Discreet vs OutVault
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Discreet
Capture photos and videos discreetly using a black screen or custom screen mode. Features include autofocus, image stabilization, 4K video, and Apple Watch control. Instantly launch the camera with a Lock Screen widget for quick access. Keep your media private with a secure, built-in gallery.
- Black screen camera mode
- Customizable screen modes
- Autofocus and image stabilization
- 4K video recording
- Apple Watch control
- Lock Screen widget for instant launch
- Private in-app gallery
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The original top-rated Discreet Camera app for capturing photos and record videos discreetly without drawing attention. Thanks to the Black Screen Technology and the Custom Screen mode, you can shoot without lighting up your surroundings or interrupting the moment. Packed with powerful features—autofocus, image stabilization, burst mode, 4K video, Apple Watch control, and fully customizable commands—Discreet helps you capture sharp, well-composed shots even in challenging lighting. Never miss a moment: launch the camera instantly with the Lock Screen widget for quick access when timing matters. Whether you’re capturing a special memory without drawing attention or you simply prefer a more private, low-profile camera experience, Discreet is built for you. Perfect for concerts, live events, capturing evidences, street photography, and any situation where you don’t want a bright screen to disturb others, Discreet lets you capture photos and videos more subtly. Keep your photos and recordings private with a built-in gallery to store photos and videos safely. Your files are not uploaded to the cloud or to any server. Discover a better, more discreet way to capture the moments that matter with this secret camera recorder. Disclaimer: This app is not intended to violate the privacy of others. This is not a spy hidden camera . Please be aware of the laws in your area concerning using discreet image capturing devices and applications in your area. The developer of this application will not be held liable for the actions of any users. Always follow any applicable laws, rules, etc., regarding the use of imaging devices.
OutVault
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Your camera. Your rules. Zero compromise. OutVault is a professional-grade private camera that routes every photo and video directly into an encrypted, Face ID-protected vault on your device -- completely bypassing iOS Photos. The moment you press the shutter, your media is gone from the camera pipeline and locked inside your sandbox. Nothing ever touches your Camera Roll. WHY OUTVAULT? Most camera apps eventually save to iOS Photos. OutVault doesn't. It never writes anything to your Photos library. Your media lives exclusively in a sandboxed vault, protected by NSFileProtectionComplete -- the same encryption tier iOS uses for health records and banking data. PRIVATE BY DESIGN * Captures photos and videos directly into the app sandbox * Nothing is ever saved to your iOS Photos library -- not even for a millisecond * Face ID / Passcode lock on every launch and after backgrounding * NSFileProtectionComplete encryption -- files inaccessible while locked * No account, no sign-in, no third-party cloud * Disguise OutVault's Home Screen icon as Calculator, Notes, Weather, or Calendar * Share only when you choose -- via the standard iOS share sheet * Bring existing media in -- import from your Photos library or Files, or share directly from any app via the iOS share sheet * Silent shutter, where local law allows CLEAN, FOCUSED GALLERY * Full-resolution photo and video capture with a custom camera UI -- tap to focus, pinch to zoom, exposure control, and an optional horizon level * Thumbnail grid with smooth fade-in previews * Swipeable full-screen detail view with pinch-to-zoom and smooth zoom transitions * Long-press context menu for quick share or delete * Drag or tap to select multiple photos or videos, then share or delete them in bulk * Recently Deleted -- optionally keep deleted items for 24 hours, 7 days, or 30 days so you can restore them * Instant thumbnail generation -- no waiting OUTVAULT PREMIUM * Edit capture date, add a note and author to any photo or video, and search your vault by note * Strip EXIF metadata automatically before sharing * Auto-delete photos and videos on a schedule you set * Decoy Vault -- a second PIN opens a separate, harmless-looking gallery while your real vault stays completely hidden * Burn a tamper-evident timestamp into your photos, so the date and time become part of the image itself * Add your own watermark to the photos you share -- in a corner or as a repeating pattern * Evidence report -- a PDF with each item's capture details and SHA-256 hash, plus the original files in one ZIP, so anyone can verify nothing was changed * One-time lifetime purchase -- no subscription, ever WHO IS OUTVAULT FOR? Built for professionals who understand that the safest file is one that never ends up where it shouldn't: - Journalists documenting sensitive sources or scenes - Attorneys photographing privileged case evidence - Healthcare professionals capturing patient-related visuals - Privacy-conscious users tired of Photos syncing everything to iCloud SECURITY DETAILS * Storage path: Application Support/assets/ (outside Photos.app reach) * File protection: NSFileProtectionComplete on every asset * Authentication: LocalAuthentication (Face ID / Passcode) * Sharing: Standard UIActivityViewController -- you control what leaves No ads. No tracking of your media. No surprises.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: OutVault at every 8 days against Discreet's every 5 weeks. Discreet's advantage is device support (4 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 18.6). On price, ads and in-app purchases 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. Discreet sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and OutVault sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Discreet ships an update every 5 weeks, OutVault every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Discreet | OutVault |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.4 (2.1K ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 55.5% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 2.1K — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | Every 8 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 18.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 68 MB | 17 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Marco D'Amelio | Jaehoon Lee |
Bugs and requests
Discreet
Reported bugs
4 issues- Video recording stops unexpectedly
- Camera preview window cannot be disabled
- Microphone permission required even for photos
- Inconsistent video frame rates
Requested features
6 requests- Option to use custom wallpaper
- Volume button controls
- Zoom/wide-angle camera support
- Higher video resolutions
- Background recording
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- Ability to recover deleted content
OutVault
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Discreet
- Unlock all features$9.99
OutVault
- OutVault Premium$9.99
Questions
Is Discreet free?
Is OutVault free?
Do Discreet or OutVault have ads?
Which is updated more often, Discreet or OutVault?
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