Comparison

MsgSecret vs Underlayer

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

Head to head
About

MsgSecret

Securely encode and decode messages to protect your privacy from message providers and prying eyes. Share your ciphered messages via email, SMS, social media, and more. Offers multiple ciphering methods for varying security levels.

Highlights
  • Encode and decode messages
  • Multiple ciphering methods
  • Share via email, SMS, social media
  • Passcode/fingerprint authentication
  • Save ciphering settings for quick access
  • Shake gesture for encoding/decoding
Features
Read full description

Turn everyday text into coded messages for puzzles, playful exchanges, and learning about classic ciphers. Choose a method, set a key when needed, and encrypt or decrypt on your device. MsgSecret includes classic ciphers, word transformations, and text encodings such as Base64. These methods do not provide secure encryption and must not be used to protect passwords, personal records, financial information, or other sensitive data. Base64 is encoding, not secrecy. Get started with a fixed interactive sample that shows a message being encoded and decoded back to its original text without spending credits. Use separate encrypt and decrypt input fields to work without overwriting what you entered. Method notes explain how each transform works and its limitations. Share the coded result through the iOS share sheet, or copy and paste it into your messaging app. Optionally share decoding instructions too. Recipients select the same method and paste only the coded message into MsgSecret. When a method needs a key, share it separately; keys are not automatically included in shared messages. Free access includes 3 successful encrypt or decrypt operations each day. This allowance resets at midnight UTC and does not accumulate. After using your daily allowance, each successful operation uses 1 saved credit. A completed optional rewarded ad adds 5 credits. A one-time in-app purchase provides unlimited transformations without rewarded ads. Previously purchased unlimited access can be restored. Features Classic ciphers, word puzzles, and text encodings in one place Fixed interactive sample with an encrypt-and-decrypt round trip Separate encrypt and decrypt input fields Native sharing, optional recipient instructions, and clipboard tools Method explanations with clear security limitations Exact key adjustment and accessible controls 3 free successful transformations per day Optional rewarded ads for 5 saved credits One-time unlimited access and Restore Purchases Designed for iPhone and iPad with a focused dark interface

About

Underlayer

Features
Read full description

UNDERLAYER: STEGANOGRAPHY MADE SIMPLE Turn ordinary pictures into secret carriers. Underlayer hides a text message inside a photo and reads hidden messages back. Everything happens on your phone. HIDE A MESSAGE • Hide any text in a photo from your gallery • Two modes: Hidden (invisible pixels) and Open (colored frame) • Open mode survives Telegram and WhatsApp compression • Share the result right away or save it to the gallery READ A MESSAGE • Extract hidden text from an image in one tap • The app detects the mode automatically • Share an image to Underlayer from the gallery or a messenger PASSWORD PROTECTION • Lock a message with a password: it is encrypted with AES-256 before it goes into the picture • Without the password nobody can read it, not even in Underlayer • Opening a password-protected message is free for everyone TWO MODES HIDDEN MODE • The message is stored invisibly in the pixels • The picture looks exactly the same • Send it as a file: messengers recompress photos and erase the message OPEN MODE • The message is drawn as a colored frame around the picture • Survives sending as a regular photo in Telegram and WhatsApp • Best for messengers PRIVATE BY DESIGN • Processing happens on your device, no internet needed • Your images and messages are never uploaded • No account, no sign-up • Without a password, anyone who opens the picture in Underlayer can read the message. Add a password for confidential text IDEAS • A note or a riddle inside a photo for a friend • A quiet watermark with your name inside your own pictures • A game, a scavenger hunt, or a fun way to learn steganography ALSO IN THE BROWSER The free web tool at underlayer.mef.space uses the same format: hide a message on a computer and read it on your phone, or the other way round. Password-protected messages are opened in the app. 37 LANGUAGES The app follows your device language; you can change it in Settings. PREMIUM Free with all steganography features, with ads. Password protection comes with the Premium subscription, which also removes all ads, or unlock it for 24 hours by watching 3 short videos. A one-time purchase removes ads for good. JPG, PNG, GIF and WebP supported. Terms of use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

MsgSecret4 screens
Underlayer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: MsgSecret at none against Underlayer's shown. Underlayer's advantage is update cadence (every 10 days vs every 6 months). On price, in-app purchases, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. MsgSecret sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Underlayer sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MsgSecret ships an update every 6 months, Underlayer every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
MsgSecret versus Underlayer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMsgSecretUnderlayer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (5 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews83.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings5 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 monthsEvery 10 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.016.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size8 MB184 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHassan ChizariMihail Rukavishnikov

In-app purchases

1 purchases

MsgSecret

One-time1
  • Unlimited Encryption without Adv$0.99
2 purchases

Underlayer

Subscriptions1
  • Premium$2.997 Days
One-time1
  • Remove Ads$3.99

Questions

Is MsgSecret free?
MsgSecret is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Underlayer free?
Underlayer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do MsgSecret or Underlayer have ads?
Underlayer shows ads; MsgSecret does not.
Which is updated more often, MsgSecret or Underlayer?
MsgSecret ships an update every 6 months, and Underlayer every 10 days. Most recently, MsgSecret was updated on November 1, 2026 and Underlayer on November 12, 2026.

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