Comparison

Krypt vs Shell Notes

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

Head to head
About

Krypt

Features
Read full description

Krypt is a fully offline, AES-256 encrypted vault for iPhone. Every password, note, file, and 2FA code you store is encrypted and kept exclusively on your device — never sent to a server, never synced to a cloud, never shared with anyone. ENCRYPTED FILE VAULT Import photos, documents, and scans directly into the vault. Each file is individually encrypted. Scan physical documents with your camera and store them as encrypted PDFs — passports, contracts, bank statements, anything sensitive. PASSWORDS Store unlimited logins, PINs, and credentials. Generate strong passwords with the built-in cryptographic generator. Copy passwords to clipboard with one tap — automatically cleared after 30 seconds so nothing lingers. BUILT-IN 2FA AUTHENTICATOR Replace Google Authenticator. Store your TOTP codes inside the same encrypted vault as your passwords. No separate app, no separate risk. FACE ID & TOUCH ID Unlock instantly with biometrics. Or configure Face ID to open the decoy vault — your real data stays hidden even under biometric pressure. THE DECOY VAULT Set a second PIN that opens a completely different vault. If anyone ever pressures you to unlock your phone, show them the decoy. They will never know the real vault exists. BUILT TO PROTECT ITSELF Wrong PIN attempts trigger increasing lockout periods. After 10 failed attempts the vault permanently wipes itself — leaving no trace of your data. WHAT KRYPT NEVER DOES — Never connects to the internet — Never syncs to iCloud — Never tracks you — Never shows ads — Never sells your data SECURITY ARCHITECTURE AES-256-GCM encryption. PBKDF2-SHA256 key derivation with 310,000 iterations. Keys stored in iOS Keychain with device-only binding — never extractable, never backed up to iCloud. Screenshot detection. Clipboard auto-clear. App switcher cover. Krypt is free to start, with encrypted backup import and export included. Krypt Pro unlocks unlimited storage, the file vault, built-in 2FA authenticator, and the decoy vault. By downloading this app, you agree to the Apple Standard EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Shell Notes

Features
Read full description

Encrypted notes that never leave your device. No cloud, no account, no tracking. Shell Notes is a private, offline notes app with one sharp focus: keep your writing local, encrypted, and yours alone — in a fast markdown and code editor with a calm, dark, developer-flavored theme. Ā· Real AES-256-GCM encryption (audited open-source crypto: @noble/ciphers, @noble/hashes), keyed off your passphrase via PBKDF2-SHA256. Ā· A master passphrase only you know. No recovery, by design — there is no backdoor and no copy of your data. Ā· App-lock with optional Face ID. Ā· Plain text, Markdown,JavaScript, TypeScript, Python, JSON, Shell, HTTP and CSS syntax highlighting. Ā· Folders, starring, pinning, full-text search. Ā· Eleven monospace typefaces — JetBrains Mono, Fira Code, IBM Plex Mono, Source Code Pro, Ubuntu Mono, Inconsolata, Anonymous Pro, Space Mono, Roboto Mono, VT323, and a default UI font. Ā· A subtle scanline overlay you can switch off. Ā· No analytics. No advertising. No sign-up, no email, no phone number. Ā· No cloud sync, no remote model calls, no leakage. Your notes, folders and search index stay on this device. Export your vault to JSON through the iOS share sheet whenever you choose — nothing leaves otherwise. Shell Notes protects your notes at rest, on this device, with strong encryption. If you forget your passphrase, your locked notes are gone — there is no recovery. If your unlocked iPhone is in someone else's hands, the app is only as safe as your iOS lock screen and the auto-lock setting you choose inside Shell Notes. For developers, journalists, and anyone who closes an app the moment it asks for an email address. Quiet, local, yours. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://shellnotes.surge.sh/privacy

Screenshots

Krypt4 screens
Shell Notes4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Krypt at weekly against Shell Notes's every 5 weeks. Shell Notes's advantage is iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.6). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

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

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

Both are free to download. Krypt sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and Shell Notes sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Krypt ships an update weekly, Shell Notes every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences Ā· 4 level
Krypt versus Shell Notes: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKryptShell Notes
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 5 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS17.615.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB47 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEpicSoftwareIvan Dotsenko

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Krypt

Subscriptions2
  • Krypt Pro Monthly7 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • Krypt Pro Annual7 Days trial$23.901 Year
One-time1
  • Krypt Pro Lifetime$29.99
3 purchases

Shell Notes

Subscriptions2
  • Shell Notes Pro Weekly$0.997 Days
  • Shell Notes Pro Yearly$9.991 Year
One-time1
  • Shell Notes Pro Lifetime$17.99

Questions

Is Krypt free?
Krypt is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Shell Notes free?
Shell Notes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Krypt or Shell Notes have ads?
Neither Krypt nor Shell Notes shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Krypt or Shell Notes?
Krypt ships an update weekly, and Shell Notes every 5 weeks. Most recently, Krypt was updated on October 31, 2026 and Shell Notes on October 28, 2026.

Other comparisons