Comparison

Kakuremi vs KeyForge

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

Head to head
About

Kakuremi

Features
Read full description

A local-first KeePass (KDBX) password manager for iPhone -- works offline, with AutoFill and Face ID, compatible with KeePassXC and KeePass2. Opening your first database and editing your vault are free. YubiKey NFC unlock is included free -- no subscription. Kakuremi was built for one thing: a KeePass vault that stays yours. **YubiKey Challenge-Response -- Free, No Subscription** Enter your master password, then hold your YubiKey to the top of your iPhone over NFC -- the key is a second factor, not a replacement for your password. The hardware-key unlock is not time-limited, not gated, and not billed separately. Kakuremi uses HMAC-SHA1 Challenge-Response, the same scheme as the KeePass desktop apps. It works with NFC-capable YubiKey 5 Series models and the YubiKey NEO once an HMAC-SHA1 slot is configured (via the YubiKey Manager / Authenticator app). FIDO2/passkey-only keys -- such as the Security Key Series -- cannot unlock a database, because they do not implement HMAC-SHA1 Challenge-Response. **A KDBX Engine Written in Rust** Kakuremi's KDBX parsing and serialization are written in Rust, a memory-safe language chosen to reduce the risk of buffer-overflow and use-after-free bugs. Open KDBX 3.x (read-only) and KDBX 4.x; create, edit, and save in KDBX 4. Compatible with KeePassXC, KeePass2, and other standard-compliant KeePass clients. **AutoFill in Safari and in Apps** Kakuremi ships a native Credential Provider extension that works with AutoFill on current and older versions of iOS. Tap the key icon, choose Kakuremi, and pick the login you need. **Local-First -- No Accounts, No Cloud Sync** Kakuremi has no accounts, no sync service of its own, no telemetry, and no analytics. Your database is decrypted in memory and released when the app locks. An encrypted copy of your logins (used by AutoFill) and recent copies of your vault file stay in the app's own storage -- you can clear both in Settings. Apart from Apple's own App Store purchase checks, the only network features are optional and off by default: website icons (only a site's domain is sent to Google's favicon service) and password breach-check (a partial, anonymized hash sent to Have I Been Pwned). Neither lookup sends your master password or an entry's password, username, or notes. **What's Free** - Create or open one KeePass database (KDBX 4; KDBX 3.x read-only) - Create, edit, and organize entries, groups, and tags - YubiKey NFC Challenge-Response unlock - Face ID / Touch ID biometric unlock - iOS AutoFill (Credential Provider) - Store TOTP (2FA) secrets and view live one-time codes - Password generator - Search and Recycle Bin - View attachments - Password breach check (Have I Been Pwned) - Themes (Light / Dark / Warm) and 6 accent colors - Localized in 9 languages **Kakuremi Pro** For power users who want more: - Use more than one database - Add file attachments - Backup history & restore Pricing: a monthly or yearly subscription, or a one-time purchase. New subscribers get a 1-month free trial on the yearly plan; the subscription then renews at the yearly price unless it is canceled at least 24 hours before the trial ends. Prices for your region are shown on this page. **Why "Kakuremi"?** Kakuremi (Japanese: hidden form) refers to the art of concealment. Your secrets deserve to be invisible -- no account to sign into, no service of ours holding them, no fragile code to corrupt them. Just hidden in the file you chose. Built by Springhiker Inc. --- Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://kakuremi.com/privacy/

About

KeyForge

Features
Read full description

KeyForge โ€” Forge your passwords. Remember only two things. Stop memorizing dozens of complex passwords. KeyForge generates strong, unique passwords on demand using just two pieces of information you already know โ€” a Master Key and a Unique Key. HOW IT WORKS Master Key: One secret key that never changes. Use it for every site. Unique Key: A simple identifier for each site โ€” like "amazon" or "gmail". Changes per site, easy to remember. Type both into KeyForge, tap Generate, and get a strong unique password every time. Same inputs always produce the same password โ€” no storage needed. PRIVACY BY DESIGN - No passwords are ever stored or transmitted - You are the only one who can recreate your passwords - Passwords cannot be reverse engineered to find your keys - Master Key and Unique Key are case sensitive - Works without a password manager โ€” but pairs great with one - Password rotation built in โ€” add a version label when needed KeyForge puts you in control. Your keys, your passwords, your security.

Screenshots

Kakuremi4 screens
KeyForge4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: KeyForge at none against Kakuremi's 3. KeyForge also leads on iOS requirement (15.6 vs 18.0). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

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

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

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

Scorecard2 real differences ยท 4 level
Kakuremi versus KeyForge: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKakuremiKeyForge
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 5 daysโ€”
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo โ€” better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod โ€” better
Requires iOS18.015.6 โ€” better
Further details โ€” not scored
Size8 MB10 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSPRING HIKER CORP.Brian McAlister

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Kakuremi

Subscriptions2
  • Kakuremi Pro โ€” Monthly$2.991 Month
  • Kakuremi Pro โ€” Yearly1 Month trial$14.991 Year
One-time1
  • Kakuremi Pro โ€” Lifetime$49.99
None

KeyForge

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Kakuremi free?
Kakuremi is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is KeyForge free?
KeyForge is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Kakuremi or KeyForge have ads?
Neither Kakuremi nor KeyForge shows ads.

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