Comparison

Mockingjay vs VigilCam

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

Head to head
About

Mockingjay

This app securely records video and uploads it in real-time to your Google Drive, ensuring your footage is safe even if your device is lost or damaged. It uses strong encryption and offers features like an emergency PIN for enhanced protection.

Highlights
  • Real-time encrypted video upload
  • Emergency PIN protection
  • Quick-start recording
  • AES-256-GCM encryption
  • Google Drive integration
  • Trusted contacts sharing
Features
Read full description

Your footage survives even if your phone doesn't. Mockingjay is the secure video recorder built for journalists, activists, domestic violence survivors, and anyone who needs protected video documentation. Unlike standard camera apps, your videos upload to Google Drive in real-time during recording - not after. If your phone is lost, damaged, or stolen, your footage is already safe in the cloud. DESIGNED FOR PROTECTION Document important moments, preserve evidence of abuse, capture newsworthy events, or record incidents with AES-256-GCM encryption. Every frame uploads instantly to your Google Drive account - which you control completely. No corporate servers. No third-party access. Your data, your ownership. KEY FEATURES • Real-time encrypted upload - Footage goes to cloud DURING recording, not after • Emergency PIN - Secondary code protects your cloud backup in threatening situations • Quick-start recording - Instant capture via Action Button without entering PIN • Strong encryption - AES-256-GCM protects your videos end-to-end • GPS metadata - Location proof for evidence authenticity (Pro) • Trusted contacts - Share access with people you trust • Your Google Drive - Use your own account, full data ownership • Quality options - Record in 480p, 720p, or 1080p (Pro) • Unlimited history - Access recordings from any date (Pro) WHY MOCKINGJAY Standard camera apps store videos locally - vulnerable to loss if your device is damaged or stolen. Cloud apps upload AFTER recording - leaving gaps if something happens mid-recording. Mockingjay solves this: every second of footage is encrypted and uploaded as you record. Even if your phone is lost, damaged, or inaccessible, your evidence is already preserved. PERFECT FOR • Journalists documenting sensitive situations • Activists recording protests and demonstrations • Domestic violence survivors documenting abuse • Civil rights monitors and legal advocates • Witnesses capturing time-sensitive evidence • Anyone needing reliable video backup that survives device loss PRIVACY & SECURITY • AES-256-GCM encryption (industry-standard) • Videos upload to YOUR Google Drive account • No Mockingjay servers storing your footage • Secure Enclave hardware protection for encryption keys • Emergency PIN protects access in threatening situations • You control sharing and access permissions SUBSCRIPTION PLANS Free: 60-second recordings, 720p quality, 7-day history Pro: Unlimited recording length, all quality options (480p-1080p), GPS metadata, unlimited history Your safety matters. Your evidence matters. Record with confidence. Users are responsible for complying with local recording consent laws. Privacy Policy: https://tskulbru.dev/apps/mockingjay-privacy Support: https://tskulbru.dev/apps/mockingjay-support

About

VigilCam

Features
Read full description

VigilCam turns any iPhone into a dedicated security camera. Record continuous HD footage directly to your device, iCloud Drive, or Firebase — with automatic clip rotation, motion detection, and instant email alerts when movement is detected while you're away. Key features • Continuous recording with configurable clip length (1–60 min) • Motion detection with push notifications and email alerts • On-device, iCloud Drive, or Firebase cloud storage • Live P2P video stream to a second iPhone over Wi-Fi • Browse, review, and delete recordings by date and device • Runs in the background — keep recording with the screen off • No subscription, no account required for on-device storage

Screenshots

Mockingjay4 screens
VigilCam3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: VigilCam at none against Mockingjay's 3. VigilCam also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs every 6 days) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.0). On price, ads 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Mockingjay sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. VigilCam asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Mockingjay ships an update every 6 days, VigilCam every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Mockingjay versus VigilCam: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMockingjayVigilCam
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 daysEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS18.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size31 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTorstein SkulbruRobert Craig

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Mockingjay

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly$2.991 Month
  • Yearly$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Pro$39.99
None

VigilCam

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Mockingjay free?
Mockingjay is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is VigilCam free?
VigilCam is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Mockingjay or VigilCam have ads?
Neither Mockingjay nor VigilCam shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Mockingjay or VigilCam?
Mockingjay ships an update every 6 days, and VigilCam every 3 days. Most recently, Mockingjay was updated on October 12, 2026 and VigilCam on October 8, 2026.

Other comparisons