Review of mobile Safe Applications
Mobile safe applications gained popularity for a short period of time for its reliability and security. All applications have much in common, but still each of them has its special features to attract users.
Because of the great variety of mobile safe applications we decided to choose 4 most popular, test it and tell you the advantages and disadvantages of every of them.
Here is brief information about the applications to be analyzed:
| App name | Vendor | Price | Size, Kb |
|---|---|---|---|
| SplashID | SplashData | Buy $29.95 | 280 |
| X Safe 2 | Nova Epoc Systems | Buy $28.20 | 289 |
| Handy Safe | EPOCWARE | Buy $39.95 | 504 |
| Best Safe | Smartphoneware | Buy $11.95 | 251 |
We analyzed the following list of aspects and application details:
• Installation
• Trial period
• Interface
• Settings
• Help and Support
• Application in action
• Special features
All four applications from the list of compared are perfectly installed and don’t demand any additional special skills. That is why each of them is given the highest score.
SplashID – developers of this application offer you 30 days to try it before the final decision of purchasing it.
Score given: 10
X Safe 2 – unfortunately the trial period of this app is not indicated, though the trial version exists and you can download it.
Score given: 3
Handy Safe – this application has a 14-day functional trial version.
Score given: 7
Best Safe – trial period lasts 15 days.
Score given: 8
SplashID – the application safely and securely stores all of your personal identification information.
Main screen of the SplashID application has the following view:
It shows a customizable List View where you can specify a row color, font size and which columns to display.
Left soft key Options of this screen contains the following list of buttons:
• Add item – to create a new item
• Edit item – to modify fields of already existing item
• Delete item – to remove the current item
• Type – to choose which type to display
• Category – to choose which category to display
• Import – to import data
• Export – to export data
• Send list
• Infrared receive – to receive information via Infrared
• Set password – to set password to enter the application
• Mask fields – to mask the fields
• Font – to choose the type of the font
• Row colour – to choose the colour of the rows
• Show columns – to choose the way the columns are showed
• About SplashID
• Exit – exits the application
Score given: 7
X Safe 2 – is a perfect assistant for secure and convenient managing of all your important information.
The main screen of this application has the following view:
This screen shows you a tree view mode, which simplifies data browsing.
When clicking left soft key Options of this screen you will see the following list of buttons:
• Open – opens selected folder or entry
• New entry – creates new entry
• Delete – removes the selected folder or entry
• Rename – renames the selected folder
• New folder – creates new folder
• Mark/Unmark – marks or unmarks folders or entries
• Move to – moves individual folder or entry
• Tree view – switches program layout to Tree mode
• Templates – view/create/edit templates
• Lock – locks the program
• Compact database – compacts X Safe 2 database
• Settings – displays settings dialog
• Change password – changes X Safe 2 password
• Switch layout
• Register – to enter the registration code
• About – shows information about the program
• Help
• Exit – exits the application
Score given: 6
Handy Safe – is a perfect assistant for secure and convenient data managing.
The main screen has the following view:
It shows the list of folders.
Left soft key Options offers the following list of buttons:
• Open – to open the current folder
• New folder – to create a new folder
• Delete – to remove the current folder
• Rename – to change name of the current folder
• Find – to find a card
• Change password – to change the Handy Safe password
• Settings – to edit the settings
• Register – to enter the registration code
• About
• Exit – exits the application
Score given: 7
Best Safe – is a reliable and secure manager and organizer for your private data.
The main screen of the Best Safe application looks as follows:
At the beginning of the application usage the main screen contains no data. And only after creating at least one card, folder or note it will be displayed on the main screen.
Left soft key Options of this screen shows the following buttons:
• New – to create new card, folder or note
• Security – to set the password
• Import/Export – to import or export information
• Misc – shows the Register and About screens
• Exit – exits the application
Score given: 4
SplashID – this application doesn’t offer settings separated into an individual option; they are present in the left soft key menu:
• Font – to choose type of the font
o Font
- Small (default)
- Small-Bold
- Medium
- Large
o Encoding
• Row colour – to choose the colour of the rows
o Sky blue (default)
o Light green
o Cream
o Grey
o Dark grey
o Rose
o Orange
o Lime
o Green-blue
o Lavender
o Mint
o Violet
o Yellow
o Green
o Light blue
o White
• Show columns – to choose the way the columns are displayed
o Sort by
- Icon
- Type
- Category
- Field 1 (default)
- Field 2
- Note
o Sort ascending (Yes/No)
o Icon column (Shown/Hidden)
o Type column (Shown/Hidden)
o Category column (Shown/Hidden)
o Field 1 column (Shown/Hidden)
o Field 2 column (Shown/Hidden)
o Note column (Shown/Hidden)
o Show header (Yes/No)
Score given: 6
X Safe 2 – the application contains the following list of Settings to modify them:
• Editor style – to determine which editor style will be used when editing entries or templates
o Single line
o Double line (default)
• Display field icons – to display field type icons when editing entry or template (Yes(default)/No)
• Sort entries – to determine entry sort order
o By name
o By date (default)
• Layout – to choose the program’s main screen layout
o List view
o Tree view (default)
• Idle auto-lock period – to set program auto-lock period when there is no user activity (by default is set to 15 minutes)
• Lock in background – to specify lock action which will take place when the program goes to background
o Immediately
o After 3 minutes (default)
o Do not lock
Score given: 9
Handy Safe – here you can modify the following list of settings:
• Lock in background – to lock Handy Safe when you switch to another application
• Autolock – to lock Handy Safe after the specified timeout
Score given: 7
Best Safe – this application does not offer Settings options; this is not convenient as user can’t modify the application settings to one’s wishes.
