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Vaultaire vs Inner Gallery
Inner Gallery is a well-built encrypted vault with a panic PIN and camouflage icons. It encrypts on-device with no account. Vaultaire matches the encryption with AES-256-GCM and adds a recovery phrase and vault sharing.
Feature Comparison
Inner Gallery by Jungle Labs is a real encrypted vault, not a PIN over a folder. It uses ChaCha encryption, keeps files on-device, and sells as a one-time purchase. Here is how it lines up with Vaultaire across 17 security and privacy features.
| Feature | Vaultaire | Inner Gallery |
|---|---|---|
| On-device encryptionFiles encrypted on the phone | ✓ | ✓ |
| AES-256-GCM cipherThe standard most auditors expect | ✓ | ChaChaPoly |
| Zero-knowledge architectureNo provider-held vault decryption key | ✓ | ✓ |
| No account requiredNo email, no sign-up | ✓ | ✓ |
| Local vault use works offlineAnalytics and encrypted backup start by default; both can be turned off | ✓ | ✓ |
| Encrypted iCloud syncOptional, end-to-end | ✓ | ✓ |
| Decoy under pressureA second space that hides the real one | Duress vault | Panic PIN (Pro Bundle or $9.99 add-on) |
| App icon disguiseChange the Home Screen icon. The name stays Vaultaire | 7 icons on Pro | 5 icons |
| Pattern lock derives the keyA pattern, not a typed PIN, unlocks the math | ✓ | PIN + Face ID |
| Recovery phraseGet back in if you forget the key | ✓ | Not stated |
| Encrypted vault sharingShare a vault without handing over keys | ✓ | ✗ |
| Multiple containers, each its own lockEach vault has its own keys | ✓ | ✓ |
| Photos, videos, and filesDocuments as well as media | ✓ | Photos & videos |
| Metadata stripped on shareRemoves EXIF and GPS when sharing out | Not offered | Automatic |
| Free tier availableReal encryption without paying | 3 vaults, 100 photos + 10 videos | 2 spaces, 50 photos |
| No ads or advertising SDKSettings-controlled analytics excludes vault data | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lifetime priceOne payment to own it | $39.99 | $34.99 Pro Bundle, $99.99 Lifetime |
Pricing Comparison
Vaultaire
- Up to 3 vaults, 100 photos and 10 videos total
- Encrypted iCloud backup
- Pattern lock
- AES-256-GCM encryption
- Camera & photo import
- Unlimited vaults & files
- Duress vault
- Multi-device sync
- Vault sharing
- Alternate icons & Home Screen tile
- Slideshow
- All Pro features
- 7-day free trial for new subscribers
- One-time payment
- All Pro features forever
- All Pro features for your Apple family through Family Sharing
- Sold on the App Store product page, not in the app
Inner Gallery
- 2 spaces, 50 photos
- Paid add-ons sold separately
- No ads
- Unlimited spaces and media
- Panic PIN and Cloud Sync included
- Everything in Pro Bundle
- Camouflage icons and all future features
- Panic PIN: $9.99
- Cloud Sync: $14.99
- Space Pack: $9.99
- Media Pack: $9.99
- Disguise Icons: $4.99
Two Real Vaults, Different Ciphers
Inner Gallery encrypts your media with ChaChaPoly, a modern authenticated cipher. It is a sound choice, fast on phones, and trusted in plenty of secure software. Vaultaire uses AES-256-GCM, the cipher most security auditors and compliance checklists expect by default. Both are strong. If you want the algorithm that draws the fewest questions in a security review, AES-256-GCM is the safer name to point to.
Past the cipher, both apps do the fundamentals right: on-device encryption, no account, an optional encrypted iCloud sync, and a decoy for moments of pressure. This is a comparison between two serious vaults.
What Each One Does Better
Inner Gallery wins on metadata. It strips EXIF and GPS metadata automatically when you share a photo out. Both apps offer camouflage icons: Inner Gallery ships five, and Vaultaire Pro ships seven. On iPhone, neither can change the name under the icon. If scrubbing metadata on the way out matters most, Inner Gallery is built for that.
Vaultaire separates key handling from the interface lock. The pattern derives a vault key that authenticates the encrypted index and unwraps its random master key, so there is no PIN to read and no biometric to compel. A recovery phrase can open an encrypted recovery envelope when the matching recovery records remain available. You can also share an entire vault through a separate encrypted transfer flow.
Price to Own
Both apps sell as one-time purchases, which beats a subscription for a vault you plan to keep. The gap is the number. Inner Gallery's $34.99 Pro Bundle unlocks unlimited spaces and media, Panic PIN and Cloud Sync, and its $99.99 Lifetime adds camouflage icons and all future features. Vaultaire's lifetime is $39.99, with everything included, or $19.99 a year if you prefer.
The Free Tier
Inner Gallery's free tier gives you two spaces and 50 photos with all features on. Vaultaire's free tier gives you up to three vaults holding 100 photos and 10 videos in total. Both let you confirm the encryption before paying. Vaultaire simply gives you more room to live in before the paywall.
Bottom Line
Inner Gallery and Vaultaire are both genuine encrypted vaults, and either will protect your photos far better than a PIN-only app. Choose Inner Gallery for its camouflage icons and automatic metadata scrubbing. Choose Vaultaire for AES-256-GCM, a pattern-derived key, a recovery phrase, encrypted vault sharing, and a $39.99 lifetime that includes every feature.
Read the full Inner Gallery review →
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Inner Gallery actually encrypted?
Yes. Inner Gallery encrypts media on-device with ChaChaPoly, requires no account, and keeps the key with you. It is a real encrypted vault. Vaultaire uses AES-256-GCM, the cipher most security reviews expect by default.
Which is cheaper, Vaultaire or Inner Gallery?
Inner Gallery's $34.99 Pro Bundle is the lower one-time price. It unlocks unlimited spaces and media, Panic PIN and Cloud Sync. Its $99.99 Lifetime adds camouflage icons and all future features. Vaultaire's $39.99 lifetime includes every feature, and its annual plan is $19.99.
What does Vaultaire add over Inner Gallery?
A pattern-derived key instead of a PIN, a recovery phrase, encrypted vault sharing, AES-256-GCM, and a larger free tier. Inner Gallery's edge is camouflage app icons and automatic metadata stripping when sharing.
The Same Security, Plus Recovery and Sharing.
Vaultaire encrypts locally with AES-256-GCM and needs no account. It has a free tier, and a lifetime license costs $39.99.
Download Vaultaire
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