BlackOut vs Vigil
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
BlackOut
This app allows discreet photo and video recording from a dark, private capture screen. Media is stored locally until you choose to export or share, with optional premium features for video recording available as a one-time purchase.
- Silent photo capture
- Discreet video recording
- Local media storage
- Premium video features (one-time purchase)
- Custom cover screens
- Biometric gallery protection
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A quieter screen. More ways to capture. BlackOut is a camera for iPhone and iPad with a dark capture screen and a private in-app gallery. Take photos, record video, capture a burst, or slow down the action—then choose what you keep, share, or export. BROWSE WHILE RECORDING Read, search, and visit websites without leaving your recording. Enable Browser While Recording in Settings, choose Video or Slow Motion, and use the browser menu to start recording or stop and save. Your webpage stays open when the video is saved to BlackOut's gallery. Choose DuckDuckGo or Google, save bookmarks, and turn on browser auto-dimming if you prefer. Browsing uses a temporary session; bookmarks stay on your device. Websites and search providers handle browsing requests under their own privacy policies. Web audio and video pause during recording. FOUR WAYS TO CAPTURE • Photo: take individual photos with a simple tap. • Video: record with a black screen or your own cover image, with an optional live preview. • Burst: choose the number of photos and the pause between them. • Slow Motion: record at a supported high frame rate and save slow-motion video. A GALLERY THAT FEELS RIGHT • Browse a clean grid and pinch to adjust thumbnail size. • Filter All, Photos, or Videos and sort your library. • Pinch, pan, and double-tap to explore a photo. • Swipe across items in Select mode to select or deselect a range. • Share, save to Photos, or delete multiple items together. • See useful details such as dimensions, duration, and file size. YOUR MEDIA, YOUR CHOICE Captures stay in BlackOut's private gallery and do not appear in Photos unless you export them. Add Face ID or Touch ID protection on supported devices. No BlackOut account is required. SET UP YOUR WAY Open directly in the camera, with a separate opt-in setting to begin recording automatically. Use a Lock Screen or Home Screen widget for quick access. Customize the cover image, preview, recording feedback, volume-button controls, swipe lock, and what happens after recording stops. Choose from the cameras, lenses, standard resolutions, and frame rates your device supports. Set an optional auto-stop timer or keep No limit for recording without an app-imposed duration cap. FREE PHOTOS. ONE-TIME PREMIUM. Basic photo capture and the gallery are free. One lifetime in-app purchase unlocks video, burst, slow motion, the recording browser, and advanced capture and privacy controls. No subscription. Existing Premium owners keep access; Restore Purchase is available in the app. Recording requires BlackOut to be active in the foreground. Widgets open the app; recording begins after any required device unlock. Apple's camera and microphone privacy indicators remain visible. Features depend on your device and selected camera. Slow-motion clips have no audio. Storage, battery, temperature, and system interruptions can limit recording. Respect others' privacy and follow local recording laws. Support: contact@blackoutcamera.app
Vigil
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Vigil is a camera built for moments when protecting a recording matters. Start recording quickly with the rear camera, front camera, or—on supported iPhones—both cameras at once. Every completed recording is automatically stored in Vigil Vault, protected by Face ID or your iPhone passcode. Choose where additional copies are saved: • Photos • A private Vigil folder in your Google Drive • iCloud Drive, accessible from your other Apple devices Vigil also includes: • Screen Curtain for a discreet, dimmed recording view while keeping recording indicators and controls available • Action Button and Shortcuts support for faster access • A configurable SOS button that hands your chosen number to the iPhone calling interface • Sharing with an optional Vigil overlay, timestamp, and recording details Cloud copies begin after a recording is completed. Availability and upload time depend on your connection and cloud-provider settings. Vigil is not an emergency service and does not guarantee recovery, authenticity, or admissibility. Always follow local recording and privacy laws.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Vigil at none against BlackOut's 1. On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. BlackOut sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Vigil asks for nothing beyond the download.
| Parameter | BlackOut | Vigil |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 1.0 (1 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 1 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 days | — |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 4 MB | 3 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Kei Konuma | Karthik Mahadevan B.V. |
In-app purchases
BlackOut
- BlackOut Premium$9.99
Vigil
No in-app purchases