The only setting option is offered for choosing the CSV field delimiter:
Score given: 4
SplashID – does not contain Help file, which really upsets, as during or even before the application usage user can read it to freely navigate in the application; it has an e-mail (info@splashdata.com) to contact a developer in case of any questions or suggestions.
We are glad that support department works efficiently and the answer to our question has been received in the course of 2 business days.
Score given: 7
X Safe 2 – the strange thing is that the left soft key menu Options contains the Help button, but when choosing it it’s displayed that “no help topics are available”; if you have questions regarding the X Safe 2 application you can contact the developers (support@epocnova.com).
The customers’ support sent no answer to our e-mail.
Score given: 3
Handy Safe – this application contains a detailed Help file available for separate application items; for additional help please turn to the support department available at 911@penreader.com
One question – no answer.
Score given: 7
Best Safe – unfortunately no Help file is available, though the application is not complicated; the e-mail to contact a developer in case of any questions or suggestions is support@smartphoneware.com
Thanks to the efficient work of the support department you can receive answer to any your question in the course of 1 business day.
Score given: 7
SplashID – when starting the application you have to enter the password and confirm it; in the process of application usage you can change it.
Next you will see the main screen which has the following view:
Left soft key Options contains the following list of buttons:
• Add item – to create a new item
• Edit item – to modify fields of already existing item
• Delete item – to remove the current item
• Type – to choose which type to display
• Category – to choose which category to display
• Import – to import data
• Export – to export data
• Send list
• Infrared receive – to receive information via Infrared
• Set password – to set password to enter the application
• Mask fields – to mask the fields
• Font – to choose the type of the font
• Row colour – to choose the colour of the rows
• Show columns – to choose the way the columns are showed
• About SplashID
• Exit – exits the application
To add new item user has to fill in the following fields:
• Type – from the list of the available types choose the needed one
• Category – from the list of the available categories choose the needed one
• Icon – the icon is automatically defines regarding the type you have chosen, but you can change it
• Description – to enter any text you want
The following fields depend on the type you have chosen. For example, if you choose Credit Cards for Type the following fields will be available:
• Type
• Category
• Icon
• Description
• Card # - to enter number of the card
• Exp Date – to enter the date of the card expiration
• Name – to enter name of the credit card
• PIN – to enter the PIN code
• Bank – to enter name of the bank
• Note – to enter the note text
Clicking left soft key Options of this screen you will see the following list of buttons:
• Customize fields – to alter fields and choose whether to mask it or not
• Edit types – you can create new, edit and delete types
• Edit categories – you can create new, edit and delete categories
• Done
You can watch the details of the current record by clicking on it; you will see the following screen:
The application supports SplashID Desktop for Windows which lets you easily view and edit personal information on your desktop computer.
Score given: 9
X Safe 2 – first time when you run X Safe 2 application you will be asked to set password and confirm it. When the password is set X Safe 2 initializes secure database for the first time.
After this you will see the main screen with sample folders and entries in a list view:
Left soft key Options contains the following list of buttons:
• Open – opens selected folder or entry
• New entry – creates new entry
• Delete – removes the selected folder or entry
• Rename – renames the selected folder
• New folder – creates new folder
• Mark/Unmark – marks or unmarks folders or entries
• Move to – moves individual folder or entry
• Tree view – switches program layout to Tree mode
• Templates – view/create/edit templates
• Lock – locks the program
• Compact database – compacts X Safe 2 database
• Settings – displays settings dialog
• Change password – changes X Safe 2 password
• Switch layout
• Register – to enter the registration code
• About – shows information about the program
• Help
• Exit – exits the application
To create new entry you have to click Options → New entry.
First you have to choose appropriate entry type:
Then depending on the type you have chosen, you will have to fill in the corresponding fields. For example, if you have chosen Address type next screen will have the following view:
• Place
• First name
• Last name
• Address
• City
• State
• Zip
• Phone
• Email
Left soft key Options of this screen contains the following list of buttons:
• Add detail – to add new field to the entry
• Save – to save changes
• Edit label – to edit field label
• Delete detail – to remove current field
• Add divider – to add field divider
• Discard changes – to discard all changes that have been made so far
• Delete entry – to remove current entry
Having created at least one new entry the screen will look as follows:
The application’s main screen uses list view layout by default:
If you want to display entries using tree control you can choose Options → Tree view:
Score given: 9
Handy Safe – at the first start you will be prompted to set a password for your data.
