# Photo/Message Lock vs App Lock, Hide Passwords Apps

The clearest difference is monetization model: App Lock, Hide Passwords Apps at freemium against Photo/Message Lock's subscription. App Lock, Hide Passwords Apps also leads on ratings volume (9.7K vs 787). On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Photo/Message Lock sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and App Lock, Hide Passwords Apps sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

App Lock, Hide Passwords Apps holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: App Lock, Hide Passwords Apps has 9.7K ratings behind it against 787, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 43% of Photo/Message Lock's written reviews are positive against 41% of App Lock, Hide Passwords Apps's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Photo/Message Lock ships an update monthly, App Lock, Hide Passwords Apps every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Photo/Message Lock | App Lock, Hide Passwords Apps |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (787 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/photomessage-lock-safecloud/id1339555230/reviews) | **[4.6 (9.7K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/app-lock-hide-passwords-apps/id1614510749/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 787 | **9.7K** |
| Positive reviews | **43.2% of reviews** | 40.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Freemium** |
| Size | 54 MB | 71 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Shesek LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1339555229) | [CLEARPATH ACQUISITIONS LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1814364927) |

## What reviewers say

### Photo/Message Lock

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/photomessage-lock-safecloud/id1339555230)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Subscription | $9.99 | per month |
| Premium subscription | $59.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on launch
- Data loss issues
- Subscription management problems

**Requested features**

- Expand chat app support beyond WhatsApp
- Add password recovery option


### App Lock, Hide Passwords Apps

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/app-lock-hide-passwords-apps/id1614510749)

Secure your digital life with this app that locks and hides your applications, photos, videos, and passwords. Automate app blocking based on time or location, and manage sensitive data with ease. It's your all-in-one solution for comprehensive privacy protection.

**Highlights:** Lock and block any app, Automated app blocking by schedule, Location-based app locking, Photo and video vault, Password management, Secret contacts and duplicate cleaner, Private camera

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| App Lock Unlimited | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| App Lock - Pro | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| App Lock Unlimited | $9.99 | per month |
| App Lock - Pro | $12.99 | per month |
| App Lock Unlimited | $14.99 | per month |
| App Lock Unlimited | $19.99 | per 6 months |
| App Lock Unlimited | $24.99 | per year |
| App Lock - Pro | $29.99 | per year |
| App Lock - Pro | $34.99 | per year |
| App Lock Unlimited | $79.99 | per year |
| App Lock Unlimited | $34.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Amazing
- 🔒 Fantastic all-in-one security solution
- 👍 User-friendly and reliable
- 🔒 Provides great security and privacy
- 👍 Seamless integration

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Doesn't work as advertised
- 🐛 Buggy and freezes
- 💰 Expensive/Requires subscription
- 🐛 Outdated instructions
- 🐛 Doesn't actually hide apps

**Reported bugs**

- Doesn't lock or hide anything
- Subscription popup issues
- Locking process not working
- Shortcuts not working as expected

**Requested features**

- Backup data option
- Support for more apps to lock


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Photo/Message Lock free?

Photo/Message Lock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is App Lock, Hide Passwords Apps free?

App Lock, Hide Passwords Apps is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Photo/Message Lock or App Lock, Hide Passwords Apps?

App Lock, Hide Passwords Apps is rated higher. Photo/Message Lock averages 4.4 out of 5 from 787 ratings, while App Lock, Hide Passwords Apps averages 4.6 from 9.7K ratings.

### Do Photo/Message Lock or App Lock, Hide Passwords Apps have ads?

Neither Photo/Message Lock nor App Lock, Hide Passwords Apps shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Photo/Message Lock or App Lock, Hide Passwords Apps?

Photo/Message Lock ships an update monthly, and App Lock, Hide Passwords Apps every 3 weeks. Most recently, Photo/Message Lock was updated on September 23, 2026 and App Lock, Hide Passwords Apps on September 24, 2026.

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