Underlayer vs Needl Encrypt
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Underlayer
Read full descriptionHide 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/
Needl Encrypt
Securely hide text, passwords, and files within images using advanced encryption and steganography. This app offers a built-in password manager for easy storage and retrieval, with quick copy-to-clipboard functionality for seamless logins.
- Data encryption
- Image steganography
- Password manager
- Quick password copy
- File storage
Read full descriptionHide full description
Needl uses encryption to store data you want to keep secret and safe within your favorite photographs. Using a unique process to convert your data and store it in tiny, unnoticeable pixel changes you can store plain text, passwords, and even files that you want to be nearly impossible for anyone else to find — like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Use the built in password manager to easily store and retrieve your passwords. Mark your favorite passwords for quick access or use the search bar to quickly find the password you are looking for. Quickly copy passwords to your clipboard, for an easy sign in process on all your favorite apps and websites. Terms of Service: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/jessiepdx/Needl/refs/heads/main/privacy_policy_ios_app.md
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: Needl Encrypt at none against Underlayer's shown. Needl Encrypt also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 5 months). Underlayer's advantage is iOS requirement (15.1 vs 18.0). On price, in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. Underlayer sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $2.99 per 7 days and Needl Encrypt sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Underlayer ships an update every 5 months, Needl Encrypt every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 12, 2026 and August 14, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Underlayer | Needl Encrypt |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 2 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | — | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 169 MB | 3 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Mihail Rukavishnikov | Jessie Wise |
In-app purchases
Underlayer
- Premium$2.997 Days
Needl Encrypt
- Needl PRO - Monthly7 Days trial$0.991 Month
- Needl PRO - Annual1 Month trial$5.991 Year








