Pricing is the most common complaint in vault app reviews. In the most recent one- and two-star reviews of eight popular vault apps, which we read in October 2026, subscriptions and paywalls came up 67 times, more than lost photos. Here's which vaults let you pay once, which show ads, and the question that matters most: what happens to your photos if you stop paying.
Why does a vault's pricing matter more than most apps'?
Because the app holds your photos. If a music app's subscription lapses, you lose music you can stream elsewhere. If a vault limits access when you stop paying, your own photos are on the other side of the paywall. Check the "if I stop paying" rule before you move a library in.
Which photo vaults have a one-time purchase?
These apps list an in-app purchase named lifetime, permanent or similar on their US App Store page (22 October 2026). Names are the developers'; we haven't bought them.
| App | One-time option (as listed) | Subscriptions also listed |
|---|---|---|
| NoxiumOur app | Pro Lifetime $44.99 | $2.99/month, $19.99/year |
| Vaultaire | Pro Lifetime $39.99 | Weekly, monthly, annual |
| Obscura | Obscura Pro $39.99 | $6.99/month, $29.99/year |
| PV – Secret Photo Album | Permanent Membership $41.99 | Monthly, yearly, cloud tiers |
| Privault | Permanent Pro $45.99 | $3.49/month, $24.99/year |
| MaxVault | Lifetime Premium $79.99–$99.99 | $7.99/month, $29.99/year |
| Encamera | Lifetime $99.99; Limited Lifetime $49.99 | Weekly, monthly, yearly |
| Secret Photo Vault – Lock Photos | Pro Version $6.99 | None listed |
Keepsafe, SPV and HiddenVault list Premium plans and subscriptions but no purchase named lifetime or permanent. Private Photo Vault lists Premium plans and an "Upgrade" for $39.99; its listing doesn't say whether that is one-time. Full price ranges for 17 apps are in our comparison.
Which photo vault apps show ads?
From each developer's own App Store description and purchase list:
- Calculator# says it is "free with ads".
- Privault sells "Remove ADs" for $2.99.
- KYMS sells "Remove advertising" for $4.99.
- PV – Secret Photo Album lists "Ad Free" as a paid feature.
- Noxium, Vaultaire and Encamera say no ads.
Ads matter more than annoyance here: ad networks are a common reason an app's privacy label lists "Data Used to Track You". In our comparison, 9 of 17 vault apps reported tracking data.
What do free plans include?
Free plans differ in what they cap. From each app's listing or help pages:
- Noxium: 150 photos, 10 videos, unlimited notes, 1 decoy vault, and encrypted iCloud backup and restore.
- Vaultaire: up to 3 vaults, 100 photos and 10 videos in total, with encrypted iCloud backup.
- Keepsafe: the free plan covers your first 200 items (Keepsafe Help Center).
- Apple's Hidden album and locked notes: free and unlimited, apart from your iCloud storage.
Check whether backup is in the free plan. Some vaults charge for cloud backup, which means a free user's photos exist only on one phone.
What happens to your photos if you stop paying?
Read this before anything else. The good answer is: you keep full access to everything already in the vault, including export and backup, and only new imports or premium features stop. The bad answer is anything that limits viewing, exporting or restoring your existing photos.
Noxium's rule, which we make: if Pro ends, you keep full access to view, export and back up everything already in your vault. Only adding past the free limits and Pro features (unlimited items, emergency erase, iPhone and iPad sync, custom icons, album patterns, shared vaults) pause.
Try Noxium free: join the beta →
How do you choose a vault you won't regret paying for?
- Start free with a few dozen photos and a couple of videos. Test import, playback, export and backup.
- Find the "stop paying" rule in the app or its support pages.
- Compare a year of subscription with the one-time price. If you'll use it for years, one-time usually wins.
- Check the privacy label for "Data Used to Track You".
- Check Family Sharing if others in your household want it.
Pay once, or not at all
Noxium is free for 150 photos and 10 videos, with no ads and encrypted iCloud backup. Pro is $2.99 a month, $19.99 a year, or $44.99 once.
Join the beta Version 1.0 was submitted to App Store review in October 2026. It is not on the App Store yet.Questions people ask
Is there a photo vault app with no subscription?
Yes. Several sell a one-time purchase, including Vaultaire, Obscura, Noxium, Privault and PV, according to their App Store listings in October 2026. Apple's Hidden album and locked notes are free.
Which photo vault app has no ads?
Noxium, Vaultaire and Encamera say they have no ads. Apps such as Calculator#, Privault and KYMS show ads in their free versions or sell ad removal.
Will I lose my photos if I cancel a vault subscription?
It depends on the app. Some keep full access to existing photos; others limit access or features. Check the app's rule before you subscribe. In Noxium you keep full access to view, export and back up everything.
Is a lifetime vault purchase worth it?
If you plan to use the vault for more than two or three years, a one-time purchase usually costs less than the subscription. Try the free plan first to make sure the app works for you.
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