Four digital estate planning services. One question: which one actually protects your heirs when you're gone?
The only service in this comparison with client-side encryption and automatic trigger logic. Your secrets never exist on a server in readable form — PulseVault literally cannot read what you store. Cheapest full-featured option at $2.99/mo flat.
Full Feature Comparison
All features evaluated as of April 2026. Scroll right on mobile.
| Feature | PulseVault | DGLegacy | GoodTrust | Clocr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $2.99/mo | Free / $9.99/mo | $4.99/mo | $2.49–$5.99/mo |
| Client-Side Encryption | ✅ Yes AES-256-GCM, zero-knowledge |
❌ No Server-side only |
❌ No Server-side only |
❌ No Basic cloud encryption |
| Automatic Release Mechanism | ✅ Dead man's switch 90/30/120-day escalation |
⚠️ Partial Time-based (premium only) |
❌ Manual only Executor must request access |
⚠️ Scheduled Time capsule delivery only |
| Check-in Frequency | Customizable Default 90-day windows |
Manual or annual Limited auto reminders |
Manual No automated escalation |
Fixed date Set delivery date at creation |
| Heir Notification | ✅ Automatic Email + access instructions delivered |
Email alerts Heir must claim access |
Digital executor Executor-mediated access |
Email delivery On scheduled date |
| Supported Assets | Passwords, crypto keys, documents, notes, any text | Documents, account list, basic credentials | Social media, digital accounts, documents, photos | Documents, photos, messages, letters |
| Setup Time | Under 2 minutes | 5–15 minutes | 15–30 minutes | 10–20 minutes |
| Free for Heirs | ✅ Yes — always | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Why PulseVault Wins on Privacy & Price
Three reasons it's not close.
PulseVault encrypts your vault with AES-256-GCM before anything leaves your device. The server stores ciphertext only. A server breach, a subpoena, a rogue employee — none of them can read your secrets. Every other service in this comparison can read what you store.
GoodTrust requires an executor to manually request access after you die. DGLegacy's trigger requires premium + manual setup. PulseVault's dead man's switch fires automatically — 90-day check-in window, 30-day reminder, then 120-day release. No paperwork, no human bottleneck.
DGLegacy's meaningful features require the $9.99/mo premium tier. GoodTrust is $4.99/mo. PulseVault is $2.99/mo flat — everything included. No upsells. No basic vs premium. One plan, full protection, cheapest price in this comparison.
When to Choose a Competitor
Honest take — PulseVault isn't the answer for everyone.
You want a free starting point for basic document storage and account inventory. The free tier is legitimate. Upgrade to paid only if you need time-triggered releases and don't mind server-side encryption.
Your main concern is social media legacy — memorialization, account deletion, digital executor for Facebook/Instagram. GoodTrust has the strongest social platform integrations. Less useful for passwords and crypto.
You want to leave letters, photos, and personal messages on a specific future date (wedding, graduation, milestone). It's a time capsule tool more than an estate planning tool. Not ideal for credentials or crypto.
Under 2 minutes to set up. Client-side AES-256 encryption. Your heirs get access automatically — no lawyers, no paperwork.
Start Your Vault — $2.99/moFree for your heirs · Cancel anytime · No hidden fees
Frequently Asked Questions
The key difference is encryption model. PulseVault uses client-side AES-256 encryption — your secrets are encrypted on your device before reaching the server. DGLegacy uses server-side encryption, meaning DGLegacy holds the decryption keys. PulseVault is also cheaper ($2.99/mo vs $9.99/mo for DGLegacy's meaningful tier) and includes automatic dead man's switch triggering.
For passwords, crypto keys, and sensitive credentials — yes. PulseVault is cheaper ($2.99 vs $4.99/mo) and uses client-side encryption that GoodTrust doesn't offer. GoodTrust is stronger for social media legacy planning with its digital executor features. Pick based on what you're protecting.
A dead man's switch is a system that activates when you stop responding. PulseVault sends check-in emails on a 90-day cycle. If you miss the first check-in, it sends a reminder after 30 days. If you miss the escalation window, it releases your vault to your designated heir automatically. No court order, no executor, no delay. Learn more about digital dead man's switches →
Yes. Your vault is encrypted with AES-256-GCM using a key derived from your master password. The plaintext never leaves your browser. PulseVault stores only ciphertext — even a full database dump would reveal nothing readable. This is the same model used by password managers like Bitwarden and 1Password.
DGLegacy has a free tier for basic account inventory and document storage. It's a legitimate starting point if you're not yet ready to pay. For crypto keys and passwords where encryption model matters, PulseVault's $2.99/mo is the lowest-cost option with real protection.
Because PulseVault uses client-side encryption, you always hold the encryption key (derived from your master password). Your vault data is portable — if the service goes away, you can export and decrypt locally. With server-side encrypted competitors, service shutdown could mean permanent data loss.