Hidegrid vs Best Secret Folder
An honest look at how Hidegrid and Best Secret Folder differ, so you can pick the right one for you.
The short answer
Best Secret Folder locks photos with a password, pattern or Face ID and focuses on catching intruders with photos, location and an alarm. Hidegrid focuses on encryption: your pattern derives the key, files and names are encrypted with AES-256-GCM, and there are no ads.
Hidegrid and Best Secret Folder side by side
| Feature | Hidegrid | Best Secret Folder |
|---|---|---|
| How you unlock | Pattern on a 5×5 grid | Password, pattern, Face ID or Touch ID |
| Encryption details published | Yes: AES-256-GCM, key from PBKDF2 with 600,000 iterations | Not stated in the listing |
| Account needed | No | None stated |
| Backup and sync | Encrypted backup to your own iCloud; iPhone and iPad sync (Pro, coming in a free update) | None stated |
| Decoy or duress option | Duress pattern that silently erases a vault (Pro) | Intruder screen with fake videos |
| Break-in photo alerts | No | Yes, photo and location after 4 failed tries |
| Disguised app icon | Yes (Pro) | Not stated in the listing |
| Private in-app camera | Yes | Yes |
| Separate vaults with separate keys | Yes, each with its own pattern | Not stated in the listing |
| Platforms | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, Vision Pro |
| Pricing model | Free plan; Pro as subscription or one-time purchase | Free with ads; in-app purchases |
We checked Best Secret Folder against its public App Store listing, website or support pages on 28 October 2026. Features and prices change, so check the current listing. If something here is out of date, tell us and we will fix it.
Sources: apps.apple.com
Where Best Secret Folder is strong
Best Secret Folder has strong intruder features: photos, location capture and an alarm after failed tries.
Where Hidegrid is different
Hidegrid states how it encrypts your files and has no ads. It also supports several vaults, each with its own pattern, plus an encrypted iCloud backup.
Which one should you choose?
- Choose Best Secret Folder if catching intruders is your main goal.
- Choose Hidegrid if you want published encryption, multiple vaults and an encrypted backup.
Questions
Does Hidegrid photograph intruders?
No. Hidegrid relies on encryption and slow pattern checking instead.
Do both use pattern lock?
Yes. Hidegrid uses a larger 5×5 grid, and the pattern is also used to create the encryption key.
Does Hidegrid have ads?
No.
Keep private things private
Download Hidegrid and set up your first vault in under a minute.
Coming soon to the App StoreFree to start. No account needed.