VaultBolt vs Obscura
VaultBolt vs Obscura
An honest look at where Obscura shines and where VaultBolt is different, using Obscura's own App Store listing.
Feature comparison
VaultBolt next to Obscura, with Vaultaire and Keepsafe for context.
| Feature | VaultBoltiPhone & iPad | Obscura★ 4.3 · 28 ratings | Vaultaire★ 4.7 · 55 ratings | Keepsafe★ 4.8 · 385,432 ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| File encryption describedWhat the listing says about how files are protected | ✓Yes: AES-256-GCM, on device | ✓Yes: AES-256-GCM, open source | ✓Yes: AES-256-GCM | ~Partly: "Military-grade", no detail |
| Works without an accountNo email or sign-up to use the vault | ✓Yes: No account, ever | ✓Yes: No account | ✓Yes: No account | ~Partly: Sync across installs |
| No adsOn the free tier | ✓Yes: Never | ✓Yes: No data collection | ✓Yes: No ads | ✕No: Basic is ad supported |
| Finds private photos for youOn-device scan of your camera roll | ✓Yes: On-device, offline | ✕No: Manual import | ✕No: Manual import | ✕No: Manual import |
| Removes the originalsDeletes camera-roll copies and guides Recently Deleted | ✓Yes: Zero-copies clean-up | ?Not listed: Not listed | ~Partly: Original clean-up after import | ?Not listed: Not listed |
| Decoy vault or fake PINA second code that opens harmless content | ✓Yes: Pro | ✓Yes: Second vault as decoy | ✓Yes: Separate patterns | ?Not listed: Not listed |
| Duress or emergency-erase codeA code that removes access under pressure | ✓Yes: Pro | ?Not listed: Not listed | ✓Yes: Pro | ?Not listed: Not listed |
| Intruder photoSnaps whoever enters a wrong code | ✓Yes: Pro | ?Not listed: Not listed | ?Not listed: Not listed | ?Not listed: Not listed |
| Encrypted cloud backupWhere backups go and whether they are encrypted first | ✓Yes: Encrypted iCloud, all plans | ~Partly: Manual encrypted export file | ✓Yes: Encrypted iCloud | ✓Yes: Private Cloud (Keepsafe) |
| Recovery phraseA way back in that does not depend on the developer | ✓Yes: 12-word phrase | ✕No: No reset, by design | ✓Yes: Nine-word phrase | ?Not listed: Not listed |
| Face ID / Touch ID | ✓Yes: Optional | ✓Yes: Face ID, Touch ID | ✕No: Pattern only, by design | ✓Yes: Touch ID |
| Pattern unlock | ✓Yes: Plus PIN and passphrase | ✕No: Password | ✓Yes: 5×5 pattern | ?Not listed: PIN pad |
| iPhone and iPad | ✓Yes: Sync on Pro | ?Not listed: Not listed | ✓Yes: Sync on Pro | ✓Yes: Phone and tablet |
| One-time purchase optionPay once instead of subscribing | ✓Yes: $37.99 once | ✓Yes: Lifetime | ✓Yes: $39.99 | ?Not listed: Subscription |
| Controlled sharingExpiry, open limits or view-once | ◷On the roadmap: View-once, expiry | ?Not listed: Not listed | ✓Yes: Shared vaults | ✓Yes: Safe Send, time-limited |
Competitor details from each app's US App Store listing, checked 2026-11-01. "Not listed" means the listing does not mention it, not that the feature is missing. VaultBolt items marked ◷ are on the roadmap.
Where Obscura is strong
- Open-source encryption code
- No network use and no analytics
- Ten vault slots that look identical on disk
Where VaultBolt is different
- VaultBolt backs up automatically to your own iCloud as ciphertext, instead of manual export files
- VaultBolt gives you a recovery phrase, so a forgotten unlock is not the end
- VaultBolt finds private photos for you and removes the originals
- VaultBolt adds a duress code and intruder photos
Switching
Switching from Obscura to VaultBolt
Takes about ten minutes for a typical library. Keep your old app until everything opens in VaultBolt.
- In Obscura, export the items you want to keep to Photos or Files.
- Install VaultBolt, set your unlock and write down your recovery phrase.
- Import from Photos or Files, or let the private photo scan find them.
- Run the zero-copies clean-up to delete the exported originals and empty Recently Deleted.
- Once everything opens in VaultBolt, remove Obscura from your phone.
Sources: Obscura: Encrypted Photo Vault on the App Store. Checked 2026-11-01. Ratings and features change; check the listing before you decide.
FAQ
VaultBolt vs Obscura: FAQ
Can Obscura recover a forgotten password?
Obscura's listing says there is no password reset by design. VaultBolt gives every vault a 12-word recovery phrase that only you hold.
More comparisons
VaultBolt vs Vaultaire
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VaultBolt
Your stuff. Locked in.
Get VaultBolt for iPhone and iPad, or see exactly how it works in the interactive demo vault.
