Review & comparison
Sealby vs Privault
Features, pricing and privacy at a glance. Details and sources below.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Sealby | Privault |
|---|---|---|
| Encryption | Yes1 | Yes2 |
| No account | Yes3 | |
| No developer storage server | Yes5 | |
| Multiple separate vaults | Yes7 | Yes8 |
| Decoy vault | Yes9 | Yes10 |
| Photos, videos, files & folders | Yes11 | |
| Create & edit notes | Yes13 | |
| No ads |
Notes on this comparison
We compare published features, not independently tested security. A red cross earns no credit: the feature is unsupported, has a drawback, or is labelled “Not advertised” because we found no claim in the checked sources. “Not advertised” does not prove a feature is absent. An amber dash means documented partial support. A grey question mark is reserved for checks we could not assess and is excluded from the ranking score.
- 1.Sealby · Encryption: AES-256-GCM encrypts each file on your device.
- 2.Privault · Encryption: The current App Store description explicitly advertises encrypted storage. The algorithm and key management are not detailed; this credits the published claim, not independently verified security.
- 3.Sealby · No account: No Sealby account; optional iCloud features use your Apple Account.
- 4.Privault · No account: Email reset is documented; account-free local use is not explicitly advertised in the checked sources.
- 5.Sealby · No developer storage server: No Sealby content servers; optional encrypted backup in your own iCloud.
- 6.Privault · No developer storage server: Local Wi-Fi transfer is documented; no developer content storage is not explicitly promised in the checked sources.
- 7.Sealby · Multiple separate vaults: Unlimited free vaults, each with its own code and recovery phrase.
- 8.Privault · Multiple separate vaults: Primary and secondary passcodes open different content spaces.
- 9.Sealby · Decoy vault: A separate free vault can be a decoy; duress deletion requires Premium.
- 10.Privault · Decoy vault: Secondary passcode opens alternate content; its paid tier is not specified.
- 11.Sealby · Photos, videos, files & folders: Photos, videos, any file type, rich-text notes and folders.
- 12.Privault · Photos, videos, files & folders: Photos, videos, audio and albums are documented. General-document support is not advertised in the checked sources; partial credit for the documented media support.
- 13.Sealby · Create & edit notes: Write rich-text notes and import plaintext files. Search inside supported documents.
- 14.Privault · Create & edit notes: The listing mentions files and audio memos, but does not document a written-note editor. Audio memos do not qualify.
- 15.Sealby · No ads: No ads in either the free or Premium version.
- 16.Privault · No ads: Free app includes ads; a separate Remove ADs purchase is listed.
Premium, side by side.
US prices · Checked
| Plan | Sealby | Privault |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $4.99higher listed price | $3.49lower listed pricePro Service |
| Yearly | $24.99Same price | $24.99Same pricePro Service |
| Lifetime | $39.99lower listed priceOne payment. No subscription. | $45.99higher listed pricePermanent Pro |
↓ Lower price↑ Higher priceSame billing period; features differ.
Privault · What these plans include
- Pro ServiceMonthly
- $3.49
- Pro ServiceYearly
- $24.99
- Permanent ProLifetime
- $45.99
- Remove ADsPlan: Not verified
- $2.99
Listed offers, not guaranteed checkout prices. Availability and prices vary by region. “Not verified” means no unambiguous matching price was found, not that a plan is unavailable.
How does Privault compare with Sealby?
Privault offers alternate passcodes and email-based reset. Sealby has no email reset: each vault has its own recovery phrase, with photos, files and notes behind its code.
What to keep in mind
- Email-based passcode reset is part of its recovery model; it differs from recovery-phrase-only access.
- A secondary passcode and an erase-all passcode have different effects. The listing does not assign them a paid tier.
What Privault is built for
- Primary, decoy (secondary) and erase-all passcodes
- Local Wi-Fi transfer for importing and exporting files
What to consider
- Its FAQ describes resetting a forgotten passcode with an emailed verification code
- Its privacy policy lists AdMob, Umeng and Google Play Services among the third-party services the app uses
- Its App Store privacy label (as listed 4 October 2026) declares usage data used to track you, and the free app shows ads
The honest verdict
Choose Sealby if you want recovery under your control, without ads or tracking. Write the phrase down: we cannot reset it for you.
Sources & checked date
Checked against these public sources on October 4, 2026. App Store privacy labels are self-reported by developers. Apps change; if anything here is out of date, write to hello@sealby.app and we will correct it. Product names are trademarks of their owners; Sealby is not affiliated with them.
- Source for listed USD offers (apps.apple.com)
- Privault FAQ (developer’s published source) (github.com)
- Privault privacy policy (developer’s published source) (github.com)
- Privault: developer recovery and migration FAQ (binspir.github.io)
- Privault: developer privacy policy (binspir.github.io)
- Checked (apps.apple.com)
Common questions
How does Sealby handle a forgotten PIN?
Sealby has no email or account reset. A forgotten PIN is recovered with the vault’s 12-word recovery phrase, which only you hold.
Can I move my photos to Sealby?
Yes. Export them to your photo library or Files, then add them to a Sealby vault with the photo picker or the share sheet. Sealby encrypts them on import, and you can then delete the readable copies.
Related: vs Private Photo Vault · vs Secret Photo Album · vs typical photo vaults · Seven photo-vault red flags
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iPhone & iPad · iOS 17+ · Free