Bottom Line - Cryptmagic is best; Minisafe is good too

Both of these applications will work fine for a user, I now favor Cryptmagic. They both have slightly different interfaces and pros and cons. In the end, they securely save your data such as passwords, serial numbers, access codes, and web logins, and enable you to quickly get to them on both your desktop and your Blackberry. I have been a Minisafe user and recently obtained Cryptmagic, and have become a convert. Below are some of my observations.

Cryptmagic can be obtained for $34.75.
Minisafe can be obtained here for $29.75. They also sell MiniExcel and MiniRingtone and you can get package deals.

Both of the sites have screen shots which you should study. I suggest you open both product pages in new windows and then follow along with my commentary below.

The Desktop

Notice the desktops first- In Cryptmagic, you see a tree view, with the data on the right side. Cryptmagic doesn't offer a table or list view for the desktop like they do for the handheld. The Cryptmagic desktop does provide for automatic filling of passwords on web sites if you have the exact sign in website entered correctly. The feature needs more coverage in their manual, but it's a unique feature. One of the best features of the Cryptmagic desktop is the button next to each field to copy it to the clipboard. This saves the drag to highlight and keystrokes to save. I love this feature.

In Minisafe, you see can show a list view with the data for that item in a box on the right side. There are sort able columns and partial match filtering. Either way will work, and typing the first few letters of an item will cause you to jump to that item. One thing about the Minisafe desktop is that when you change the data type, the field names on the left side don't change, but you see them correctly on the right side view of that item.

Both have predefined but customizable templates, with Cryptmagic allowing 10 fields and Minisafe allowing 5 fields.

Handheld View

The view on the Handheld is more flexible with Cryptmagic, as it offers a tree, table and list view whereas Minisafe only offers a table view. You have a number of customizable options here. I really like the delayed logout. Often you accidentally log out, and want to go back. This feature allows you to do this without retyping your password. While both allow you to easily filter for a specific item, I prefer the tree interface of Cryptmagic. Both applications show icons on the 8700 quite nicely. Both could benefit from showing the icons in a larger size on the 8700.

Importing

In terms of importing Minisafe allows you do it through the desktop which is slightly easier than Cryptmagic's approach which requires you to use the Intellisync function of the BB Desktop manager. You need to carefully follow Cryptmagic's directions and be familiar with the Desktop Manager Intellisync software.

Multiple PC's

The ability to install the desktop program on other PC's and copy over the data file is a tremendous benefit for me. For example, I synch on my office laptop, but keep copies of the data files on my home PC's for easy access. The Cryptmagic install will work with or without the RIM Desktop Manager installed. You can put the Desktop Manager on all your PC's and use it to synch these programs only if you want too.

Two Way Sync

Both programs offer full two way sync between the Blackberry and PC. The Cryptmagic add-in runs without any input or feedback, and seems to be accurate and secure. The Minisafe add-in requires you to put in your password. There is speculation that this could be a security risk. Upon completion it tells you how many items synced.

Screenshots can be found here: http://home.comcast.net/~tamsterra/O...ryptmagic1.htm

Screenshots, screenshots, screenshots - make the review...