Comparison

Guarded Key vs PanicVault

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

Head to head
About

Guarded Key

Securely store all your online identities, financial details, and product codes with robust 4096-bit encryption. Synchronize data across devices using iCloud or manage it locally for complete control. Generate strong passwords and receive reminders for expiring items.

Highlights
  • 4096-bit encryption
  • iCloud synchronization
  • Password generation
  • Secure storage for cards and contacts
  • Automatic sign-in
  • Portable license
Features
Read full description

Guarded Key is the most secure password manager which uses encrypted database to store all your online identities, bank accounts, credit/debit cards, contact information, product codes (software activation keys, serial numbers, registration codes). Optional iCloud - Synchronize iPhone/iPod/iPad and Mac OS X devices. FREE VERSION: Never expires, no ads, up to 32 records in the database (8 passwords + 8 cash items + 8 contacts + 8 products) FULL VERSION: Never expires, no ads, unlimited records in the database Demo database: load it and see Guarded Key in action! DATA MANAGEMENT Encrypted database is stored on your device. Use cloud service to enable database mirroring and synchronize data on all your devices from the cloud. The database uses very strong encryption, so database in the cloud and upload/download is absolutely safe. Local database on the device is the primary data source for the app. If the cloud service (or the internet) is not accessible for any reason, the app works with local database and you have your data under total control (unlike online password managers). Transition between offline and online is made seamlessly without any user interaction. You can always backup/restore data through iTunes on your desktop computer. DATA SECURITY Each record in the database is encrypted with 4096-bit key and 8 layers of encryption consisting of different encryption standards (AES, Triple DES, Blowfish, Twofish). Encrypted database can only be accessed after providing username and password (this is the only password you have to remember). Database is protected so well, that breaking 10 character password would take on a personal computer 8 billion years. FEATURES: * One master password - use one password forever (Face ID is optional and can be enabled for convenience) * iCloud - enable cloud service to synchronize data between iOS and Mac OS. * Portable license - copy your database to USB flash drive and use with desktop/laptop version of the app * Passwords - manage all your online accounts and passwords, sign into your favorite web sites with one-tap, or copy user name and password into pasteboard * Automatic (cryptographic) password - let Guarded Key generate strong passwords * Custom password - enter password manually or generate random password with one tap * Cryptographic Security Token - dynamic security token based on Certificate/RSA Signature * Cash - manage bank accounts and credit/debit cards * Contacts (address book) - names, birth dates, addresses, phone numbers, emails, social networks, Skype id * Products - product codes, serial numbers, software activation keys * Animated gauges - visual check of password strength and expiration dates * Reminders - birthdays and items about to expire * Strong encryption - 4096-bit key and 8 layers of encryption * Platform independent - use operating system of your choice * Browser independence - use with any web browser of your choice * Automatic sign in - the app starts web browser, navigates to web page and enters username and password * Shredder - database record is decrypted only when used and shredded (overwritten with zeros) when no longer needed * Computer and Mobile Device management - enhance safety by authorizing specific computers/mobile devices for Guarded Key sign-in * Import contacts from your device SUBSCRIPTIONS: • You can subscribe to access all premium features. • Payment will be charged to your 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 at the cost of the chosen package. • Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase. Guarded Key (Strong password to the Internet) Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

PanicVault

This app securely stores and manages your passwords and passkeys in an encrypted file. It offers offline access, syncs with cloud storage, and integrates with your device for autofill. Generate strong passwords and two-factor authentication codes.

Highlights
  • KeePass (.kdbx 4) compatibility
  • iCloud Drive & Google Drive sync
  • Passkeys (WebAuthn) support
  • AutoFill integration
  • Built-in Authenticator (TOTP)
  • Password & Passphrase Generator
  • Biometric Unlock
Features
Read full description

