Comparison

privateFilesApp vs PDF Locker

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

Head to head
About

privateFilesApp

Features
Read full description

The privateFiles app provides secure storage for your files. It does that by 3 layers of protection: - app level - by app passcode; - folder level - by a password; - individual file level - by allowing to protect file by its own password. These levels of protection are completely Optional, you don't have to use all (any) of them. Use privateFiles for: - Storing files - Organizing and protecting important documents What makes privateFiles app different? โ€ข Intuitive design and interface โ€ข Easy to import, organize and view files โ€ข Supports wide range of file formats: Word, Excel, PDF, ZIP, text, html, images, videos, presentations โ€ข ALL basic and advanced features are available in FREE version Basic Features: - The app works on phones and tables - Easy to use and Intuitive interface - Detailed Help system - 3 layers of protection - Stores and protects files - Can protect app access by passcode (PIN) code with full support for Touch ID and Face ID - Allows to protect individual folder by a password - Can protect file by its own password Advanced Features (all available in FREE version): โ€ข Unlimited number of folders โ€ข Unlimited number of stored files โ€ข Unlimited nested folders - folders within other folders โ€ข Privacy screen - hides app content in recent apps list โ€ข Share stored files with other people or apps โ€ข Easy to use Import and Export โ€ข Backup folders Paid Feature: - Remove Ads to make your app experience distraction-free Help & Support: - Use detailed Help system include with the app ("App Menu / Help") - Problems or questions? Use "App Menu / Contact Support" - Have suggestion for a new feature? Use "App Menu / Ask for a new feature" IMPORTANT: โ€ข The privateFiles app stores files directly on your device. โ€ข Your data is never uploaded to our servers. โ€ข Please ensure you perform backups of your phone or tablet to ensure if you lose your device, your data isn't lost.

About

PDF Locker

Features
Read full description

PDF WOLF lets you add password protection to any PDF, directly on your device. No cloud uploads. No accounts. No servers involved. Your files stay private from start to finish. HOW IT WORKS Import any PDF from Files, iCloud Drive, or any app on your device. Choose to generate a cryptographically strong random password automatically, or enter your own. PDF WOLF applies industry-standard PDF encryption on-device, then verifies the result before presenting it to you. Once protection is complete, you can preview the result. Saving the protected PDF to Files or sharing it directly requires a Pro plan. WHAT YOU GET โ€” Import any PDF from Files or iCloud Drive โ€” Generate a strong random password with one tap โ€” Enter and confirm your own password manually โ€” On-device encryption โ€” your PDF never leaves your iPhone or iPad โ€” Verification step confirms encryption worked before you save โ€” Password vault: all passwords stored securely in your device's Keychain โ€” Reveal, copy, or reference any saved password from the Passwords tab โ€” Protection history with thumbnail previews of past protected files โ€” Save protected PDFs directly to Files (Pro) โ€” Share protected PDFs via AirDrop, Mail, Messages and more (Pro) PRIVACY FIRST PDF WOLF uses no analytics, no tracking, and no advertising SDKs. It communicates only with Apple's App Store to process purchases. Everything else happens entirely on your device. PRO PLAN A Pro plan (Weekly or Lifetime) unlocks the ability to save protected PDFs to the Files app and share them via the iOS share sheet. The protection process itself can be experienced before purchasing โ€” Pro gates only the final file delivery. Passwords are stored in your device's Keychain, the same secure storage used by banks and password managers. PDF WOLF never sees or stores your passwords on any server. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy policy: https://1kbapps.com/pdfwolf/

Screenshots

privateFilesApp4 screens
PDF Locker4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: PDF Locker at every 5 months against privateFilesApp's every 29 months. privateFilesApp's advantage is iOS requirement (12.2 vs 17.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

Both are free to download. privateFilesApp sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and PDF Locker sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

privateFilesApp ships an update every 29 months, PDF Locker every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on August 24, 2026 and August 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences ยท 4 level
privateFilesApp versus PDF Locker: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterprivateFilesAppPDF Locker
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 29 monthsEvery 5 months โ€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod โ€” betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.2 โ€” better17.0
Further details โ€” not scored
Size34 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMaximumSoft Corp.Vikram Singh

In-app purchases

1 purchases

privateFilesApp

One-time1
  • Remove ads$1.99
3 purchases

PDF Locker

Subscriptions2
  • Mobile Pro Access Weekly$4.997 Days
  • Mobile Pro Access Yearly$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • Pro Lifetime Unlock$19.99

Questions

Is privateFilesApp free?
privateFilesApp is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PDF Locker free?
PDF Locker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do privateFilesApp or PDF Locker have ads?
Neither privateFilesApp nor PDF Locker shows ads.
Which is updated more often, privateFilesApp or PDF Locker?
privateFilesApp ships an update every 29 months, and PDF Locker every 5 months. Most recently, privateFilesApp was updated on August 24, 2026 and PDF Locker on August 25, 2026.

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