Penzu

What Penzu is

Penzu is an online diary and personal journal for private writing. Its Basic plan includes unlimited entries, and entries save automatically as you type on a computer or on the go. Writers can set daily, weekly, or custom reminders. Penzu suits reflective journaling, food diaries, pregnancy journals, dream journals, and free-form writing. It works in web browsers and offers apps for iOS and Android. Penzu lists offline access, media attachments, search and filters, and privacy lock among its capabilities. The company says account entries are password protected and journals can be secured with encryption. Encryption Lock is available on paid plans; a journal cannot be recovered if its lock password is lost. Pro and Pro+ members can create journal entries by email, using a distinct Penzu Post address for each journal. Those plans also include PDF export on the full Penzu website. All plans include customer support, while Pro+ Lifetime includes 24-hour support. Penzu was founded in 2008 and its maker is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Who it suits

Penzu suits people who want a private space for reflective writing, food, pregnancy, or dream journals, or free-form entries. Its browser and mobile app access may fit writers who switch between a computer and a phone, while its reminders support regular writing.

Limits

Basic provides unlimited entries, mobile apps, basic journal covers and fonts, and simple writing reminders. Encryption Lock is paid, and PDF export and email entry are available to Pro and Pro+ members; PDF export requires the full website.

Getting started

1. Visit the Penzu website or use its iOS or Android app.
2. Choose the Basic plan or a paid plan.
3. Create journal entries; entries save as you type.
4. Set daily, weekly, or custom writing reminders.
5. Use Pro or Pro+ to create entries by email or export PDFs from the full website.

Verdict

Choose Penzu for a personal journal with unlimited Basic entries, automatic saving, and writing reminders across web and mobile. Look elsewhere if you need PDF export on the Basic plan or a way to recover a journal after losing its Encryption Lock password.