Best Journal Apps in 2026
Updated
In short: Day One is ranked #1 of 34 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Journey and Apple Journal. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Journey. The lowest first paid tier on this page is Daybook at $3.33/mo.
Whether you write short notes or longer reflections, journal apps can help you record and revisit entries. Compared on end-to-end encryption, privacy lock, offline access, search and filters, and export formats, the options offer useful points to weigh for keeping and finding your writing. Media attachments and platform coverage matter if you want to include other content or use the app across devices. Day One, Daybook and Journey are among the apps shown. Free-plan availability and paid-from pricing add cost context; consider these alongside how you want to write, protect and access your journal.
34 journal apps ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
Recognised 40% · Phone app 26% · Documented 20% · Free plan 14% of the score
- 1 Day One iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 9.7$4.17/mo Media attachments: YesOffline access: YesPrivacy lock: Yes
- 2 Journey iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 9.7$4.17/mo Media attachments: YesOffline access: YesPrivacy lock: Yes
- 3 Apple Journal iPhone only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 9.5Free Media attachments: YesPrivacy lock: Yes
- 4 Diarium iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 9.5Free Media attachments: YesOffline access: YesPrivacy lock: Yes
- 5 Diarly iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 9.4Free Media attachments: YesOffline access: YesPrivacy lock: Yes
- 6 Penzu iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 9.4Free Media attachments: YesOffline access: YesPrivacy lock: Yes
- 7 Stoic iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 9.2Free Media attachments: YesPrivacy lock: Yes
- 8 Daybook iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 9.0$3.33/mo Media attachments: YesPrivacy lock: Yes
- 9 Diaro iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 8.6Free Media attachments: YesPrivacy lock: Yes
- 10 Penso Notes iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 8.5Free Media attachments: YesOffline access: YesPrivacy lock: Yes
- 11 Lugelo iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 8.4 Media attachments: YesOffline access: YesPrivacy lock: Yes
- 12 Daylio iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 8.4
- 13 Momento iPhone only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 8.4Free Media attachments: YesPrivacy lock: Yes
- 14 Local Journal iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 8.3Free Media attachments: YesOffline access: YesPrivacy lock: Yes
- 15 Rosebud iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 8.3$9/mo Media attachments: YesPrivacy lock: Yes
- 16 Grid Diary iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 8.2 Media attachments: YesPrivacy lock: Yes
- 17 Cozy iPhone only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.8 Media attachments: YesOffline access: Yes
- 18 Everlog iPhone only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.8 Media attachments: YesPrivacy lock: Yes
- 19 Reflectly iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.6Free
- 20 Clearful iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.5 Media attachments: YesPrivacy lock: Yes
- 21 Family Journal iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.2 Media attachments: Yes
- 22 Goodnight Journal iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.1
- 23 Waffle iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.0 Media attachments: Yes
- 24 FIVE iPhone only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.8 Media attachments: YesPrivacy lock: Yes
- 25 Journal - From Me iPhone only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.8
Compare all 25 in a table
| # | App | Score | Free plan | From | Free plan | Paid from | Media attachments | Offline access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Day One | 9.7 | Free plan | $4.17/mo | Yes | — | Yes | Yes |
| 2 | Journey | 9.7 | Free plan | $4.17/mo | Yes | 4.17 /mo | Yes | Yes |
| 3 | Apple Journal | 9.5 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Yes | — |
| 4 | Diarium | 9.5 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Yes | Yes |
| 5 | Diarly | 9.4 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Yes | Yes |
| 6 | Penzu | 9.4 | Free plan | — | Yes | — | Yes | Yes |
| 7 | Stoic | 9.2 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Yes | — |
| 8 | Daybook | 9.0 | Free plan | $3.33/mo | Yes | 3.49 /mo | Yes | — |
| 9 | Diaro | 8.6 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Yes | — |
| 10 | Penso Notes | 8.5 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Yes | Yes |
| 11 | Lugelo | 8.4 | No | — | Yes | — | Yes | Yes |
| 12 | Daylio | 8.4 | No | — | Yes | — | — | — |
| 13 | Momento | 8.4 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Yes | — |
| 14 | Local Journal | 8.3 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Yes | Yes |
| 15 | Rosebud | 8.3 | Free plan | $9/mo | Yes | 12.99 /mo | Yes | — |
| 16 | Grid Diary | 8.2 | No | — | Yes | — | Yes | — |
| 17 | Cozy | 7.8 | No | — | No | — | Yes | Yes |
| 18 | Everlog | 7.8 | No | — | Yes | — | Yes | — |
| 19 | Reflectly | 7.6 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | — | — |
| 20 | Clearful | 7.5 | No | — | Yes | 9.99 /mo | Yes | — |
| 21 | Family Journal | 7.2 | No | — | Yes | — | Yes | — |
| 22 | Goodnight Journal | 7.1 | No | — | Yes | 5.99 /mo | — | — |
| 23 | Waffle | 7.0 | No | — | Yes | — | Yes | — |
| 24 | FIVE | 6.8 | No | — | Yes | — | Yes | — |
| 25 | Journal - From Me | 6.8 | No | — | Yes | — | — | — |
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which journal app is ranked first on Samsung Mobile US Press?
Day One is ranked #1 of 34 with a score of 9.7. Journey is second and Apple Journal third.
How many of these have a free plan?
14 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, Daybook has the lowest first paid tier we found: $3.33/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked mobile-first: a phone app alongside the web or desktop product, a free tier and the depth of its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.