Two photo vaults. Two different ideas about what a vault is.

PICK APPVAULT IF

• You want zero-server architecture AppVault has no account database, no analytics backend, and no media servers — nothing to breach. Keepsafe has had public security incidents tied to account password disclosure; AppVault has nothing equivalent to disclose.
• You travel internationally The Calculator Launcher and Decoy Vault are first-class features. Border inspections see a calculator, not a photo vault icon. Keepsafe’s Private Cloud is a paid feature behind a separate password but the home-screen icon still reads "Keepsafe".
• You want a one-time payment AppVault’s $29.99 lifetime tier includes all future updates. Keepsafe has no lifetime option; the comparable tier (Premium) is subscription-only at multiple times the annual rate.
• You care about exact cryptographic detail AppVault’s Security page links every claim — cipher, key derivation, mode of operation, Secure Enclave usage — to its primary source (NIST, RFC, Apple). Keepsafe’s public documentation says "AES-256" without specifying mode, key derivation, or whether keys are bound to hardware.

PICK KEEPSAFE IF

• You want maximum platform support Keepsafe has been shipping since 2010 across iOS, Android, web, and macOS. Sync is built around the Keepsafe account. AppVault is iPhone and iPad only and explicitly does not plan a web client.
• You want automatic sync between devices via a single account Keepsafe’s default model is "sign in once, photos sync everywhere through our servers". AppVault’s only cross-device path is client-side encrypted iCloud backup, which is opt-in and requires you to draw the same pattern on the second device.
• You need a long, established install base for trust signals Keepsafe is a known brand with hundreds of millions of installs over fifteen years. AppVault is a 2026 launch. If brand longevity is your primary trust signal, that is a Keepsafe argument.