The main view shows the list of the folders:
Left soft key Options offers the following list of buttons:
• Open – to open the current folder
• New folder – to create a new folder
• Delete – to remove the current folder
• Rename – to change name of the current folder
• Find – to find a card
• Change password – to change the Handy Safe password
• Settings – to edit the settings
• Register – to enter the registration code
• About
• Exit – exits the application
To create new folder you have to click Options → New Folder and enter name of the folder.
It will be displayed in the list of folders on the main screen.
When opening any of the folders you will see –no cards- text there. That is why you have to click left soft key Options and there you will see the following list of buttons:
• New – to create a new card in a folder
• Find – to find a card
• Change password – to change password
• Settings
• Register
• Help
• About
• Exit
To create new card you have to click Options → New:
First you have to choose the card type and then depending on it fill in the corresponding fields.
For example, if you choose the Car info type the screen will have the following view:
After creating at least one card the folder look as follows:
To synchronize your data between phone and computer you have to install Handy Safe Desktop and carry out the corresponding procedure.
Score given: 8
Best Safe – first time when you open the application you don’t have to enter any password, but to enable the password protecting of your data you have to set it.
When starting Best Safe for the first time you will see the –no data- text. To start using the application you have to click left soft key Options. You will be able to perform the following actions:
Left soft key Options of this screen shows the following buttons:
• New – to create new card, folder or note
• Security – to set the password
• Import/Export – to import or export information
• Misc – shows the Register and About screens
• Exit – exits the application
To create new card you have to click Options → New → Card. Next step is selecting of the template and depending on the type chosen you will have to fill in the corresponding fields.
For example, if you have chosen the Contact template and filled in the needed fields you will see the following screen:
To create new folder you have to click Options → New → Folder and just enter the name of the new folder.
If you wish to write a note, click Options → New → Note and enter text of the note:
To set a new or change already existing password you have to click Options → Security. There you will have to enter and to confirm your password.
Score given: 6
If application contains interesting features which others don’t have, it attracts users’ attention.
SplashID – this application has the following list of special features:
• Mask fields – to mask the fields
• Row colour – to choose the colour of the rows
• Show columns – to choose the way the columns are showed
• Type – to choose which type to display
• Category – to choose which category to display
• SplashID Desktop – Windows application for using SplashID on your PC
Score given: 8
X Safe 2 – the special features of this app are:
• Tree view – switches program layout to Tree mode
• Compact database – compacts X Safe 2 database
• Switch layout
Score given: 6
Handy Safe – this application contains one special feature:
• Handy Safe Desktop – Windows application for using Handy Safe on your PC
Score given: 4
Best Safe –this application has no special features.
Score given: 2
Having analyzed all components and settings and given them the scores from 1 to 10, we have multiplied the scores by a corresponding importance factor in order to get the total score value of the application.
We have used the following Importance factor (IF) values:
• Installation: IF 2
• Trial period: IF 4
• Interface: IF 6
• Settings: IF 4
• Help and Support: IF 4
• Application in action: IF 10
• Special features: IF 8
The total possible score for an application would be 380 points.
Multiplying the score by Importance factors we have got the following table:
| SplashID | Handy Safe | X Safe 2 | Best Safe | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Installation | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
| Trial period | 40 | 28 | 12 | 32 |
| Interface | 42 | 42 | 36 | 24 |
| Settings | 24 | 28 | 36 | 16 |
| Help/Support | 28 | 28 | 12 | 28 |
| Application in action | 90 | 80 | 90 | 60 |
| Special Features | 64 | 32 | 48 | 16 |
| Total | 308 | 258 | 254 | 196 |
Test winner according to the overall application test is Splash ID from SplashData.
Having tested all four applications I’m not surprised that SplashID is a winner. The application is really interesting and convenient to use. Interesting, not similar to the rest interface, useful and manifold buttons attracted me as a simple user. I really advise you to try SplashID if you are looking for an app like this.
Handy Safe is also a decent application of the mobile safe software. It smoothly synchronizes with the PC application and is flexible for any kind of information user wants to protect.
Talking about X Safe 2 I would like to mention that this application is good, but not the best. It has interesting options, nice interface, and good set of settings. But still it is a bit dull and uninteresting.
Best Safe is the simplest in using, as contains poor set of options and therefore variety of its usage is rather narrow. The main disadvantage is that the password is not entered at the first start, and if user forgets to set it, all information remains unprotected. But still it remains a mobile safe application and when using it correctly it will serve you good.