Comparison

Microscope vs Hidden Photo Vault

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

Head to head
About

Microscope

Transform your iPhone into a high-magnification microscope. Explore the intricate details of everyday objects like skin, eyes, and hair with impressive digital zoom. Amaze others by revealing hidden cellular structures and fine particles.

Highlights
  • High-magnification digital zoom
  • Magnify skin and reveal cell structure
  • View inner eye details
  • Examine hair particles
  • Impress friends with detailed views
Features
Read full description

Turn your iPhone into a powerful electron microscope! Amaze your friends and trick them into believing that your iPhone also acts as a microscope and is capable of magnifying objects by thousands of times. Point the iPhone camera at your hands, and show your friends how the digital zoom magnifies your skin, revealing the cell structure with the precision and detail offered only by an expensive microscope! Aim the iPhone camera at your eye, and cause amazement when your screen will begin showing the inner parts of your eye, amongst blood vessels and various other filaments and cell. Finally, point the iPhone to your hair, and dazzle your friends as the tiniest particles your hair is made of begin to reveal themselves on the iPhone's screen!

About

Hidden Photo Vault

Securely store passwords, notes, photos, videos, contacts, and financial information. Features hardware encryption, biometric login, and local storage for ultimate privacy. Offers unlimited import/export and an in-app camera.

Highlights
  • Hardware encrypted data storage
  • Biometric login (Touch ID/Face ID)
  • Local data storage only
  • Unlimited media import/export
  • In-app camera for discreet capture
  • Secure storage for passwords and notes
Features
Read full description

As an IT Manager, I was amazed how often I got asked by colleagues: "What's my password, I forgot it”. This prompted me to create an app where everyone could securely store their passwords and secret notes. When a friend suggested expanding the app to include private Photos and Videos, I realized many people would appreciate a discreet way to keep intimate pictures hidden from their camera roll. To enhance the app further, I added features for securely storing Contacts and Bank Accounts or Credit Cards, ensuring it includes all the sensitive data people would want to Securely Protect on their phones and tablets. 1. Security Features - I prioritized user data protection by implementing the latest software and hardware technologies from Apple: *** All data is Hardware Encrypted using your Passcode or Touch ID/Face ID *** Log in using Touch ID, Face ID, or a Master Password each time you launch the app *** Data is stored locally on your device ONLY *** Any data entered is never sent anywhere, ensuring your privacy *** The Login Master Password set during the first launch can NOT be retrieved on request. It is ONLY stored on the user's system keychain and NO-ONE else has it - the user MUST memorise it 2. Usability Features: *** Unlimited import and export of media *** Photo slideshow capability for easy viewing *** A simple, user-friendly native iOS interface *** Sophisticated storage methods to ensure data preservation *** A fast and responsive Media Gallery *** Quick import from your camera roll with an option to delete the originals after importing *** An in-app camera for capturing private moments on-the-fly *** Auto-detection of addresses, phone numbers, and web links *** A clean, dark incognito design for discretion and is also better for the battery life With these features, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing your sensitive information is securely protected and easily accessible when you need it. ---------------------------------- Subscriptions: • Length of subscription is 1 year or 1 month for using the full app capabilities • Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase
• Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period
 • Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal 
• Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase • Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable ---------------------------------- Terms of use: http://www.universum-multimedia.com/Universum-Multimedia/Terms_of_use_for_LS.html

Screenshots

Microscope4 screens
Hidden Photo Vault4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Hidden Photo Vault at 90% against Microscope's 4%. Hidden Photo Vault also leads on rating (4.7 vs 2.0) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 10 months). Microscope's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and ads (none vs shown). On price 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. Hidden Photo Vault sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Microscope asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Hidden Photo Vault holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Hidden Photo Vault has 1.9K ratings behind it against 223, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 4% of Microscope's written reviews are positive against 90% of Hidden Photo Vault's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Microscope ships an update every 10 months, Hidden Photo Vault every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 23, 2026.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Microscope versus Hidden Photo Vault: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMicroscopeHidden Photo Vault
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.0 (223 ratings)4.7 (1.9K ratings) — better
Positive reviews4.3% of reviews89.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings2231.9K — better
Update frequencyEvery 10 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS3.1 — better12.0
Further details — not scored
Size8 MB30 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperLogSat LLCUniversum Multimedia OOD

Customer experience

Microscope

All ratings223 ratings
Positive23.3%
Neutral3.6%
Negative73.1%
Written reviews116 reviews
Positive4.3%
Neutral4.3%
Negative91.4%

Hidden Photo Vault

All ratings1,851 ratings
Positive93.2%
Neutral3.0%
Negative3.8%
Written reviews343 reviews
Positive89.8%
Neutral2.0%
Negative8.2%

User reviews

Microscope

From 223 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 😄 Fun prank app to trick friends
  • ✨ Crisp and beautifully magnified images
  • 📱 Doesn't crash
  • 🎯 Realistic camera integration at start

Room to improve

  • 😞 Displays same pre-loaded images regardless of input
  • 🚫 Misleading as fake microscope
  • 💾 Wastes storage and data
  • 🎬 Only shows pre-recorded videos
  • 😤 Repetitive content after first use

Hidden Photo Vault

From 1.9K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🔒 Secure storage
  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 🚀 Effective at keeping files private
  • 💡 Useful for storing passwords, photos, and other sensitive data
  • 👍 Reliable and stable

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Issues with video playback and file retrieval after updates
  • 🔒 Concerns about data security and lack of cloud backup
  • 💰 Complaints about paywall and forced subscriptions

Bugs and requests

Microscope

Reported bugs

6 issues
  • Information screen goes black and unresponsive
  • Cannot return to main screen from info screen
  • Camera recognition fails for non-hand/eye/hair objects
  • App shows same image even with camera covered
  • Works only once then requires app restart
Show 1 more
  • Selection screen doesn't function as intended

Requested features

7 requests
  • Show actual magnified images of scanned objects
  • Real microscope functionality
  • Ability to take multiple different pictures
  • Clearer description that app is a prank/gag
  • Update for iPod Touch with camera compatibility
Show 2 more
  • Remove pre-loaded limitation
  • Working information/selection screen

Hidden Photo Vault

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Videos not playing after app updates
  • Inability to retrieve or download stored files
  • App crashing or becoming unresponsive

Requested features

4 requests
  • Ability to create sub-folders
  • Failsafe for deleting all content after multiple incorrect password attempts
  • Decoy password option to protect sensitive data
  • Full-screen mode for better viewing of notes and documents

In-app purchases

None

Microscope

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

Hidden Photo Vault

Subscriptions2
  • 1 Month Full Access + No Ads$1.991 Month
  • 1 Year Full Access + No Ads$17.991 Year
One-time2
  • Hide Fullscreen AdsFree
  • Permanent Full Access + No Ads$29.99

Questions

Is Microscope free?
Microscope is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Hidden Photo Vault free?
Hidden Photo Vault is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Microscope or Hidden Photo Vault?
Hidden Photo Vault is rated higher. Microscope averages 2.0 out of 5 from 223 ratings, while Hidden Photo Vault averages 4.7 from 1.9K ratings.
Do Microscope or Hidden Photo Vault have ads?
Hidden Photo Vault shows ads; Microscope does not.
Which is updated more often, Microscope or Hidden Photo Vault?
Microscope ships an update every 10 months, and Hidden Photo Vault every 2 months. Most recently, Microscope was updated on October 23, 2026 and Hidden Photo Vault on October 23, 2026.

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