Comparison

Photo/Message Lock vs App lock

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

Head to head
About

Photo/Message Lock

Securely store private photos, videos, and messages in a personal cloud vault. Protect your sensitive data with multi-factor authentication and biometric unlock options. Easily import chats from popular messaging apps.

Highlights
  • Multi-factor authentication
  • Cloud storage for private data
  • Import chats from WhatsApp and Line
  • Biometric unlock (TouchID, FaceID)
  • Optional cloud syncing
  • Password recovery via multi-factor authentication
Features
Read full description

Have messages, photos or videos that are so private you want to keep on a separate safe cloud only you could access? This app is for you! The only app that enables multi-factor authentication to access your cloud stored private data! Easily backup your popular application's messages (including videos, photos etc) in the cloud securely and safely. Currently fully support importing chats from WhatsApp and Line. Other chats, photos & videos could be imported manually. Make any of your conversation, photos or videos private easily and keep those behind a lock only you have access to. You can unlock your saved chats, photos or videos using TouchID, FaceID or a passcode (depend on your device capability) Store all your private conversations, photos and videos on a secure cloud which could be unlocked by you only. Syncing your data with our cloud and login is optional. If you decide to store your data in our cloud and you forget your password you can restore it by multiple factor authentications so you would have access to this private data always. To have access to the cloud data you would need to have access to the email and phone number you have provided. Important: The app doesn't add a lock to the original app, it is used to store your sensitive data and chats in a safe cloud. It is your responsibility to delete those chats from the original device. ----------------------------------- Information about the auto-renewable nature of the subscription - If you want to use our service, we offer you cloud archiving service. With subscribing you will get 10GB cloud disk space. - Subscription period is monthly or yearly. Every month or year your subscription renews. - Prices for subscriptions depends on which package you choose and will be seen in payment screen. - Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. - Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. - Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal. - Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase. - Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable. - You can cancel your subscription via this url: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202039 - Privacy policy: http://privacy.safecloudapp.com - Term of use: http://tos.safecloudapp.com - Subscription Information : http://subscription.safecloudapp.com ----------------------------------- DISCLAIMER Unofficial Product. Any product names, logos, brands, and other trademarks or images featured or referred to within this app are the property of their respective trademark holders. Any of these trademark holders are not affiliated with us, our products, or our apps. They do not sponsor or endorse this app or any of our online products. Get updates also on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SafeCloudApp

About

App lock

Secure your apps with custom passwords and personalized icons. This utility allows you to hide apps, change their appearance, and set up biometric unlocking for enhanced privacy and a unique device aesthetic.

Highlights
  • Lock and hide apps
  • Customize app icons with photos or built-in library
  • Personalize app names
  • Set passcode locks
  • Support TouchID/FaceID unlocking
  • Batch customization of icons and names
Features
Read full description

App lock - passcode Lock apps is an app that supports batch customization of app icons and app names to set passwords for unlocking apps. *******Application features******* #Lock & Hide apps,protect privacy #Customize app icons. It supports selecting photos from photo albums as app icons, selecting icons from the built-in icon library, or freely defining color icons. Personalized app icons beautify mobile desktop icons #Customize the app name and set your favorite name #Set the app password lock, enter the unlock password to open the app #TouchID / FaceID unlocking is supported, and the app can be opened through TouchID or FaceID #Change the app icon, a variety of icons for you to choose from *******Use help******* 1、How to make an app icon lock? Please refer to Me -> Use help -> app icon creation instructions. 2、How do I hide the app icon? Please refer to Me -> Use help -> App hiding operation guide. 3、For some common problems, please refer to Me -> Use help -> common problems. In addition, if you encounter other problems during use or provide us with product suggestions, you can give us feedback and suggestions through [Me - > About us - > Feedback]. About premium subscriptions: The subscription price is 25 yuan/month after 18 yuan in the first month of monthly subscription, 40 yuan per quarter, and 98 yuan for permanent one-time purchase. The price will change with the marketing policy at that time. Monthly and quarterly subscriptions are automatically renewed unless automatic renewal is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. The account will charge the renewal fee within 24 hours before the end of the current period, and confirm that the renewal fee subscription can be managed by the user, and you can turn off automatic renewal by going to the user's Appstore account settings after purchase. Terms of Use: https://www.iconslock.com/en_userterms.html Privacy policy: https://www.iconslock.com/en_privacy.html

Screenshots

Photo/Message Lock4 screens
App lock4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: App lock at free with in-app purchases against Photo/Message Lock's subscription. App lock also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs monthly). Photo/Message Lock's advantage is review sentiment (43% vs 13%) and rating (4.4 vs 4.1). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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. Photo/Message Lock sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and App lock sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Photo/Message Lock holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 796 and 763 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 43% of Photo/Message Lock's written reviews are positive against 13% of App lock's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Photo/Message Lock ships an update monthly, App lock every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Photo/Message Lock versus App lock: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPhoto/Message LockApp lock
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (796 ratings) — better4.1 (763 ratings)
Positive reviews43.2% of reviews — better12.5% of reviews
Number of ratings796 — better763
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.014.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size54 MB35 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperShesek LLCChangsha baixing Network Technology Co., Ltd

Customer experience

Photo/Message Lock

All ratings787 ratings
Positive84.5%
Neutral5.5%
Negative10.0%
Written reviews44 reviews
Positive43.2%
Neutral6.8%
Negative50.0%

App lock

All ratings757 ratings
Positive72.8%
Neutral6.6%
Negative20.6%
Written reviews48 reviews
Positive12.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative87.5%

User reviews

Photo/Message Lock

From 796 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 🔒 Secure data protection
  • 💡 Innovative features

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Unreliable app performance
  • 💔 Password recovery issues
  • 🚫 Doesn't work as advertised

App lock

From 763 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🔒 Secure app locking
  • 💡 Customization options

Room to improve

  • 🚫 Requires subscription for basic features
  • 🌐 Non-English interface
  • ⚠️ Unreliable functionality
  • 💰 Expensive pricing

Bugs and requests

Photo/Message Lock

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App crashes on launch
  • Data loss issues
  • Subscription management problems

Requested features

2 requests
  • Expand chat app support beyond WhatsApp
  • Add password recovery option

App lock

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App crashes frequently
  • Locked apps can still be accessed
  • Subscription issues

Requested features

3 requests
  • Add English language support
  • Improve user interface
  • Provide free trial option

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Photo/Message Lock

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Subscription7 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Premium subscription7 Days trial$59.991 Year
3 purchases

App lock

Subscriptions2
  • 应用图标锁高级版月订阅1 Month trial$3.991 Month
  • 应用图标锁高级版包季订阅$5.993 Months
One-time1
  • 应用图标锁一次性购买永久解锁划算$14.99

Questions

Is Photo/Message Lock free?
Photo/Message Lock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is App lock free?
App lock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Photo/Message Lock or App lock?
Photo/Message Lock is rated higher. Photo/Message Lock averages 4.4 out of 5 from 796 ratings, while App lock averages 4.1 from 763 ratings.
Do Photo/Message Lock or App lock have ads?
Neither Photo/Message Lock nor App lock shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Photo/Message Lock or App lock?
Photo/Message Lock ships an update monthly, and App lock every 2 weeks. Most recently, Photo/Message Lock was updated on October 24, 2026 and App lock on October 24, 2026.

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