# Lighthouse vs Data Guard

The clearest difference is monetization model: Data Guard at free with in-app purchases against Lighthouse's subscription. Lighthouse's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 4 days vs monthly). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Lighthouse sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $10.99 per 7 days and Data Guard sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Lighthouse holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 914 and 733 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 41% of Lighthouse's written reviews are positive against 47% of Data Guard's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Lighthouse ships an update every 4 days, Data Guard monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Lighthouse | Data Guard |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (914 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lighthouse-safe-your-data/id1664768232/reviews)** | [4.1 (733 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/data-guard-secure-vault/id6449152299/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **914** | 733 |
| Positive reviews | 41.5% of reviews | **47.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 days** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 202 MB | 144 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Omet Einhorn](https://appshunter.io/developer/1664768234) | [ZipoApps](https://appshunter.io/developer/1671444635) |

## What reviewers say

### Lighthouse

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lighthouse-safe-your-data/id1664768232)

Enhance your online security with multi-level protection. Features include a secure VPN, a database of compromised accounts, advanced ad and phishing filters for browsing, and a secret vault for private data. Learn tips to stay safe from scammers.

**Highlights:** Secure VPN for private internet connection, Compromised account database check, Over 50,000 ad and phishing filters, Secret vault for private data, Internet safety tips and guidance

**Features:** Safari Extension, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly premium offer | $10.99 | per 7 days |
| 3days free annual subscription | $79.99 | per year |
| Lifetime subscription | $89.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Amazing app
- 🔒 Keeps data safe
- 👍 Helpful and useful

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Freezes phone
- 🔒 Scam/not trustworthy
- 💰 Expensive subscription
- 🔒 Fake hacking notifications

**Reported bugs**

- Incompatible with other apps
- Subscription issues

**Requested features**

- Ability to cancel subscription
- Allow VPN location change


### Data Guard

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/data-guard-secure-vault/id6449152299)

Secure your personal data with a secret folder for photos, videos, and documents. It also includes an adblocker, internet security features, and checks for leaked passwords and data breaches to protect your identity.

**Highlights:** Secret folder for photos, videos, and documents, Hidden albums, Adblocker and tracker protection, Internet security and connection speed tests, Leaked password and data breach checker, Identity theft protection

**Features:** Safari Extension, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlimited Access | $0.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly premium offer | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Unlimited Access | $8.99 | per 7 days |
| Unlimited Access | $9.99 | per year |
| Unlimited Access | $19.99 | per month |
| Unlimited Access | $29.99 | per month |
| Unlimited Access | $39.99 | per year |
| Unlimited Access | $49.99 | per year |
| Lifetime | $59.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Lighthouse free?

Lighthouse is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Data Guard free?

Data Guard is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Lighthouse or Data Guard?

Lighthouse is rated higher. Lighthouse averages 4.5 out of 5 from 914 ratings, while Data Guard averages 4.1 from 733 ratings.

### Do Lighthouse or Data Guard have ads?

Data Guard shows ads; Lighthouse does not.

### Which is updated more often, Lighthouse or Data Guard?

Lighthouse ships an update every 4 days, and Data Guard monthly. Most recently, Lighthouse was updated on September 20, 2026 and Data Guard on September 18, 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.*