A one-time photo vault purchase can unlock app features without a recurring app subscription. The important question is what the purchase includes: local storage, future updates, family use and cloud storage can have different terms.
Encamera and Vaultaire currently list named one-time options in the US App Store. Compare those offers below, including the difference between a full lifetime purchase and an option with a limited window for new features.
These are named offers shown in current public US listings. Amounts are in USD and were checked on 1 November 2026. Check the offer available inside the app before paying; the confirmation sheet determines your actual purchase.
On smaller screens, scroll the table horizontally to compare every column.
US one-time offers. Source check: 1 November 2026.
App
Offer
Listed price
Feature and update scope
Cloud scope
Encamera
Lifetime
USD 99.99
Premium features and future updates under the developer’s stated terms.
Your own iCloud capacity is separate.
Encamera
Limited Lifetime
USD 49.99
Acquired premium features remain. One year of new major features; later additions may cost extra.
Local use or your own iCloud; not hosted storage included.
Vaultaire
Pro Lifetime
USD 39.99
Named individual lifetime app upgrade. Recurring alternatives also listed.
Extra iCloud capacity is separate.
Vaultaire
Pro Family Lifetime
USD 99.99
Separate family lifetime offer. Check eligibility and sharing in the app.
Storage is chosen per album: on the device or in your own iCloud account. General document storage is advertised, but supported formats and preview behavior should be checked.
Backup and recovery
Your own iCloud; local copies matter offline. Key phrase; optional key backup via iCloud Keychain. A phrase does not replace missing photo files.
Check before you choose
iCloud albums need a local copy for offline access. Its privacy policy describes usage analytics and purchase-data services.
The developer documents local storage without an identity account, plus photos, videos and general files. Backup uses iCloud storage; backup and multi-device sync are separate features.
Backup and recovery
iCloud backup starts on and can be disabled. Pattern and recovery phrase are separate access paths; the developer does not offer an email reset.
Check before you choose
iCloud backup, analytics and crash diagnostics start enabled. Media optimization is also on by default; check the Original setting.
Free download does not mean all features are free. Public US listings and developer documentation checked 1 November 2026; no native device, checkout or restore tests performed. Store offers can change.
“Lifetime” describes an offer, not one universal entitlement
Encamera illustrates why the label needs more detail. Its full Lifetime option includes future app updates under the described terms. Limited Lifetime retains the premium features you receive, but includes only the first year of new major features. Later major additions can require another optional purchase; already unlocked core features do not simply expire after that year.
Vaultaire lists separate individual and family lifetime options. Do not assume that the individual offer covers the family plan. Its Pro purchase also does not buy extra Apple iCloud storage: backup uses the storage available in the Apple Account.
Separate the app upgrade from cloud storage
A local app-feature purchase can be non-recurring while the storage account you choose has a recurring charge. Check where backups go, how much capacity is included and whether a cloud subscription is optional. “Unlimited photos” in an app is not the same as unlimited hosted storage bytes.
If avoiding every recurring cost is the goal, consider a local workflow and your existing storage before buying a cloud-dependent service. The offline comparison explains the distinction between keeping files locally and backing them up elsewhere.
Why the other catalogue apps are not confirmed one-time matches
Keepsafe: older support material refers to a lifetime plan, but a current US one-time offer and price were not established. Private Photo Vault: a generic Upgrade listing does not establish whether the current purchase is non-recurring or what it covers. Neither is counted as a confirmed one-time match.
Some developers provide different offers by country, purchase path or existing-customer status. A generic “Upgrade” item does not tell us its period or complete scope. We keep that uncertainty visible rather than turning it into a claim that no one-time option exists.
Before you confirm a purchase
Read the exact offer name, full amount and currency.
Check whether it is one payment, a subscription or a trial that renews.
Confirm the included features, update rights and family scope.
Check separate cloud capacity and any service charges.
Review purchase restoration and the account needed to use it.
The current storefront price is more useful than an old launch article. For example, Encamera’s older lifetime announcement quotes a different amount; this ledger uses the current US listing and retains the older article only for its explanation of update rights.
