Plume
The best journaling apps, honestly compared
There are dozens of journaling apps. We tested and researched the ten most popular ones and put them side by side — features, pricing, privacy, and what each does best. No spin, just clarity.
10 journaling apps at a glance
From micro-mood trackers to full writing studios. Each app takes a different angle on the same question: how do you build a daily writing habit?
Plume
$14.99/yr · $29 lifetime
Combines structured daily journaling (gratitude, memories, accomplishments) with a dedicated Zen Mode writing environment. Local-first, bring-your-own AI, with integrated task management.
Day One
Free tier · $49.99/yr
The most established journaling app. Rich media support (photos, audio, video), end-to-end encryption on by default, AI summaries, book printing, and On This Day flashbacks.
Journey
$29.99/yr · $199.99 lifetime
The widest cross-platform support of any dedicated journal. Available on iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Chrome OS, and the web. Optional E2E encryption and an AI coach feature.
Apple Journal
Free
Apple's built-in journal. Uses on-device intelligence to suggest entries from your photos, workouts, and music. Completely free, fully private, but limited customization and no markdown.
Five Minute Journal
Free tier · ~$34.99/yr
Digital version of the bestselling physical journal. Morning and evening prompts built around gratitude and positive psychology. Streak tracking and daily quotes.
Daylio
Free tier · ~$35.99/yr
Micro-journaling through mood check-ins and activity tagging. No typing required for basic use. "Year in Pixels" visualization shows mood patterns at a glance.
Stoic
Free tier · ~$39.96/yr
Therapy-informed journaling with CBT thought dumps, dream journals, and on-device AI prompts. Includes meditation and breathing exercises. Y Combinator backed.
Reflectly
Free tier · ~$59.99/yr (iOS)
AI-driven journaling rooted in positive psychology and CBT. Personalized prompts adapt to your past entries. Mood tracking with trend visualization.
Bear
Free tier · $29.99/yr
Best-in-class markdown editor with tag-based organization and 28 themes. Not a dedicated journal, but widely used as one by writers who value clean, distraction-free writing.
Notion
Free tier · $96/yr (Plus)
Not a journal — a workspace. But many people build custom journaling systems with databases, templates, and views. Infinitely customizable, but requires setup and lives in the cloud.
Momento
Free tier · ~$16.49/yr
Automatically aggregates your social media posts into a timeline journal. Pulls from Instagram, X, Facebook, and more. Good for passive journaling with minimal effort.
What they actually cost
Annual pricing compared. Some apps offer lifetime purchases; subscriptions shown as yearly cost.
Prices reflect iOS App Store annual pricing where available. Notion's free tier is sufficient for personal journaling.
Feature matrix
Hover over dots for details. Scroll sideways on mobile.
| Feature | Plume | Day One | Journey | Apple J. | 5 Min J. | Daylio | Stoic | Reflectly | Bear | Notion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structured prompts | ||||||||||
| Zen / Focus mode | ||||||||||
| Markdown support | ||||||||||
| AI features | ||||||||||
| Task management | ||||||||||
| Mood tracking | ||||||||||
| Photo/media attachments | ||||||||||
| Biometric lock | ||||||||||
| Lifetime purchase |
Privacy at a glance
Where your journal entries actually live and who can potentially access them.
Plume
Local-firstOn-device database. No account required. Optional iCloud sync stays within Apple's infrastructure. No analytics collected.
Apple Journal
Fully on-deviceAll processing on-device. Suggestions generated locally. Nothing leaves the device unless backed up via iCloud.
Day One
E2E encryptedLocal storage + cloud sync via Day One servers. E2E encryption (AES-GCM-256) enabled by default. Account required. Collects device and usage analytics.
Bear
Local + iCloudLocal storage with iCloud sync. Per-note encryption available. Developer cannot see your notes.
Daylio
Local-firstData stored locally by default. Manual/automatic backups. No cloud sync, no E2E encryption for backups. PIN protection on iOS.
Journey
Cloud + optional E2ECloud sync with optional E2E encryption. Biometric lock supported. Data lives on Journey servers when syncing.
Stoic
On-device AIAI runs entirely on-device. Reflections never leave your device. "Zero data sold" policy.
Notion
Cloud, no E2EAll data on Notion servers. No E2E encryption. Employees can technically access content. SOC 2 certified but not ideal for private journaling.
Which app is best for you?
There's no single "best" journal app — it depends on what you need. Here's our honest take.
Best for distraction-free writing
You want a true "zen" experience with ambient themes, live markdown, and no UI clutter.
Plume
Best for photo-rich journaling
You attach photos, audio, and video to entries and want rich media alongside your writing.
Day One
Best for cross-platform
You switch between Mac, Windows, Android, and web, and need your journal everywhere.
Journey
Best for daily gratitude practice
You want structured morning/evening prompts rooted in positive psychology.
Plume or Five Minute Journal
Best free option
You don't want to pay anything and you're in the Apple ecosystem.
Apple Journal
Best for mood tracking
You prefer quick emoji-based check-ins over long-form writing and want to spot mood patterns.
Daylio
Best for mental health support
You want CBT-informed prompts, therapy prep, and meditation integrated into journaling.
Stoic
Best markdown writing experience
You're a writer first and want a premium markdown editor with tags and themes.
Bear
Best for customization
You want to build your own journaling system with databases, relations, and views.
Notion
So, why Plume?
No single app does everything. But Plume is the only one that combines all of these in one place:
Find the journal that fits your mind
The best journaling app is the one you actually use. We hope this guide helps you choose — whether it's Plume or something else entirely.