PanicVault is a secure, offline-first password manager that reads and writes the open KeePass (.kdbx) format. Store your vault on your device, on iCloud Drive, or on Google Drive -- you choose. Your data stays in a standard, portable file that works with KeePass, KeePassXC, Strongbox, and every other compatible app. WHY PANICVAULT? PanicVault gives you real ownership of your credentials. There is no proprietary cloud, no account to create, and no subscription fee. Your vault is a single encrypted file you can back up, move, or open in any KeePass-compatible app on any platform. KEY FEATURES: - KeePass (.kdbx 4) Compatibility Open and save vaults created by KeePass, KeePassXC, KeePassDX, Strongbox, and more. Entry history, custom fields, attachments, group hierarchy, custom icons, and recycle bin are fully supported. - iCloud Drive & Google Drive Sync Sync your vault across iPhone, iPad, and Mac through iCloud Drive or Google Drive. Smart entry-level merging preserves changes from every device. Conflicts are shown side by side so you pick the version you want. Sign in to multiple Google accounts and sync different vaults with different accounts. - Passkeys (WebAuthn) Store and manage passkeys alongside your passwords. Compatible with the KeePassXC passkey format for full cross-platform interoperability. - AutoFill Integration Fill usernames and passwords in Safari and apps with the system AutoFill credential provider. Override URLs let you match entries to sites with different login domains. - Built-in Authenticator (TOTP) Generate two-factor authentication codes right alongside your passwords. Scan a QR code or enter the secret manually. Compatible with all standard TOTP formats. - Password & Passphrase Generator Create strong random passwords or memorable passphrases from the EFF wordlist. A live strength meter shows you exactly how secure each password is. - Biometric Unlock Unlock with Face ID or Touch ID. Your master password is stored in the Secure Enclave keychain -- never transmitted anywhere. - Yubikey unlock You can protect a vault with a physical YubiKey: YubiKey challenge-response over NFC on iPhone, and over USB on Mac. - Offline First Every feature works without an internet connection. Cloud sync is optional and happens only when you choose to enable it. - Bulk Operations & Drag and Drop Select multiple entries at once to move or delete them in bulk. On Mac, drag entries between groups and drag groups to reorganize your hierarchy. - Organize with Groups and Tags Create nested folders to sort your entries. Reorder and customize groups with notes and custom icons. Add tags for cross-cutting categories. Search across titles, usernames, URLs, and notes instantly. - Favicon Auto-Fetch Tap a button to automatically download a website's icon and set it as the entry's custom icon -- the quickest way to make entries recognizable at a glance. - Default Vault & Keyboard Shortcuts Set a default vault that opens automatically on launch. On Mac, use full keyboard shortcuts for search, new entries, password generation, locking, and more. - Entry History & Attachments Every password change is saved automatically. Attach files like recovery codes, certificates, or documents to any entry. - Custom Colors and Icons Personalize entries with text color, background color, and 69 built-in KeePass icons or your own custom images. SECURITY: PanicVault uses AES-256 or ChaCha20 encryption with Argon2d/Argon2id key derivation. Clipboard auto-clear, configurable lock timeout, and periodic master password re-entry keep your data safe even if your device is left unattended. PLATFORM: Available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac with a single universal purchase. No subscription, no account, no tracking.

Screenshots

Guarded Key4 screens
PanicVault4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Guarded Key at Free against PanicVault's $4.99. Guarded Key also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.0) and review sentiment (100% vs 88%). PanicVault's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months). On ratings volume, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

Guarded Key is free to download; PanicVault costs $4.99 up front. Guarded Key sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. PanicVault asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Guarded Key holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 2 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of Guarded Key's written reviews are positive against 88% of PanicVault's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Guarded Key ships an update every 2 months, PanicVault every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Guarded Key versus PanicVault: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGuarded KeyPanicVault
PriceFree — better$4.99
Rating5.0 (3 ratings) — better4.0 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better87.5% of reviews
Number of ratings3 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS18.617.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size11 MB37 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRobert JanikPierre Stanislas

Customer experience

Guarded Key

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

PanicVault

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive87.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative12.5%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Guarded Key

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Subscription (1 Month)$0.991 Month
  • Annual Subscription (1 year)$9.991 Year
One-time1
  • Full version$19.99
None

PanicVault

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Guarded Key free?
Guarded Key is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PanicVault free?
PanicVault costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Guarded Key or PanicVault?
Guarded Key is rated higher. Guarded Key averages 5.0 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while PanicVault averages 4.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Guarded Key or PanicVault have ads?
Neither Guarded Key nor PanicVault shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Guarded Key or PanicVault?
Guarded Key ships an update every 2 months, and PanicVault every 2 weeks. Most recently, Guarded Key was updated on October 29, 2026 and PanicVault on October 28, 2026.

Other comparisons