# Photo/Message Lock vs App Lock

The clearest difference is review sentiment: App Lock at 86% against Photo/Message Lock's 43%. App Lock also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and update cadence (every 5 days vs monthly). Photo/Message Lock's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (787 vs 120). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Photo/Message Lock sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. App Lock asks for nothing beyond the download.

App Lock holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Photo/Message Lock has 787 ratings behind it against 120, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 43% of Photo/Message Lock's written reviews are positive against 86% of App Lock's.

Photo/Message Lock ships an update monthly, App Lock every 5 days. Both last shipped on September 23, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Photo/Message Lock | App Lock |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (787 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/photomessage-lock-safecloud/id1339555230/reviews) | **[4.6 (120 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/app-lock-lock-apps/id6475538115/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **787** | 120 |
| Positive reviews | 43.2% of reviews | **85.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Ad-supported** |
| Size | 54 MB | 7 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Shesek LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1339555229) | [秀珍 黄](https://appshunter.io/developer/1756029312) |

## 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

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/app-lock-lock-apps/id6475538115)

Manage your phone usage and protect your privacy with this app. It offers robust parental controls, allows you to lock specific applications, and helps you set time limits to combat phone addiction. Secure your data and control your digital well-being.

**Highlights:** Lock specific apps, Parental control features, Prevent app deletion, Secure unlock methods (Face ID, fingerprint, password), Automatic app relocking, Customizable app modes, Set app usage time limits

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked 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 no in-app purchases.

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

App Lock is rated higher. Photo/Message Lock averages 4.4 out of 5 from 787 ratings, while App Lock averages 4.6 from 120 ratings.

### Do Photo/Message Lock or App Lock have ads?

App Lock shows ads; Photo/Message Lock does not.

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

Photo/Message Lock ships an update monthly, and App Lock every 5 days. Most recently, Photo/Message Lock was updated on September 23, 2026 and App Lock on September 23, 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.*