Overview
SplashID is a portable database that allows you to keep all your confidential information safe and secure in your iPhone. With a companion client available for both Mac and PC, the software allows easy access to any information you put into it. This access is limited only to those who know the password, though – the data is encrypted using 256-bit Blowfish encryption, which currently has no known weakness. With a $10 price tag and $20 for the desktop software it’s not cheap, but this is your security we’re talking about. Checking out the reviews and some of the competitors, SplashID does seem to be the top of the line in password managers.
Features
- Growing All The Time
SplashID is on version 4.6, which is pretty high, especially for an iPhone app. The developers are constantly updating this, and apparently a lot of the features I took for granted at first are brand new, like search filters, information on when you last synced, and optimized database browsing.
- Desktop Integration
Using the SplashID desktop client, you can sync data wirelessly from computer to phone and vice-versa. This makes data entry much easier – you don’t have to do it on the tiny keyboard on your phone! The syncing process is fast, easy, and secure.
- Sleek Interface
This app is designed to look and act like the contacts list for your iPhone. They’re not identical, but the interface is still a pleasure to use.
- Security!
The encryption on this program is currently only crackable through brute force attacks. If your password is strong, your information will be safe and snug.
Breakdown
The Good:
SplashID is a snap to use. Enter data either on your iPhone or your computer, and have them synced up within seconds. The operation of either component is fairly self-explanatory, but there’s a fairly robust User Guide on the desktop version if you get lost. You can set the program to lock immediately after you exit it or lock your iPhone, so that the only time it’s not password protected is when you’re looking at it.
I have to admit, I had some reservations about putting such sensitive information into a program on my iPhone. Doing some research calmed me down a bit – SplashID uses some of the best encryption out there, and in order to break into the application a thief would (apparently) need WAY more processing power and time than your average hacker has. We’re talking millions of supercomputers and more than a few years here. Since I don’t consider myself or my information important enough (in the grand scheme of things) to spend any considerable amount of time to hack, I feel a good deal safer using SplashID.
The program does not upload information to the web at any point. This is hugely important and it would be an instant deal breaker if this weren’t the case. Your information is stored locally on your phone and computer, nowhere else. As a virtual safe, SplashID is very complete, if not perfect. The only reservation I have about the program is my own nervousness about storing sensitive information electronically. However, that’s my hangup, and it’s not an issue with SplashID.
Though I initially balked at the price of the whole package ($30 for both the iPhone app and the desktop client), I looked up the price of some popular antivirus software. $40 at Best Buy. This is a similar security-based program for less, with integration between your mobile and your main computer. The potential uses for this app are wide-ranging, and honestly, if you don’t want the desktop client, the app for your phone is fully functional – just kinda tedious to enter data into.
Verdict
If you are looking for a password manager for your iPhone, I’d definitely recommend SplashID. It’s got better encryption than competitors, and the interface and sync capabilities just plain work. Instead of storing your information in text files or on post-it notes, put it into this vault of an app. Personally, I think I’m going to stick with it for storing CD keys for games and the like. Whether I become comfortable enough to put my debit card’s PIN in there? We’ll see.
SplashID is great in its own right, but I decided to give it the full 5 because of the developer support. Having read numerous anecdotes about speedy customer service, and observing that the app has just kept growing and growing with no extra cost to the user, I feel like SplashData is seriously invested in the quality of their product. Different apps do different things, so the “perfect” score doesn’t mean SplashID is my favorite app of all time, or even that it’s perfect. It is, however, one of the most useful, practical applications on the iPhone I’ve encountered thus far.
**UPDATE**: Justin Cepelak from SplashData wrote in to let us know that while Blowfish encryption could, in theory, be cracked by a brute force attack, SplashID will reset the database after 10 failed logins. Problem solved! Thanks, Justin.
Our Rating
SplashID
- Developer: SplashData
- Category: Productivity
- Released: 6-27-08
(currently 5.4.1)
(currently 9.99)
Another good thing about Splash ID is that the developer has been making Mac software for years, and makes this product for other phones. If, god forbid, you later decide you need a different phone in a couple of years, the odds are you can get Splash ID for that phone (and the data goes with you). This was the one very good app I had on the Palm Treo, and they offered a free update to the desktop program (I had to pay for the $10 phone app) – and I was up and running with all my data in minutes.
Not a huge deal, but worth noting. The app running on the iPhone will not allow you to customize the number of fields shown. So, if you add data to more than 3 fields on the desktop application, you can’t see them on your iPhone unless you go into edit mode. It’s inconvenient if you have more data than just a username and password.
David, Unless you are just remembering all your important passwords I would not worry about storing your important password on this – its FAR better & safer than any other way!
Of note – I’m a Password Plus user looking to move to this (because PP currently does not run on iPhone). PP exports the data + the label for each field whereas SplashID only imports the data. I will still need to go into each record and ensure each LABEL is correct.
Since late 2008 I’d used SplashID to secure and sync my data on my iPod Touch and Mac desktop. On two separate occasions SplashID deleted sensitive password data from the SplashID folder, splashing it into Oblivion. Both times I opened the program to see no data, just three blank columns of white screen. Only Time Machine backups saved my butt.
Twice burned was enough for me.
Last week I recovered and restored my SplashID data, and in a New York minute exported my data to 1Password. I’m happy with 1Password’s features, including the “Backup Data File” menu that, in one operation, backs up my data AND opens the Backup folder to reveal WHERE my backed-up data is located. Syncing with my iPod Touch is now 100% reliable, compared to the headaches I’ve had with syncing with SplashID.
Bottom line: If you value your data, think twice about buying SplashID.
They do update it a bit. But they charge you for the updates on the desktop client.