Privault vs Hushkeeper

Facts about Privault come from its US App Store listing as of November 2026.

At a glance

"Not stated on the listing" means the App Store page doesn't say; it doesn't mean the app lacks the feature. Privacy labels are declared by each developer.

Decoys and emergency erase

Privault gives you two extra codes: a secondary passcode that opens a separate folder you can reveal under pressure, and an erase-all passcode that deletes the secret files. That's a practical setup, though anyone who knows the app may expect a second folder to exist.

Hushkeeper handles the same situation differently. Every pattern opens its own vault and the unlock screen never lists them, so there is no fixed "real plus decoy" pair to look for. That's the idea behind plausible deniability. Its duress pattern (Pro) opens a harmless vault and removes all the others from the device, while their encrypted backups stay in iCloud and can be restored later with their recovery phrases. Our explainer on duress passwords covers when that helps and when it doesn't.

Backups and moving to a new phone

Privault's listing describes getting files in and out through the camera roll and a built-in Wi-Fi server, but doesn't describe an automatic cloud backup. If you rely on it, check inside the app how your files would survive a lost or replaced iPhone. Hushkeeper's encrypted iCloud backup is free and on by default, keeps daily versions for 30 days, and only ever uploads ciphertext.

Ads and tracking

Privault sells a "Remove ADs" purchase, and its privacy label declares usage data used to track you, plus usage and advertising data linked to you. Hushkeeper has no ads in any tier, no tracking and no account.

Extras

Privault does more than store photos. The listing highlights a 3D photo browser, a player for many media formats and a voice recorder. If you want an all-in-one media locker, that's a real advantage. Hushkeeper is focused on encrypted storage, search, folders, backup and sharing.

When Privault is the better choice

• You want an erase-all passcode alongside a decoy folder.
• You'd use its built-in media player and voice recorder.
• You need one of its 12 languages that Hushkeeper doesn't offer.

When Hushkeeper is the better choice

• You want the encryption method published (AES-256-GCM) rather than unnamed.
• You don't want ads or tracking inside a vault app.
• You want automatic, free, encrypted backup with 30-day versions.
• You want vaults that can't be counted and a duress pattern.

Before you switch vaults

Whichever app you pick, move files across while the old vault still opens, check every album on the new side, then delete the originals and empty Recently Deleted. Our guide to moving a photo vault without losing anything covers the order, and the best private photo vault apps for iPhone roundup compares the bigger names side by side.

Sources

• App Store: Privault – Private Photo Vault
• Hushkeeper: how the encryption works and pricing