Comparison

Secure Text Message vs Underlayer

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

Head to head
About

Secure Text Message

This app provides a secure method for sending private messages. It allows users to encrypt and decrypt text using a password, then send it directly via text message or email. Saved messages can also be copied to the clipboard.

Highlights
  • Encrypt and decrypt messages
  • Send as text message
  • Send as email
  • Save to clipboard
  • Landscape and portrait modes
  • Password protection
Features
Read full description

„Secure Text Message“ is an easy and save way to send secret messages. :: Encrypt and decrypt messages Using a self-selected password will scramble your messages. Based on your chosen password, the text can be unscrambled. :: Text-messages Send the encrypted or decrypted message directly from the app as a text-message. You don’t have to close the app in a complicated way. :: E-mail Send the encrypted or decrypted message directly from the app as an e-mail. You don’t have to close the app in a complicated way. :: Clipboard Save your encrypted or decrypted messages in your clipboard. :: Landscape and Portrait-mode To write with the large keyboard you just have to alternate your iPhone into landscape mode. :: And the best of all it’s free! Your data is NOT stored at any time anywhere! Just your opposite is able to decrypt your message with the right password.

About

Underlayer

Features
Read full description

UNDERLAYER - STEGANOGRAPHY MADE SIMPLE Transform ordinary images into secret carriers. Hide confidential messages invisibly within photos and share them through any messenger without raising suspicion. KEY FEATURES: HIDE SECRETS • Embed text messages invisibly into any image • Two encoding modes: Hidden (invisible pixels) and Open (colored frame) • Open mode survives messenger compression (Telegram, WhatsApp, etc.) • Share processed images directly or save to gallery REVEAL MESSAGES • Extract hidden text from steganographic images • Automatic detection of encoding method • Works with images received through messengers • Share intent support - open images directly from gallery WHY UNDERLAYER? • Simple & Intuitive - No cryptography knowledge required • Messenger-Friendly - Open mode designed for compressed sharing • Privacy First - All processing happens locally on your device • Universal - Works with JPG, PNG, WebP formats • No Account Required - Start using immediately USE CASES • Private communication through public channels • Watermarking images with hidden ownership data • Secure note-taking in plain sight • Educational tool for learning steganography • Fun way to send secret messages to friends SECURITY & PRIVACY • No internet connection required for processing • Your messages never leave your device • No data collection or tracking • Complete control over your secrets PREMIUM FEATURES • No banner ads at the bottom • No interstitial ad interruptions • Process unlimited images without ad breaks HOW IT WORKS 1. Select any image from your gallery 2. Enter your secret message 3. Choose encoding mode (Hidden or Open) 4. App embeds message into image pixels 5. Share through messengers or save locally 6. Recipient opens image in Underlayer to reveal message ENCODING MODES EXPLAINED HIDDEN MODE • Message embedded invisibly in image pixels • Completely undetectable to human eye • Best for uncompressed image sharing • Lost when image is compressed by messengers OPEN MODE • Message encoded as colored frame border • Visible as decorative edge around image • Survives Telegram, WhatsApp compression • Recommended for messenger sharing INTERNATIONAL • Available in English and Russian • More languages coming soon • Automatic language detection Whether you're a privacy enthusiast, security professional, or just curious about steganography - Underlayer makes it accessible to everyone. Download now and start hiding your secrets in plain sight! Terms of use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Secure Text Message4 screens
Underlayer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Secure Text Message at none against Underlayer's 1. Secure Text Message also leads on ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (7.1 vs 15.1). Underlayer's advantage is update cadence (every 5 months vs every 36 months). 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. Underlayer sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Secure Text Message asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Secure Text Message ships an update every 36 months, Underlayer every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Secure Text Message versus Underlayer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSecure Text MessageUnderlayer
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 36 monthsEvery 5 months — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS7.1 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size27 MB169 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGeekmeMihail Rukavishnikov

In-app purchases

None

Secure Text Message

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Underlayer

Subscriptions1
  • Premium$2.997 Days

Questions

Is Secure Text Message free?
Secure Text Message is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Underlayer free?
Underlayer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Secure Text Message or Underlayer have ads?
Underlayer shows ads; Secure Text Message does not.
Which is updated more often, Secure Text Message or Underlayer?
Secure Text Message ships an update every 36 months, and Underlayer every 5 months. Most recently, Secure Text Message was updated on September 30, 2026 and Underlayer on October 1, 2026.

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