Comparison

Bulbul vs Scout

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

Head to head
About

Bulbul

Securely store photos and files in separate, password-protected spaces. Each code unlocks a unique vault, preventing a single password from revealing all your data. Features include a file manager, markdown editor, private browser, and camera, with optional Face ID/Touch ID.

Highlights
  • Multiple codes for separate vaults
  • Integrated file manager
  • Markdown editor for notes
  • Private in-app browser
  • Direct camera saving
  • Optional Face ID/Touch ID
Features
Read full description

When you have to hand over your phone, open only the space you are fine showing. Bulbul is a decoy folder and a vault in one: every code opens a different space, and every code opens a real one, so nothing looks hidden. Text codes, patterns, and numeric codes each open a separate space for photos, files, notes, links, and web research. Decoy by design - Keep a decoy code and a real code side by side. - No list of spaces is shown anywhere in the app, not even how many exist. - Nothing looks locked, so nobody asks you to unlock it. Code-addressed spaces - Text codes, patterns, and numeric codes can each open a different space. - There is no exposed list of every space in the app. - There is no master password that opens everything at once. - Decoy spaces are natural: every code opens a real, separate space. Capture into the right place - Share files, photos, and links into Bulbul from other apps. - Pick the code for the space where the item belongs. - Save YouTube and web links as shortcuts inside the right project. - Pin widgets to jump directly into a specific space and tab. Work inside each space - File manager for folders, documents, images, PDFs, and videos. - Markdown editor for private notes and read mode. - Camera that saves directly into the active space, not your camera roll. - Built-in browser with a separate session per space. - Per-space iCloud sync controls when you want a space to stay local. Made for people who - Keep work files, family photos, project notes, and receipts in separate contexts. - Share a device but do not want one visible folder of private material. - Prefer opening only the space they need, instead of unlocking everything. Important - Forgotten codes cannot be recovered. - Bulbul stores data on your device and in the iCloud account you explicitly enable. Requires iOS 26 or later. Universal app for iPhone and iPad.

About

Scout

A text-first internet browser for iOS that prioritizes simplicity and privacy. It offers a lightweight alternative to the modern web, focusing on content and speed without ads or trackers.

Highlights
  • Gemini capsule browsing
  • Text and Gemini rendering
  • Back/forward history and bookmarks
  • Interactive capsule input handling
  • TOFU certificate verification
  • Client certificate support
  • Media viewing and saving
Features
Read full description

Scout is a native iOS client for the Gemini protocol; a lightweight, text-first alternative to the modern web built around simplicity, privacy, and content. No ads. No trackers. No JavaScript. Just pages written by real people, served fast. Features - Browse any Gemini capsule with full text/gemini rendering - Navigate with back/forward history and bookmarks - Handle input prompts for interactive capsules - TOFU (Trust On First Use) certificate verification for privacy-respecting security - Client certificate support for authenticated capsules - Media viewing and saving support - Clean and minimal styles

Screenshots

Bulbul4 screens
Scout2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Scout at 4.0 against Bulbul's 2.0. Scout also leads on ads (none vs shown) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). On price, ratings volume, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Scout holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 2.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 2 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Bulbul versus Scout: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBulbulScout
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.0 (1 ratings)4.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings12 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 days—
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS26.0 — better26.1
Further details — not scored
Size114 MB1 MB
Age rating17+17+
Developerheewook shinSteven Simkins

In-app purchases

None

Bulbul

No in-app purchases

None

Scout

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Bulbul free?
Bulbul is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Scout free?
Scout is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Bulbul or Scout?
Scout is rated higher. Bulbul averages 2.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Scout averages 4.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Bulbul or Scout have ads?
Bulbul shows ads; Scout does not.

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