PixelHush vs Cloak
Both PixelHush and Cloak help developers hide sensitive values in code editors. But they take fundamentally different approaches to when and how secrets get masked.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | PixelHush | Cloak |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-detection of screen recording | ✓ supported apps (macOS Built-in, OBS Studio, Zoom, Chrome, etc.) | ✕ |
| Manual toggle | ✓ Free tier | ✓ Only option |
| Supported editors | VS Code, Cursor, Windsurf, Antigravity | VS Code only |
| File types | .env, .json, .yaml, .toml, .properties, + more | .env only |
| Detection patterns | 48 built-in | Basic key=value in .env |
| Masking style | Dotted (•••••••••) | Single style (empty string) |
| Copy hidden value | ✓ Pro | ✕ |
| macOS menu bar app | ✓ Recording detection engine | ✕ |
| Files modified | Never | Never |
| Price | Free + Pro from $5/mo or $49/yr | Free |
The Key Difference: Manual vs Automatic
Cloak is a simple, well-made extension that hides values in .env files. You enable it, and values disappear. You disable it, and they come back. It does one thing and does it well.
The problem: if you're hiding secrets because you're recording your screen or sharing it on a call, the entire point is that you might forget to toggle it on. A manual switch doesn't protect against forgetting -- it just moves the thing you need to remember from "close the file" to "toggle the extension."
PixelHush eliminates the human element. Its macOS menu bar companion detects when OBS, QuickTime, Zoom, QuickTime, or any of supported recording apps start capturing your screen. It then signals the editor extension to mask secrets automatically. When recording stops, values are restored. You don't touch anything.
Beyond .env Files
Cloak focuses exclusively on .env files. PixelHush detects secrets across .env, .json, .yaml, .toml, .properties, and plain text files using 48 built-in patterns. It catches API keys, tokens, passwords, connection strings, private keys, and more -- regardless of file format.
Verdict
Choose Cloak if...
You only work with .env files, don't record your screen, and want a zero-config way to hide values while coding in a shared space.
Choose PixelHush if... Recommended
You record tutorials, stream code, share your screen on calls, or want comprehensive secret detection across multiple file formats with automatic protection that doesn't depend on you remembering to flip a switch.
