Comparison

IceVault vs Neatbase

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

Head to head
About

IceVault

Features
Read full description

Design your own private database. A database for everything you’d never put in the cloud. 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. Define fields in a “template” — text, dates, money, photos, ratings, choices and more — and it becomes your form and data structure. Pin a template to a folder for a purpose-built workspace BUILD YOUR OWN STRUCTURE * 60+ field types: text, number, date, duration, measurement, auto number, checklist, contact card, signature, recovery codes, money, rating, weather, photo, video, audio, barcode, choices, address, email, phone, URL, social handles, links, files, formulas and more * 12 field attributes: required, encrypted, searchable, auto-tag, show in list, unique, Markdown, per-item currency and more * Layout presets: cards, timelines, spec sheets, photo galleries and spreadsheet grid. Preview with sample values while you edit; choose how spec-sheet fields look * Formula fields calculate on-device from number and money fields, such as quantity × unit price, and can even use a value from a linked item * Link items and see incoming links under “Referenced By” * Draft templates with AI, on-device with Apple Intelligence * Edit templates 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 more * Videos and audio are encrypted too, and play without leaving an unencrypted copy * Keys are derived from your master password and never stored * iOS Data Protection on every database PUT THINGS IN * Camera capture and document scanning * Attach files up to 50 MB and preview them in place * Keep a short video (3 min) or audio (30 min) with an item * QR code and barcode scanning, live or from a photo. Show saved barcodes full screen at checkout * TOTP two-factor codes from otpauth:// links * CSV import that builds a template from the header row * On-device writing assistance with Apple Intelligence — your text never leaves the device FIND IT AGAIN * Full-text search across every folder * Manual and automatic tags; filters that combine keywords and choices USE YOUR DATA * Save links, text, photos, files and Apple Maps places from the share sheet into an inbox, then file them later * Open or lock IceVault, or send to the inbox, from Control Center and Shortcuts — what you stored is never shown * Get on-device reminders before renewals or expiries, or an alert when you arrive at a saved place — your location never leaves the device * Sum, average and count spreadsheet rows; chart columns as bars, lines, areas, points or a donut HAND IT OVER * Each folder is a single document, images included * Encrypted .icevaultarchive files for full backups * Share a folder with family, friends or groups using a one-time password * Distribute a folder to many people: read-only for them, not counted toward their free limit of 3 folders, and you can send updates * Share templates alone, without your data * Export spreadsheets to CSV and Markdown notes to PDF PRIVATE BY DESIGN * No account, sign-up or email address * No cloud. IceVault makes no network connections * No ads, analytics or tracking SDKs. No usage data is collected IMPORTANT If you forget your master password, encrypted fields cannot be recovered — not by anyone, including the developer. FREE, WITH A ONE-TIME PRO UNLOCK Every feature is free: all field types, encryption, search, writing assistance, 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 27 TEMPLATES Bank Account, Credit Card, Insurance Policy, Online Account, Wi-Fi, Business Card, Book, Film, Wine, Whisky, Vehicle, Purchase & Warranty, Trip Booking and more. Use them as-is, customize them, or start from scratch.

About

Neatbase

Organize any type of information with a flexible database app that feels like a notes app. Create custom collections with various field types, view data in cards or tables, and sync across devices. Offers offline access and robust privacy.

Highlights
  • Customizable notebooks with user-defined fields
  • Card and table views for data visualization
  • Offline access and iCloud sync
  • 27+ field types including images and formulas
  • Data export to CSV
  • Collaboration and web form creation (Pro)
Features
Read full description

The personal database that feels like a notes app. Build your own CRM, inventory, contact book, or any other collection in minutes — native, private, and synced with iCloud. Most notes apps give you a blank page. Neatbase gives you structure. Create a notebook, choose its fields, and adding notes becomes as easy as filling out a form. View everything as clean cards or a spreadsheet-style table — sort, filter, and group to see exactly what matters. WHAT WILL YOU BUILD? - A lightweight CRM — leads, deals, follow-ups, activity logs - A home inventory — photos, prices, barcodes - A client directory — tap to call, tap to email - A project plan — statuses, due dates, progress - A content calendar planned around publish dates - An expense log with categories and receipt photos - A library of your books, movies, and recipes — rated and tagged If you can describe it, you can collect it in Neatbase. A FIELD FOR EVERYTHING Choose from 27 field types: text and numbers, currency, dates with reminders, toggles, star ratings, color-coded tags, dropdowns, images, checklists, colors, durations, percent bars, barcodes and QR codes, tap-to-call phone and tap-to-email fields, secrets locked behind Face ID or Touch ID, buttons that open URLs — plus formulas, cross-notebook references, and comment threads with Pro. Change your mind anytime: add, rename, or reorder fields, and every existing note updates instantly. TWO VIEWS, ONE NOTEBOOK Browse and edit in a clean card view, or switch to a full table — resize and reorder columns, edit inline, copy and paste, navigate with the keyboard. Each notebook remembers your view, filters, and sorting. TRULY NATIVE. ACTUALLY FAST. Built in SwiftUI for iPhone, iPad, and Mac — one download covers all three. It launches instantly, works fully offline, and syncs through iCloud. No account to create, no password, no onboarding. Most database apps are websites in a wrapper — Neatbase feels like it shipped with your device. YOUR DATA IS NOBODY'S BUSINESS Your notes live on your device and sync securely through your own iCloud. No tracking, no analytics, no ads. Export everything to CSV anytime — even on the free plan. Your data is always yours. SHARE A NOTEBOOK THROUGH ICLOUD (PRO) Share and collaborate with anyone using their Apple Account. Shared notebooks stay in your iCloud, and our server never sees them. TURN ANY NOTEBOOK INTO A WEB FORM (PRO) Publish a form in a few taps. Anyone with the link can submit from any browser, and responses land in your notebook automatically. Add your logo, pick an accent color, share the link. Perfect for intake forms, signups, surveys, orders, and RSVPs. WORK WITH CLAUDE ON THE MAC (PRO) Let Claude, ChatGPT, and other AI assistants read and edit your notebooks on your Mac. Turn it on in Settings. FREE TO USE, FAIR TO UPGRADE Free includes 3 notebooks with 100 notes each, both views, iCloud sync, groups, templates, and CSV export. Neatbase Pro unlocks unlimited notebooks and notes, sharing, web forms, assistants on the Mac, and advanced fields — one simple yearly subscription, Family Sharing included. ALSO INCLUDED Notebook templates, Spotlight search, Home Screen widgets, reminders on date fields, nested groups, pinning, keyboard navigation, and custom icons for every notebook. Don't settle for a blank page. Collect and organize anything, your way. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://neatbase.com/privacy

Screenshots

IceVault4 screens
Neatbase4 screens

Verdict

The call

IceVault and Neatbase are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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. IceVault sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Neatbase sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $34.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
IceVault versus Neatbase: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterIceVaultNeatbase
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 daysEvery 3 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Freemium
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS26.2 — better26.4
Further details — not scored
Size15 MB13 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKouichi AbeSeb Fontan

In-app purchases

1 purchases

IceVault

One-time1
  • IceVault Pro$24.99
1 purchases

Neatbase

Subscriptions1
  • Neatbase Pro$34.991 Year

Questions

Is IceVault free?
IceVault is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Neatbase free?
Neatbase is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do IceVault or Neatbase have ads?
Neither IceVault nor Neatbase shows ads.
Which is updated more often, IceVault or Neatbase?
IceVault ships an update every 3 days, and Neatbase every 3 days. Most recently, IceVault was updated on November 3, 2026 and Neatbase on October 31, 2026.

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