# AppLocker vs Secret Message

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Secret Message at none against AppLocker's 8. Secret Message also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.4). AppLocker's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 8 months). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. AppLocker sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Secret Message asks for nothing beyond the download.

AppLocker ships an update every 2 weeks, Secret Message every 8 months. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 8, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | AppLocker | Secret Message |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.3 (391 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/applocker-passcode-lock-apps/id1132845904/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **391** | — |
| Positive reviews | 37.3% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 8 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 37 MB | 42 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.4 | **12.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Mac** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Denk Alexandru](https://appshunter.io/developer/551756299) | [Pramod Tapaniya](https://appshunter.io/developer/1658474335) |

## What reviewers say

### AppLocker

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/applocker-passcode-lock-apps/id1132845904)

Secure your sensitive apps with a password, Face ID, or Touch ID. Protect your privacy by preventing unauthorized access to any app on your device, including social media, banking, and photos. Features an emergency password to hide your private content.

**Highlights:** Password protect individual apps, Face ID and Touch ID support, Emergency password feature, Private gallery for photos/videos, Private notes, Removal protection

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Subscription | $2.99 | per month |
| Annual Subscription | $8.99 | per year |
| Annual Subscription | $11.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Access | $12.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Access | $17.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Amazing app for restricting yourself from games
- 🔒 Good app for security
- 👍 Simple to use
- 👍 Customizable
- 👍 Useful for families

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App can be hacked
- 🐛 Doesn't work as expected
- 🐛 Impossible to uninstall
- 🐛 Crashes and freezes
- 🐛 Forgets password and subscription

**Reported bugs**

- Doesn't accept correct password
- Locks entire system instead of just selected apps
- Blocks access to Activity Monitor and other system tools
- Doesn't work with latest macOS updates

**Requested features**

- Option to automatically lock apps after inactivity
- Ability to reset forgotten password
- Support for Touch ID/Face ID
- Ability to lock more than one app in free version
- Option to hide app icon


### Secret Message

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/secret-message-hide-message/id1669919031)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is AppLocker free?

AppLocker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Secret Message free?

Secret Message is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do AppLocker or Secret Message have ads?

Neither AppLocker nor Secret Message shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, AppLocker or Secret Message?

AppLocker ships an update every 2 weeks, and Secret Message every 8 months. Most recently, AppLocker was updated on September 21, 2026 and Secret Message on September 8, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*