, encrypted Cloud Vault (Premium).
- Hidy Vault: pattern-derived encryption on the device, documents and notes, free encrypted iCloud backup, decoy vault and sharing (Pro).
- Want break-in photos and a private browser? Private Photo Vault has them; Hidy doesn't.
Side by side
| Private Photo Vault (per its listing) | Hidy Vault | |
|---|---|---|
| Unlock | PIN or pattern/dot lock | Pattern on a 5×5 grid |
| Encryption described | Encrypted Cloud Vault backup with a Cloud Vault Password | AES-256-GCM on the device, key derived from your pattern |
| Backup in free version | No Cloud Vault backup | Encrypted iCloud backup and backup files |
| Decoy | Decoy password | Decoy vault that deletes other vaults (Pro) |
| Wrong-code alerts | Break-in report with photo and GPS | None; there is no "wrong" pattern |
| Extras | Private web browser, face-down lock, wireless transfer | Documents, notes, folders, sharing, sync |
| Devices | iPhone and iPad | iPhone |
Checked 22 October 2026. Private Photo Vault details are taken from its App Store listing, linked below. We haven't audited it.
Where Private Photo Vault is stronger
- More features: break-in reports, a private browser, face-down lock and wireless transfer.
- iPad support and a long track record since 2011.
Hidy Vault keeps photos, videos and documents in encrypted vaults that open only with a pattern you draw. No account, no Hidy server. Free for 3 vaults.
Where Hidy is different
- Encryption described for the device itself. Hidy encrypts every file, name and thumbnail on the iPhone with a key derived from the pattern. See pattern encryption.
- Free backup. Encrypted iCloud backup and backup files are in the free plan.
- Deniable vaults. With one vault per pattern and no wrong-pattern state, Hidy doesn't reveal how many vaults exist.
- Documents and notes alongside photos.
How to decide
If you want to know when someone tried to get in, or you need iPad, Private Photo Vault covers that. If you want fewer features and a vault whose key you alone hold, try Hidy Vault. It's free for 3 vaults.
Frequently asked questions
Does Hidy take a photo of someone who enters the wrong code?
No. Hidy has no wrong-pattern state at all: any valid pattern opens a vault, and an unused one opens an empty space. That's what keeps other vaults deniable.
Is Private Photo Vault's backup free?
Its listing says the free version does not back up files to Cloud Vault. Hidy's encrypted iCloud backup is included in the free plan.
Does Private Photo Vault work on iPad?
Its listing describes the app for iPhone and iPad. Hidy Vault is built for iPhone.
