Comparison

VaultaFree vs Penumbra Vault

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

Head to head
About

VaultaFree

This app provides secure, offline storage for your private files, including photos, videos, and documents. It uses strong encryption and offers features like a decoy vault and security alerts for enhanced privacy. Backups are optionally encrypted and stored in your personal iCloud.

Highlights
  • Offline-first encrypted storage
  • AES-256 encryption
  • Optional encrypted iCloud backup
  • Decoy vault with secondary passcode
  • Security alerts for incorrect attempts
  • Face ID, Touch ID, and PIN authentication
Features
Read full description

Your private files belong to you. VaultaFree is an encrypted offline-first file vault that lives entirely on your iPhone. No account. No servers. No tracking. Your photos, videos, documents and files are protected with AES-256 encryption and accessible only to you. OFFLINE-FIRST PRIVACY Everything runs locally on your device by default. Your files stay under your control and remain accessible even without an internet connection. ENCRYPTED ICLOUD BACKUP Optionally back up your encrypted vault using your personal iCloud account. Files are encrypted before upload and remain unreadable without your recovery key. DECOY VAULT Create a separate vault protected by a second passcode for additional privacy when needed. SECURITY ALERTS Get notified after multiple incorrect passcode attempts. Alert photos are stored securely on your device and visible only to you. WHAT YOU CAN STORE Photos and Videos PDFs and Documents Audio Files Office Files ZIP Archives Any File Type AUTHENTICATION Face ID Touch ID 4-digit PIN 6-digit PIN Alphanumeric passcode You can also create a separate decoy passcode. RECOVERY KEY Your vault is protected by a recovery key generated on your device. Only you can recover access to your encrypted data. NO ADS. NO TRACKING. VaultaFree does not require an account and does not collect your personal data. Requires iOS 18 or later. Subscription renews automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage subscriptions in Settings > Apple ID > Subscriptions. Apple Standard EULA applies: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Penumbra Vault

Features
Read full description

Penumbra is a private, encrypted vault for the things you want to keep to yourself. Everything is encrypted on your device with a key derived from your PIN — not even we can see it. No ads, no tracking, and we never hold your files hostage behind a paywall. FEATURES • Real AES-256 encryption, on your device • Photos, videos, and any file type • Secure notes for passwords and recovery phrases, typed on a private in-app keyboard • Store contacts and remove them from your phone • Decoy vault: a second PIN opens a separate, innocent vault • Break-in photo: capture anyone who enters a wrong PIN • Folders, each optionally protected by its own password • Face ID / Touch ID unlock • Encrypted sync across your devices — only encrypted data ever leaves your phone Penumbra is built to be simple, honest and genuinely private. Terms of Use: https://www.oscargarrucho.com/penumbra/terms Privacy Policy: https://www.oscargarrucho.com/penumbra/privacy

Screenshots

VaultaFree4 screens
Penumbra Vault4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Penumbra Vault at 18.0 against VaultaFree's 26.0. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. VaultaFree sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days and Penumbra Vault sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $22.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

VaultaFree ships an update every 9 days, Penumbra Vault weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
VaultaFree versus Penumbra Vault: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVaultaFreePenumbra Vault
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (3 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings3 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 9 daysWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS26.018.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size8 MB8 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMartin GaborOscar Rodriguez

In-app purchases

4 purchases

VaultaFree

Subscriptions4
  • Weekly Subscription$1.997 Days
  • Monthly Subscription14 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Welcome Offer$49.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Annual Subscription$49.991 Year
2 purchases

Penumbra Vault

Subscriptions1
  • Penumbra Premium$22.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime$49.99

Questions

Is VaultaFree free?
VaultaFree is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Penumbra Vault free?
Penumbra Vault is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do VaultaFree or Penumbra Vault have ads?
Neither VaultaFree nor Penumbra Vault shows ads.
Which is updated more often, VaultaFree or Penumbra Vault?
VaultaFree ships an update every 9 days, and Penumbra Vault weekly. Most recently, VaultaFree was updated on October 31, 2026 and Penumbra Vault on November 5, 2026.

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