Comparison

Cipher vs Secret Text

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

Head to head
About

Cipher

Securely store and encrypt sensitive text files, passwords, and crypto keys. Access your protected information across devices with cloud sync, even when offline. Your data remains private and under your control with strong AES-based encryption.

Highlights
  • Encrypt notes, texts, passwords, crypto keys, and recovery phrases
  • Import text files for encryption
  • Search across encrypted items
  • Cloud Sync across devices
  • Offline access to encrypted content
  • AES-based encryption
Read full description

Password managers ask you to trust them with everything. One breach β€” and your whole digital life is exposed. Cipher works differently: you store hints, not passwords. The passwords stay in your head. HOW IT WORKS Keep two or three base patterns in your head. They are never written down anywhere. For each service, save only a hint about which pattern and which rule you used: "Bank β€” pattern B, caps, +2024" That hint is useless to anyone else. The password itself never leaves your head. WHAT YOU GET - Hints, notes and text files encrypted with AES, each protected by a passphrase you choose - Passphrases are never stored β€” not on the device, not in the cloud - Works fully offline, no account required - Optional cloud sync with your Apple or Google account, if you want your hints on every device - Import text files, search across your encrypted items - Also fits crypto seed-phrase hints and any private note WHO IT IS FOR People who do not want to hand every password to a single vault. If you have hundreds of random passwords, a password manager is the right tool. If you rely on patterns in your head and keep forgetting which rule you used where, Cipher is for you. Privacy Policy: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1i8-tLk1ekAxQgjGyF6LO0mOtwo_sgI1nsi22A4v-ITo

About

Secret Text

Features
Read full description

Secret Text is a secure text translator, not a chat app. Download free and use one contact with unlimited encryption, decryption and fingerprint verification. A one-time Pro purchase unlocks unlimited contacts. No trial or subscription is required. It encrypts your plaintext into ciphertext that you can copy and paste through any messaging app (iMessage, WhatsApp, Telegram, WeChat, etc.), and decrypts ciphertext back into plaintext on the other end. How it works: 1. Add a contact and complete a guided handshake to establish an encrypted session 2. Verify identity fingerprints through a trusted channel 3. Type your message -> tap "Encrypt & Copy" -> paste the ciphertext into any messenger 4. Receive ciphertext -> tap "Paste & Decrypt" -> read the plaintext Security: - End-to-end encryption powered by Signal Protocol (X3DH + Double Ratchet) - AES-256-CBC with HMAC-SHA256 for every message - Per-message forward secrecy: compromising one key cannot decrypt past or future messages - Out-of-order message decryption support - Identity fingerprint verification through a trusted channel - All keys are generated and stored locally on your device Features: - Works with any messaging platform, no need to switch apps - Guided handshake wizard with step-by-step instructions - Contact management with session status at a glance - One free contact; one-time Pro purchase for unlimited contacts - Supports English, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese - Available on iOS and macOS with cross-platform session compatibility - Dark mode support Your messages stay private, no matter which messenger you use. Privacy Policy: https://covalith.com/legal/apps/secret-text/privacy/ Terms of Use (Apple Standard EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/macapps/stdeula/

Screenshots

Cipher4 screens
Secret Text4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Cipher at none against Secret Text's 2. Cipher also leads on device support (4 vs 2) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). On price, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. Secret Text sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Cipher asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Cipher ships an update every 4 months, Secret Text every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences Β· 5 level
Cipher versus Secret Text: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCipherSecret Text
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviews100.0% of reviewsβ€”
Update frequencyEvery 4 months β€” betterEvery 7 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo β€” betterYes
MonetizationFreeβ€”
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac β€” betteriPhone, Mac
Requires iOS15.6 β€” better17.0
Further details β€” not scored
Size34 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDGL Factor建忠 黎

In-app purchases

None

Cipher

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Secret Text

Subscriptions2
  • SecretText Premium3 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • SecretText Premium3 Days trial$24.991 Year

Questions

Is Cipher free?
Cipher is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Secret Text free?
Secret Text is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Cipher or Secret Text have ads?
Neither Cipher nor Secret Text shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Cipher or Secret Text?
Cipher ships an update every 4 months, and Secret Text every 7 months. Most recently, Cipher was updated on November 5, 2026 and Secret Text on October 31, 2026.

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