# App Lock™ vs Secret Message

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Secret Message at none against App Lock™'s 6. Secret Message also leads on ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.0). App Lock™'s advantage is update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 8 months). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. App Lock™ sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Secret Message asks for nothing beyond the download.

App Lock™ ships an update every 5 weeks, Secret Message every 8 months. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | App Lock™ | Secret Message |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (2.6K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/app-lock-locked-apps-vault/id1481979331/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **2.6K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 18.9% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 weeks** | Every 8 months |
| Monetization | Subscription | — |
| Size | 41 MB | 42 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPod** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Plane Cubes](https://appshunter.io/developer/1712487303) | [Pramod Tapaniya](https://appshunter.io/developer/1658474335) |

## What reviewers say

### App Lock™

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/app-lock-locked-apps-vault/id1481979331)

Secure your digital life by locking apps, protecting photos and videos in a private vault, and browsing the web anonymously. Store contacts, passwords, and notes safely with passcode protection.

**Highlights:** Lock Apps, Photo & Video Vault, Private Browser, Secure Notes & Passwords, Passcode Protection, Custom Albums

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

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Access Weekly | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| Hide Apps Pro Week | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Access Monthly | $7.99 | per month |
| Premium Access Yearly | $19.99 | per year |
| Start 7 Day Trial | $19.99 | per year |
| Hide Apps Pro Year | $39.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- ⭐ Amazing
- 🔒 Privacy-focused
- 📂 Useful for storing files

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔐 Locked content behind paywall
- 🤑 Expensive subscription
- 🔍 Misleading app description
- 🐛 Bugs and glitches
- 🤯 Frustrating user experience

**Reported bugs**

- Content locked after free trial ends
- Unable to access stored files even after subscription
- App crashes or freezes frequently

**Requested features**

- Allow access to stored content without subscription
- Provide clear information about subscription requirements
- Improve app stability and fix bugs


### 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 App Lock™ free?

App Lock™ 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 App Lock™ or Secret Message have ads?

App Lock™ shows ads; Secret Message does not.

### Which is updated more often, App Lock™ or Secret Message?

App Lock™ ships an update every 5 weeks, and Secret Message every 8 months. Most recently, App Lock™ was updated on October 13, 2026 and Secret Message on October 10, 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.*