Side-by-side
| Question | NullVault | Google Photos Locked Folder |
|---|---|---|
| Unlock credential | Vault-specific pattern | Device screen lock |
| Multiple separately addressed spaces | Yes | One Locked Folder experience |
| Visible master vault list | No ordinary list | Not applicable |
| Content types | Photos, videos, documents, files, notes | Photos and videos |
| Account required for local use | No | Google Photos experience is account-centered; local behavior varies with backup |
| Backup model | Portable encrypted backup with separate phrase | Optional Locked Folder backup to Google Account |
| Cross-device access | Restore a portable backup | Available on signed-in devices when Locked Folder backup is enabled |
Google states that people with the device screen lock can unlock Locked Folder, that it cannot use a different password, and that unbacked items can be lost after uninstall, app-data clearing, loss, damage, or reset. It also documents that only the selected original moves; related copies and previously shared versions may remain. See Google’s official Locked Folder help.
Which is better for separate identities or projects?
NullVault. Different patterns can address a personal vault, work vault, document vault, or decoy space without showing a master switcher. Locked Folder is simpler when one protected photo-and-video location is enough.
Which fits account-backed access across devices?
Google Photos may fit better when you intentionally want Google-account-backed cross-device availability. NullVault makes backup a separate encrypted artifact with a separate phrase. That gives more explicit custody choices but requires more discipline.
Example: Dani wants hidden family photos available on a tablet and web browser; backed-up Locked Folder aligns with that convenience. Morgan wants one offline document vault and another media vault with unrelated patterns and no required account; NullVault aligns with that compartmentalization.
Which encrypts better?
Avoid reducing this to a marketing algorithm contest. Google says Locked Folder uses Google Photos’ standard encryption practices and the device or account access boundary. NullVault documents app-managed AES-256-GCM encryption for content, filenames, metadata, and previews, with its own pattern-derived access design. The better model depends on who you want to trust and how you need recovery to work.
When each option fits
Google Photos Locked Folder is best for integrated photo-library convenience. NullVault is best for independent vault credentials, multiple undisclosed spaces, broader file types, account-free local use, and portable encrypted backup control.
Comparison reviewed: 12 September 2026. NullVault Team compared published product documentation; this is not an independent security audit.