Comparison

Backblaze vs Vigil

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

Head to head
About

Backblaze

Access and manage your cloud-backed-up files directly from your iOS device. Download, preview, and share files securely, with support for Face ID login. Keep your important data readily available wherever you go.

Highlights
  • Access backed-up files
  • Manage cloud storage
  • Face ID login
  • Search and download files
  • Image thumbnail previews
  • Share files
Read full description

Backblaze Mobile for iOS is a free app to view, download, and share files you have backed up to your Backblaze Personal Backup account. Easily access your files from devices running iOS 15+. Features: * Access files backed up to Backblaze Personal Backup * Manage buckets and files in Backblaze B2 Cloud Storage * Face ID access supported for login * Search for specific files and download to your iOS device * Thumbnail preview of downloaded image files * Share files via text, email, etc About Backblaze: * Founded in 2007 * 2.2+ Exabytes of customer data under storage * Recommended by About.com, The Verge, Lifehacker, re/code, Macworld... and hundreds of thousands of customers across over 175 countries "You will sleep so much better knowing you have Backblaze." - John Gruber "I've used other online backup, Backblaze is my favorite." - Marco Arment "I like and can recommend Backblaze." - Walt Mossberg

About

Vigil

This app provides location-based alerts for your destinations. Set a pin on the map and receive notifications when you enter a specified radius, ensuring you never miss your stop or a planned detour.

Highlights
  • Set destination pins
  • Customizable alert radius
  • Background operation
  • Save favorite destinations
  • iCloud sync and backup
  • Live Activities and Dynamic Island support
  • Widget support
Features
Read full description

Vigil: Destination Alerts Stop watching the map. Set a pin, sit back, and let Vigil alert you when you arrive. Whether you're commuting on the train, riding the bus, or traveling somewhere unfamiliar — Vigil watches your location so you don't have to. HOW IT WORKS Set a pin anywhere on the map and choose your alert distance. When you enter that radius, Vigil alerts you. That's it. USE IT FOR Never miss your stop on the train, bus, or cab - even if you fall asleep Get reminded to stop at the grocery store or gas station as you drive past FEATURES Works silently in the background Alerts you before you arrive Save and name your favorite destinations Syncs and backs up across your devices via iCloud Live Activities and Dynamic Island support Widget Support No need to keep the app open NO ADS. NO SUBSCRIPTIONS. NO ACCOUNT. NO FLUFF. Vigil is a tool, not a platform. There's nothing to sign up for, nothing to unlock, and nothing tracking you. Your location data never leaves your device. ——— Set a pin. Arrive with confidence.

Screenshots

Backblaze4 screens
Vigil4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Vigil at 100% against Backblaze's 35%. Vigil also leads on rating (5.0 vs 2.7) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months). Backblaze's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ratings volume (38 vs 2). On price and ads 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. Vigil sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Backblaze asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Vigil holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Backblaze has 38 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 35% of Backblaze's written reviews are positive against 100% of Vigil's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Backblaze ships an update every 2 months, Vigil every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Backblaze versus Vigil: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBackblazeVigil
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.7 (38 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews34.6% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings38 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size13 MB25 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBackblazeDEVIN C GENDRON

Customer experience

Backblaze

All ratings27 ratings
Positive40.7%
Neutral7.4%
Negative51.9%
Written reviews237 reviews
Positive34.6%
Neutral13.5%
Negative51.9%

Vigil

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Backblaze

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App crashes on launch or login
  • Inconsistent performance and connectivity
  • Unreliable file downloads and restoration

Requested features

4 requests
  • Thumbnails and previews for media files
  • Ability to manage backups and buckets
  • Improved search and sorting options
  • Sync and upload capabilities from mobile

Vigil

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Backblaze

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Vigil

One-time1
  • Vigil Unlock$2.99

Questions

Is Backblaze free?
Backblaze is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Vigil free?
Vigil is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Backblaze or Vigil?
Vigil is rated higher. Backblaze averages 2.7 out of 5 from 38 ratings, while Vigil averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Backblaze or Vigil have ads?
Neither Backblaze nor Vigil shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Backblaze or Vigil?
Backblaze ships an update every 2 months, and Vigil every 2 weeks. Most recently, Backblaze was updated on October 23, 2026 and Vigil on October 28, 2026.

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