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Best Journal Apps in 2026

A journaling app can shape how easily you capture thoughts and return to them later. Compare offline access, search and filters, and media attachments for your writing habits, then weigh end-to-end encryption and a privacy lock for protecting entries. Export formats and platform coverage matter if you want flexibility in where you write or how you keep your work. Free-plan availability and paid-from pricing add practical considerations. Journey, Rosebud and Stoic are among the apps to explore, alongside Day One and Daybook. The listed features can help you decide which balance of access, privacy and portability fits your routine.

35 apps
Research read 23 Sept 2026
How the order is worked out

1

Avidemux

Free plan Open source LinuxMacWeb+1

9.3 Free plan Visit site
2

RedNotebook

Free plan Open source LinuxMacWindows

RedNotebook offers journal writing, search, backups, and several export formats at no cost. Keep separate backups of linked attachments, and check platform support before installing.

8.5 Free plan Visit site
3

Clearful

Free plan AndroidiPhoneMac+1

Clearful offers guided writing, customizable templates, and tools for revisiting entries, with apps across several platforms.

7.6 Free plan · paid from $9.99/mo · 7-day trial Visit site
4

Day One
by Day One
Free plan AndroidExtensioniPhone+2

Day One combines multimedia journaling, organizational tools and privacy protections across a wide range of platforms.

7.5 Free plan · paid from $49.99/yr · 30-day trial Visit site
5

Apple Journal
by Apple Journal
Free plan iPhoneMac

Journal combines varied entry formats, organization tools and on-device suggestions in a free app.

7.4 Free plan Visit site
6

Dairoo

Free plan AndroidiPhoneWeb

Choose Dairoo if you want a personal calendar and diary that can hold varied attachments and organize days with colors and labels.

7.4 Free plan Visit site
7

Daybook
by Daybook
Free plan AndroidiPhoneWeb

Daybook combines journaling, organization, mood tools, and PDF export, with core entry and sync features on its free plan.

7.4 Free plan · paid from $3.49/mo Visit site
8

Diarium
by Diarium
Free plan AndroidiPhoneMac+1

Diarium offers flexible journal entries, browsing tools, and local storage by default across four platforms. Check the platform-specific Pro requirement if syncing or other Pro features matter to you.

7.4 Free plan · 7-day trial Visit site
9

Diarly

Free plan AndroidiPhoneMac

Choose Diarly if you want a journal with offline editing, multiple entry formats, and several browsing views. Its free plan includes unlimited entries and media in one journal.

7.3 Free plan · 7-day trial Visit site
10

Family Journal

Free plan AndroidiPhoneMac+1

Family Journal combines private family entries, an organized archive, and selective sharing across several platforms.

7.3 Free plan Visit site
11

Daylio
by Daylio
Free plan AndroidiPhone

Daylio combines guided journaling with multimedia entries, search, and several export formats.

7.2 Free plan · 7-day trial Visit site
12

Diaro

Free plan AndroidiPhoneWeb

Choose Diaro if you want a diary with flexible search, organization, and web exports, or want to keep notes and track moods.

7.2 Free plan Visit site
13

Journey

Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3

Journey offers multimedia journaling, privacy controls and ways to share selected entries or collaborate.

7.2 Free plan · paid from $4.17/mo (annual) Visit site
14

Dabble Me

Free plan Web

Choose Dabble Me if email prompts and private-by-default journaling fit how you want to keep a journal. PRO adds entry organization, photos, search, and AI connections for $4 per month.

7.1 Free plan · paid from $4/mo Visit site
15

Goodnight Journal

Free plan AndroidiPhoneWeb

Choose Goodnight Journal if you want to keep unlimited private journals for free while retaining control over each entry’s visibility.

7.1 Free plan · paid from $5.99/mo Visit site
16

Grid Diary
by Grid Diary
Free plan AndroidiPhoneMac

Grid Diary offers structured journaling with prompts, planning periods, media attachments and flexible exports.

7.1 Free plan Visit site
17

Lugelo

Free plan AndroidExtensioniPhone+2

Lugelo combines multimedia journaling, shared contributions, AI writing support, and exports in a free plan.

7.1 Free plan Visit site
18

DearDiario

Free plan Web

DearDiario offers structured web journaling with memory and mood features, plus clear export controls. Choose a Premium plan when the Free Explorer limits or search requirements matter.

7.0 Visit site
19

Everlog

Free plan iPhoneMac

Everlog combines journaling, organization, attachments, and device protection across iOS and macOS.

7.0 Free plan · 14-day trial Visit site
20

jrnl

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

Choose jrnl if you want a free, open-source command-line journal with offline access, multiple journals, and plain-text files.

7.0 Free plan Visit site
21

Journal - From Me

Free plan iPhoneMac

Pick Journal - From Me if you want an Apple-platform journal with guided prompts, flexible writing modes and local storage.

6.9 Free plan Visit site
22

Penzu
by Penzu
Free plan AndroidiPhoneWeb

Choose Penzu for a personal journal with unlimited Basic entries, automatic saving, and writing reminders across web and mobile.

6.9 Free plan Visit site
23

Rosebud
by Rosebud
Free plan AndroidiPhoneMac+2

Rosebud combines entry analysis, guided reflection, voice journaling, and mobile journaling tools. Its AI usage limit can pause Dig Deeper, and Rosebud explicitly does not replace professional care.

6.9 Free plan · paid from $12.99/mo · 7-day trial Visit site
24

Stoic
by Stoic
Free plan AndroidiPhoneMac+1

Stoic pairs guided journaling and mood tracking with meditation and breathing exercises, with a free plan and optional AI features.

6.9 Free plan · 7-day trial Visit site
25

Local Journal
by Local Journal
Free plan AndroidiPhone

Choose Local Journal if you want an offline diary that keeps entries on your device and does not require an account.

6.8 Free plan Visit site

#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price

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