Comparison

Paranoia Text Encryption Lite vs Underlayer

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Paranoia Text Encryption Lite

Securely encrypt and decrypt sensitive text data, including notes, messages, and cryptocurrency keys. Offers robust security with multiple strong encryption algorithms and advanced steganography features to hide data within images. Also supports secure password exchange using post-quantum cryptography.

Highlights
  • Text encryption and decryption
  • Steganography (hide text in JPEG)
  • Post-quantum key encapsulation
  • Multiple strong encryption algorithms
  • Copy/paste and file saving
  • Session-based password management
Features
Read full description

• Paranoia Text Encryption is a comprehensive text encryption application for iOS devices (iPhone/iPad/iPod) and macOS, developed by Paranoia Works. • Paranoia Text Encryption safeguards your notes, SMS messages, emails, social networking posts, cryptocurrency keys (seeds, mnemonics), and any other text from unwanted readers. • Simply copy and paste text to and from your favorite applications, or save it to a file for future use. • This app does not function as a "vault application." Instead, a password is set for the current encryption/decryption session, not to enter the app itself. You may use an unlimited number of passwords for any purpose—different files, tasks, people, etc. • The app guarantees robust security by encrypting data using strong encryption algorithms: Blowfish (448-bit), AES (256-bit), RC6 (256-bit), Serpent (256-bit), and Twofish (256-bit) ciphers. • Steganography: The application includes steganographic features, allowing you to conceal text or files within a JPEG image. Two algorithms are available: J-UNIWARD (content-adaptive, minimizes visual distortion, harder to detect) and F5 (matrix encoding, efficient embedding). The selected algorithm works with the chosen symmetric cipher to produce the final steganogram. • Key Encapsulation (KEM): Securely exchange encryption passwords using the post-quantum ML-KEM mechanism (NIST FIPS 203). Two parties can establish a shared password without ever transmitting it directly, with protection against future quantum computer attacks. ◆ Differences between Free and PRO versions: The PRO version offers additional encryption algorithms, specifically Threefish (1024-bit), SHACAL-2 (512-bit), and Paranoia C4 (2048-bit), which is a cascade of Threefish–Serpent–AES–SHACAL-2. While the free version can decrypt data encrypted by these advanced algorithms, the ability to encrypt data using these algorithms is exclusive to the PRO version. The PRO version also provides a key to activate the PRO versions of desktop applications: Paranoia File & Text Encryption for PC, Paranoia Text Encryption for PC, and S.S.E. File Encryptor for PC. • The application is natively compatible with macOS (10.15 and later). Versions for other systems and platforms can be downloaded from the application homepage: https://paranoiaworks.mobi/download/. • An online (web-based) version, utilizing AES and client-side JavaScript, and other utilities are available at https://pteo.paranoiaworks.mobi

About

Underlayer

Features
Read full description

UNDERLAYER - STEGANOGRAPHY MADE SIMPLE Transform ordinary images into secret carriers. Hide confidential messages invisibly within photos and share them through any messenger without raising suspicion. KEY FEATURES: HIDE SECRETS • Embed text messages invisibly into any image • Two encoding modes: Hidden (invisible pixels) and Open (colored frame) • Open mode survives messenger compression (Telegram, WhatsApp, etc.) • Share processed images directly or save to gallery REVEAL MESSAGES • Extract hidden text from steganographic images • Automatic detection of encoding method • Works with images received through messengers • Share intent support - open images directly from gallery WHY UNDERLAYER? • Simple & Intuitive - No cryptography knowledge required • Messenger-Friendly - Open mode designed for compressed sharing • Privacy First - All processing happens locally on your device • Universal - Works with JPG, PNG, WebP formats • No Account Required - Start using immediately USE CASES • Private communication through public channels • Watermarking images with hidden ownership data • Secure note-taking in plain sight • Educational tool for learning steganography • Fun way to send secret messages to friends SECURITY & PRIVACY • No internet connection required for processing • Your messages never leave your device • No data collection or tracking • Complete control over your secrets PREMIUM FEATURES • No banner ads at the bottom • No interstitial ad interruptions • Process unlimited images without ad breaks HOW IT WORKS 1. Select any image from your gallery 2. Enter your secret message 3. Choose encoding mode (Hidden or Open) 4. App embeds message into image pixels 5. Share through messengers or save locally 6. Recipient opens image in Underlayer to reveal message ENCODING MODES EXPLAINED HIDDEN MODE • Message embedded invisibly in image pixels • Completely undetectable to human eye • Best for uncompressed image sharing • Lost when image is compressed by messengers OPEN MODE • Message encoded as colored frame border • Visible as decorative edge around image • Survives Telegram, WhatsApp compression • Recommended for messenger sharing INTERNATIONAL • Available in English and Russian • More languages coming soon • Automatic language detection Whether you're a privacy enthusiast, security professional, or just curious about steganography - Underlayer makes it accessible to everyone. Download now and start hiding your secrets in plain sight! Terms of use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Paranoia Text Encryption Lite4 screens
Underlayer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Paranoia Text Encryption Lite at none against Underlayer's 1. Paranoia Text Encryption Lite also leads on ads (none vs shown) and device support (4 vs 2). Underlayer's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 2 months). On price there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Underlayer sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Paranoia Text Encryption Lite asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Paranoia Text Encryption Lite ships an update every 2 months, Underlayer monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Paranoia Text Encryption Lite versus Underlayer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterParanoia Text Encryption LiteUnderlayer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (84 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews74.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings84 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS14.5 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size18 MB179 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFrantisek DvorakMihail Rukavishnikov

In-app purchases

None

Paranoia Text Encryption Lite

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Underlayer

Subscriptions1
  • Premium$2.997 Days

Questions

Is Paranoia Text Encryption Lite free?
Paranoia Text Encryption Lite is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Underlayer free?
Underlayer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Paranoia Text Encryption Lite or Underlayer have ads?
Underlayer shows ads; Paranoia Text Encryption Lite does not.
Which is updated more often, Paranoia Text Encryption Lite or Underlayer?
Paranoia Text Encryption Lite ships an update every 2 months, and Underlayer monthly. Most recently, Paranoia Text Encryption Lite was updated on October 29, 2026 and Underlayer on October 28, 2026.

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