Hidden Folder vs Vaultaire
Vaultaire is an iPhone and iPad vault that exists today. Hidden Folder is a vault being built for the Mac, and it is not released. If you need a vault on your phone right now, Vaultaire is the one to look at. If you need one on your Mac, planned as open source with analytics off by default, that is what Hidden Folder aims to be.
Same idea, different device. Vaultaire is on iPhone today. This vault is being built for the Mac.
Verdict. Different platforms with similar ideas: a pattern lock, hidden vaults, a recovery phrase and a duress mode. The differences we can source are the device and the analytics default. This project plans to publish its source code. The Vaultaire pages we read do not say whether its code is open.
Pick Vaultaire if
- You want a vault on iPhone or iPad today.
- You want an app that is already released.
- You do not need it on your Mac.
Pick Hidden Folder if
- You want a vault on your Mac, once it is released.
- You want a vault whose source code is planned to be public.
- You want analytics off unless you switch them on.
| Feature | Hidden Folder | Vaultaire |
|---|---|---|
| Native Mac app | ✓native macOS app, planned. Needs macOS 14 Sonoma or later | ✕its site describes an iPhone and iPad app and does not mention a Mac app |
| Encrypts file contents | ✓AES-256-GCM, planned. Not yet audited | ✓AES-256-GCM, per its security features page |
| Encrypts file names | ✓planned. Files get random names on disk, and metadata is encrypted | ✓its security features page says file names are encoded into encrypted file headers |
| Works without an account | ✓planned. No account | ✓its privacy policy says "Vaultaire requires no account" |
| Source code is open | ◐planned as open source (GPL-3.0). The source is not public yet | –not stated on its site |
| Pattern unlock | ✓planned. 5×5 pattern | ✓5×5 grid, at least 6 dots and at least one direction change, per its site |
| Several hidden vaults, no list | ✓planned. Each pattern opens its own vault, with no vault list | ✓its site says no screen lists vault names. It also says someone examining the files can estimate how many vaults exist |
| Duress mode | ◐planned for v1.1, paid plan | ✓marked Vaultaire Pro on its duress mode page |
| Encrypted cloud backup | ◐encrypted iCloud backup, planned for v1.0 | ✓its site says encrypted iCloud backup is on by default, in the free version and in Pro |
| Analytics off by default | ✓planned. Off by default, opt-in | ✕its privacy policy says analytics and crash diagnostics are enabled by default, with an off switch in Settings |
| Free to use | ◐a free tier and a paid plan are planned. Prices not final | ◐its site lists a free tier of up to 3 vaults holding 100 photos and 10 videos in total, and a Pro tier. It gives no prices |
Hidden Folder describes planned behaviour from its public spec. The app is not released. Facts about Vaultaire were checked on Oct 30, 2026 against its own page. Not affiliated with Vaultaire. Marks: yes, no, partly, not stated.
The same design, in two places
Vaultaire's pages describe a random 256-bit master key, vault keys derived with PBKDF2-HMAC-SHA512, and AES-256-GCM for file content. Hidden Folder is planned to follow the same model. We do not reuse Vaultaire's words, art or code.
Where they differ
- Device. Vaultaire runs on iPhone and iPad. This vault is a Mac app.
- Source code. This project plans to publish its source code (GPL-3.0). The Vaultaire pages we read do not say whether its code is open.
- Analytics. Vaultaire's privacy policy says analytics and crash diagnostics are enabled by default and can be turned off in Settings. Here they are planned to be off by default.
- Maturity. Vaultaire is released. This app is not, and has not been audited.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a Vaultaire for Mac?
Its site describes an iPhone and iPad app. The pages we read on 30 Oct 2026 do not mention a Mac version.
Is this the same company as Vaultaire?
No. This project is independent and not affiliated with Vaultaire.
Can I move my vault from Vaultaire to this app?
This app is not released, so there is no import path today. Ask Vaultaire whether it can export your files.
Which is safer?
We cannot say. This app is not released and has not been audited. The Vaultaire pages we read do not mention an independent audit.
References
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