PhotoNote vs IceVault
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
PhotoNote
Capture information visually by taking photos instead of typing. Organize your visual notes with tabs and colored tags. Photos are stored within the app, preventing clutter in your device's photo gallery.
- Capture notes via camera
- Organize with tabs
- Categorize with colored tags
- Internal photo storage
- Reorder notes and tags
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Instead of typing letters on the keyboard, I'm sure there are times when I take a picture and use it as a note instead. However, there is a risk that the photo folder will be flooded with notes. It is this application that is useful in such a case. All you have to do is take a picture with the built-in camera. You can organize the notes you have taken with tabs. In addition, the photos you took will be saved in the app, so you won't clutter up your photo folder! Usage examples: - Receipt - Timetable - Cooking Recipes - Deadline for reports written on the blackboard - Organize the screenshot. In addition, you can separate the notes you took with colored tags for each category. Tags can be added, deleted, and reordered from the pre-prepared colors. You can also reorder your notes.
IceVault
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Design the structure. Build your database. IceVault is an encrypted, local-only database that lets you design the structure yourself. Create databases for bank accounts, reading logs, business cards, warranties, Wi-Fi and more. Password managers are built around logins. Notes apps offer freedom but can be hard to organize and search. IceVault sits in between. Define fields and types in a “template” — text, dates, money, photos, ratings, choices and more. The template becomes your form and data structure. Pin a template to a folder, and that folder becomes a purpose-built workspace with its own list and detail views. BUILD YOUR OWN STRUCTURE * 51 field types: text, number, date, money, rating, photo, choices, address, email, phone, URL, MAC / IP address, social handles, links, files, formulas and more * 12 field attributes: required, encrypted, searchable, auto-tag, show in list, unique, Markdown and more * Layout presets: cards, timelines, spec sheets, photo galleries and spreadsheet grid * Formula fields calculate values from number and money fields, such as quantity × unit price. Results are calculated on-device and never stored * Link items with the Link field and see incoming links under “Referenced By” * Draft templates with AI, then edit the result. Runs on-device with Apple Intelligence * Edit templates at any time — existing records update to match KEEP THINGS SAFE * Master password with Face ID / Touch ID unlock * Per-field AES-GCM encryption for passwords, PINs, card numbers and other sensitive data * Encryption keys are derived from your master password and never stored * iOS Data Protection on every database PUT THINGS IN * Rich input controls: date pickers, ratings, choice lists and more * Camera capture and document scanning with automatic edge correction * Attach files up to 50 MB and preview them in place * QR code scanning, live or from a photo * TOTP two-factor authentication from otpauth:// links * CSV import that builds a template from the header row * On-device writing assistance powered by Apple Intelligence — your text never leaves the device FIND IT AGAIN * Full-text search across every folder * Manual and automatic tags * Combined filters for keywords and choices USE YOUR DATA * Save links, text, photos and files from the iOS share sheet into an inbox, then file them later — no network needed * Schedule on-device reminders before renewals or expiries * Sum, average and count rows in spreadsheet folders * Tap fields to call, email, open Maps or Safari, or launch supported social apps * Render Markdown with headings, lists, tables and emphasis * Money fields support per-item currency codes, so USD and JPY can coexist HAND IT OVER * Each folder is a single document — copy it and its images come along * Encrypted .icevaultarchive files for complete backups * Share a folder with family, friends or groups using a one-time password * Share templates independently — fields only, with no stored values * Export spreadsheet folders to CSV for Excel or Numbers PRIVATE BY DESIGN * No account, sign-up, or email address required * No cloud. IceVault makes no network connections * No ads, analytics, or advertising SDKs. No usage data is collected * Works fully offline IMPORTANT If you forget your master password, encrypted fields cannot be recovered — not by anyone, including the developer. Keep your master password safe. FREE, WITH A ONE-TIME PRO UNLOCK Every feature is available in the free version: all field types, encryption, search, writing assistance, Markdown, import and export. The free version supports up to 3 folders. A one-time purchase of IceVault Pro removes that limit. No subscription. No account. COMES WITH 21 TEMPLATES Bank Account, Credit Card, Insurance Policy, Online Account, Wi-Fi, Router, Business Card, Customer, Contact, Book, Reading Log, Film, Photo Note, Vehicle, Purchase & Warranty, Trip Booking and so on. Use them as-is, customize them, or start from scratch.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: IceVault at none against PhotoNote's shown. PhotoNote's advantage is iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.2). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and device support 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
Both are free to download. PhotoNote sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $1.99 per month and IceVault sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
PhotoNote ships an update every 3 weeks, IceVault monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | PhotoNote | IceVault |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 2 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks — better | Monthly |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 — better | 26.2 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 35 MB | 8 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Satoshi Kobayashi | Kouichi Abe |
In-app purchases
PhotoNote
- Pro plan$1.991 Month
IceVault
- IceVault Pro$24.99









