Comparison

Strongbox vs PawoSec

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

Head to head
About

Strongbox

Securely store and manage all your passwords with one master password. Supports open-source formats and offers advanced security features like biometric unlock and YubiKey protection. Includes password auditing and cloud syncing for easy access.

Highlights
  • Biometric unlock (Face ID/Touch ID)
  • Passkey support
  • YubiKey protection
  • Password auditing (Have I Been Pwned?)
  • Cloud syncing (iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive)
  • Secure password generation
  • TOTP Two Factor Authentication codes
Features
Read full description

Strongbox is an application for keeping all your passwords safely stored and protected by one master password. Supporting the open source Password Safe and KeePass formats. *** Features *** - Face ID/Touch ID Unlock for the ultimate in convenience, security and speed. - Passkey support - The latest, most convenient and most secure authentication method (passkeys). - PIN Code Unlock with a Duress PIN option for those tricky situations. - YubiKey protection - secure your databases with a hardware token. - Secure - protected by time tested military grade cryptography. - Private - Isolated In-App attachments viewer for your sensitive documents, photos & videos. - Audit your passwords - Automatically check your database for weak password including a 'Have I Been Pwned?' check. - Cloud Support, so you can access your cloud safes using iCloud, Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive, WebDAV or SFTP even when offline. Use the built in Files app for many other storage options or store them securely only on your local device. You choose your storage. - Search your entire set of passwords and secrets instantly and powerfully, with deep search. Autocomplete new entries, and auto generate secure passwords. - Compatible - Import/Export by Files app, Email, CSV, iTunes File Sharing or use cloud storage. - Standards compliant - using the time tested Password Safe and KeePass formats so you can import any existing password safe you have. - Features galore - Incredibly configurable password generation including Diceware (XKCD) & regular passwords. - Timed Auto Clear Clipboard. - Entry History. - KeePass Field References, Tags, Custom Icon & FavIcons (including automatic search & download). - Two Factor Authentication codes (TOTP) - QR Code, Steam & Manual. *** Strongbox is Freemium *** This means that Strongbox is free with a basic feature set, but if you like there are enhanced Pro features too. You can opt-in to a 90 day Free Trial of all the Pro features if you like, no obligations, but most find the Free version perfectly adequate. --------------------------------------------------------------------- • Strongbox provides In-App Purchases (both auto renewable subscriptions and one-off non-consumable) for Pro versions of the App • An outright/upfront (i.e. non In-App Purchase) option exists also, please see the Strongbox website for details. • Subscriptions are auto renewable with recurring billing. Cancel anytime. • The time period of the subscriptions are monthly, 3-monthly or yearly at users discretion • The user can also choose to purchase a 'Lifetime' one-off Pro version of the App • Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase • Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period • Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal • Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase • Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable • Strongbox Privacy Policy may be found here: https://strongboxsafe.com/privacy-policy/ • Strongbox Terms of Use may be found here: https://strongboxsafe.com/terms/

About

PawoSec

Features
Read full description

PawoSec – Password Manager Your passwords belong to you - not the cloud. PawoSec is a secure offline password manager for anyone who wants to keep their credentials fully under their own control. All data remains exclusively on your device - no cloud, no user account, and no tracking. Try the Free version with up to 10 entries and explore PawoSec - or unlock Unlimited with a one-time purchase. Your Benefits: • 100% Offline - no internet connection required • No Cloud - your data stays on your device • No User Account - no registration required • No Tracking and No Ads • Strong Encryption with AES-256-GCM • PBKDF2 with 600,000 Iterations • Face ID / Touch ID for secure unlocking • Automatic Lock when inactive • Password AutoFill for convenient form filling • Password Generator for secure passwords • Password Security Analysis • 2FA (TOTP) for additional security • Fast Search, Categories, Tags & Favorites • Copy with Quick Filter without opening the entry • Encrypted .pwsc Backups - local and without the cloud 21 Security Features - PawoSec was consistently designed to protect your sensitive data. From AES-256-GCM and PBKDF2 to Face ID / Touch ID, AutoFill, clipboard protection and app switcher protection, as well as rate limiting, factory wipe, encrypted backups, and secure deletion. PawoSec offers a total of 21 integrated security features to protect your password vault. Easy to Use - PawoSec combines extensive security features with a clear and intuitive interface: • Intuitive navigation via Sidebar • Fast search and smart filters • A–Z navigation and flexible sorting • Favorites for quick access • Copy important data directly from the list • Detailed help for individual features Who Is PawoSec For? Ideal for anyone who wants to: • manage their credentials with a strong focus on security • use a reliable and easy-to-use password app • manage many passwords clearly in one place • avoid storing their data in the cloud • use the app without a login or user account • avoid subscriptions • manage their passwords directly on their smartphone Your Data. Your Control. No Cloud. No Servers. No Registration. No Tracking. No Ads. Your data stays on your device - Simple. Secure. Offline. PawoSec - Password Secure Developed by Sympicon®

Screenshots

Strongbox4 screens
PawoSec4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Strongbox at fortnightly against PawoSec's monthly. Strongbox also leads on device support (5 vs 2) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.6). On price, 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. Strongbox sells 14 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and PawoSec sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Strongbox ships an update fortnightly, PawoSec monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Strongbox versus PawoSec: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStrongboxPawoSec
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (4.1K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews83.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings4.1K — better—
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size145 MB25 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPhoebe Code LimitedRalf Preuss

Bugs and requests

Strongbox

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Crashes when using certain iOS versions
  • Issues with database syncing and corruption

Requested features

4 requests
  • Ability to create custom templates and fields
  • Improved organization and search functionality
  • Tighter integration with Apple Keychain
  • Support for more cloud storage providers

PawoSec

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

14 purchases

Strongbox

Subscriptions8
  • Strongbox Pro (Monthly)2 variants$2.991 Month
  • Monthly Tip$2.991 Month
  • Strongbox Pro (Yearly)3 Months trial$19.991 Year
Show 5 more
  • Strongbox Pro (Yearly)1 Month trial$19.991 Year
  • Yearly Tip$19.991 Year
  • Strongbox Pro (Yearly)1 Year trial$24.991 Year
  • Strongbox Pro (Yearly)3 Months trial$24.991 Year
  • Strongbox Pro (Yearly)7 Days trial$24.991 Year
One-time6
  • Little Tip$4.99
  • Small Tip$9.99
  • Medium Tip$19.99
Show 3 more
  • Large Tip$99.99
  • Strongbox Pro (Lifetime)$99.99
  • Huge Tip$199.99
1 purchases

PawoSec

One-time1
  • PawoSec Unlimited$2.99

Questions

Is Strongbox free?
Strongbox is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PawoSec free?
PawoSec is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Strongbox or PawoSec have ads?
Neither Strongbox nor PawoSec shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Strongbox or PawoSec?
Strongbox ships an update fortnightly, and PawoSec monthly. Most recently, Strongbox was updated on October 19, 2026 and PawoSec on October 4, 2026.

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