Comparison

Cipher Message vs ExifSense

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

Head to head
About

Cipher Message

Easily encrypt and decrypt messages within your messaging app using various classic ciphers. Protect your conversations with friends and upgrade for advanced encryption methods and Face ID unlock.

Highlights
  • Encrypt/decrypt in iMessage
  • Classic ciphers (Caesar, Vigenère)
  • Advanced ciphers (AES)
  • Face ID unlock
  • Private conversations
Read full description

Cipher Message is an App and iMessage Extension that lets you easily encrypt and decrypt messages right inside the Messages app. Choose from classic ciphers like Caesar and Vigenère, Rail Fence, or Playfair to protect your conversations, or upgrade to Premium to enable AES (password) and add Face ID to lock the message. Simply select your cipher, type your message, set your key, and then encrypted and send to your friends. They can decrypt your message using the same extension, keeping your chats private and fun. Features: - Encrypt and decrypt messages directly in iMessage - Supports Caesar, Vigenère, Rail Fence, and Playfair - Easy-to-use interface - Share encrypted messages with friends - Keep your conversations private Upgrade to Premium to enjoy: - No Ads - Additional Ciphers and Encryption Methods: - AES (set your own password) - Face ID Secondary Encryption (disclaimer: does not use FaceID to encrypt, only requires FaceID of recipient to unlock message)

About

ExifSense

Features
Read full description

ExifSense helps you understand and control the metadata inside your photos. View complete EXIF details at a glance: - Camera and lens information - ISO, aperture, shutter speed, focal length - Resolution, color space, file format, and size - GPS location and map context (when available) Protect your privacy before sharing: - Remove GPS location only - Remove all sensitive metadata - Keep technical settings while stripping identity details Built for real workflows: - Works with JPEG, PNG, HEIC, and many RAW-compatible scenarios - Fast local processing on the device - No cloud upload required for analysis ExifSense is designed for photographers, creators, and privacy-conscious users who want full control over photo metadata.

Screenshots

Cipher Message4 screens
ExifSense4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: ExifSense at none against Cipher Message's shown. Cipher Message's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 3 months). On price, in-app purchases, 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

Both are free to download. Cipher Message sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and ExifSense sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Cipher Message ships an update fortnightly, ExifSense every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on June 1, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
Cipher Message versus ExifSense: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCipher MessageExifSense
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 3 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.518.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size21 MB12 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperNathaniel Van EveraLiang Kang

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Cipher Message

One-time1
  • Cipher Message Premium$0.99
3 purchases

ExifSense

One-time3
  • Buy a Coffee$0.99
  • Buy a Cake$1.99
  • Buy a Nice Meal$3.99

Questions

Is Cipher Message free?
Cipher Message is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ExifSense free?
ExifSense is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Cipher Message or ExifSense have ads?
Cipher Message shows ads; ExifSense does not.
Which is updated more often, Cipher Message or ExifSense?
Cipher Message ships an update fortnightly, and ExifSense every 3 months. Most recently, Cipher Message was updated on June 1, 2026 and ExifSense on September 19, 2026.

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