Comparison

Phidden vs Needl Encrypt

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

Head to head
About

Phidden

Embed secret messages within your photos. Share these images, and only recipients with the app can reveal the hidden text. Avoid image compression to ensure messages remain intact.

Highlights
  • Embed secret messages in photos
  • Reveal hidden messages with the app
  • Share encoded photos
  • Preserve message integrity
  • Secure sharing methods
Read full description

Welcome to Phidden! Hide your message in your photo. With this new App you will be able to send your secret messages to your friends and let others believe that you have only sent them a photo! All you have to do is choose your best photo, write your message and Phidden does the rest! It will hide your message within the photo and all you need to do is share ! Whoever receives it will be able to read the message contained only by opening it with Phidden and with no other App or program! ATTENTION The messages hidden in Phidden can only be ‘decoded’ with the same App! For the same reason every photo not ‘encoded’ by Phidden if ‘decoded’ by the same App will return a blank and incomprehensible message! This is not to be considered an error but a non-coded photo! COMPRESSION IS THE ENEMY OF PHIDDEN! ANY FORM OF COMPRESSION WILL COMPROMISE THE HIDDEN MESSAGE! Many file sharing, e-mail client, social network and sharing services usually have a habit of compressing images, so do not entrust them with your encoded photos if you don’t want to lose the hidden message! For the same reason photos should be attached and sent in the original dimensions, as any form of compression will compromise the message and will make it illegible and not decodable! The safest way to maintain the integrity of the secret message is to post the image on Phidden Network ! Other secure methods remain saved in the library, AirDrop, messages or emails (only if sent at maximum resolution). Feel free to make personal tests with the services you usually use to verify if the message remains decodable. NOTE: the use of Phidden, the content of the hidden messages in the photos and their disclosure is to be considered the free choice of the user, the developer cannot be held in any way responsible. Don't forget to leave a review! Your feedback is precious! Thanks for your support ACKNOWLEDGMENTS A warm embrace and particular thanks goes to my friends @Alessio_Vinerbi and @lkaroweb for their help with the code that drives the engine of the App! Heartfelt thanks, guys! Photo and background image by unsplash.com

About

Needl Encrypt

Securely hide text, passwords, and files within images using advanced encryption and steganography. This app offers a built-in password manager for easy storage and retrieval, with quick copy-to-clipboard functionality for seamless logins.

Highlights
  • Data encryption
  • Image steganography
  • Password manager
  • Quick password copy
  • File storage
Features
Read full description

Needl uses encryption to store data you want to keep secret and safe within your favorite photographs. Using a unique process to convert your data and store it in tiny, unnoticeable pixel changes you can store plain text, passwords, and even files that you want to be nearly impossible for anyone else to find — like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Use the built in password manager to easily store and retrieve your passwords. Mark your favorite passwords for quick access or use the search bar to quickly find the password you are looking for. Quickly copy passwords to your clipboard, for an easy sign in process on all your favorite apps and websites. Terms of Service: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/jessiepdx/Needl/refs/heads/main/privacy_policy_ios_app.md

Screenshots

Phidden4 screens
Needl Encrypt4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Needl Encrypt at every 2 weeks against Phidden's every 7 months. Needl Encrypt also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 86%). Phidden's advantage is iOS requirement (16 vs 18.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Phidden sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Needl Encrypt sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Phidden ships an update every 7 months, Needl Encrypt every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on June 25, 2026 and August 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Phidden versus Needl Encrypt: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPhiddenNeedl Encrypt
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews85.7% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings—2 — better
Update frequencyEvery 7 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size43 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVanni GiannozziJessie Wise

Customer experience

Phidden

Written reviews7 reviews
Positive85.7%
Neutral14.3%
Negative0.0%

Needl Encrypt

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Phidden

One-time1
  • Phidden Network access and ...$0.99
2 purchases

Needl Encrypt

Subscriptions2
  • Needl PRO - Monthly7 Days trial$0.991 Month
  • Needl PRO - Annual1 Month trial$5.991 Year

Questions

Is Phidden free?
Phidden is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Needl Encrypt free?
Needl Encrypt is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Phidden or Needl Encrypt have ads?
Neither Phidden nor Needl Encrypt shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Phidden or Needl Encrypt?
Phidden ships an update every 7 months, and Needl Encrypt every 2 weeks. Most recently, Phidden was updated on June 25, 2026 and Needl Encrypt on August 14, 2026.

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