Best Journaling Software in 2026
Updated
In short: Islet is ranked #1 of 37 as of 3 October 2026, ahead of Journey and MoodHaven Journal. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Journey. The lowest first paid tier on this page is Journey at $0.35/mo.
Journaling software can help you capture written reflections, prompts, and media, then return to past entries when you need them. Compared on available platforms, media support, prompt features, and search scope, these options offer criteria for matching an app to your writing habits. End-to-end encryption and export formats add privacy and portability considerations. Islet, Journey, and MoodHaven Journal are among the entries, alongside Stoic and Day One. Check which platforms you use, how you want to find older writing, and whether free plans or the listed paid-from price best fit your routine and budget.
37 journaling software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
24 of the 25 here have a free tier you can use, 1 has open-source code on record, and 0 have full bars: free, open, on most of your devices and documented.
| # | App | Signal | Free tier | Open code | Devices | From | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | IsletAndroid · iPhone | Three bars | 2 of 6 | Free | 7.9 | ||
| 2 | JourneyWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Android · iPhone | Three bars | — | 6 of 6 | $0.35/mo | 6.8 | |
| 3 | MoodHaven JournalWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Android · iPhone | Three bars | — | 6 of 6 | Free | 6.8 | |
| 4 | RosebudWeb · Windows · Mac · Android · iPhone | Three bars | — | 5 of 6 | $9/mo | 6.7 | |
| 5 | StoicWeb · Mac · Android · iPhone | Three bars | — | 4 of 6 | Free | 6.7 | |
| 6 | Day OneWindows · Mac · Android · iPhone · Extension | Three bars | — | 4 of 6 | $4.17/mo | 6.6 | |
| 7 | DiariumWindows · Mac · Android · iPhone | Three bars | — | 4 of 6 | Free | 6.6 | |
| 8 | MindseraWeb · Android · iPhone | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.6 | |
| 9 | PenzuWeb · Android · iPhone | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.6 | |
| 10 | StoryPadMac · Android · iPhone | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | $9.99/mo | 6.6 | |
| 11 | tinythoughtsWeb · Android · iPhone | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | $3/mo | 6.6 | |
| 12 | DaybookWeb · Android · iPhone | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | $3.33/mo | 6.5 | |
| 13 | Local JournalAndroid · iPhone | Two bars | — | 2 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 14 | SkriveMac · Android · iPhone | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 15 | Apple JournalMac · iPhone | Two bars | — | 2 of 6 | Free | 6.4 | |
| 16 | DiaroWeb · Android · iPhone | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.4 | |
| 17 | Penso NotesAndroid · iPhone | Two bars | — | 2 of 6 | Free | 6.4 | |
| 18 | AhhLifeWeb | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | $4.17/mo | 6.3 | |
| 19 | JournivWeb | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | Free | 6.3 | |
| 20 | MirrorAndroid · iPhone | Two bars | — | 2 of 6 | Free | 6.3 | |
| 21 | ReflectlyAndroid · iPhone | Two bars | — | 2 of 6 | Free | 6.3 | |
| 22 | TwifMac · iPhone | Two bars | — | 2 of 6 | Free | 6.3 | |
| 23 | AnchorWeb | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | Free | 6.2 | |
| 24 | MomentoiPhone | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | Free | 6.2 | |
| 25 | Five Minute JournalAndroid · iPhone | One bar | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.5 |
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 journaling software is ranked first on Freedom251?
Islet is ranked #1 of 37 with a score of 7.9. Journey is second and MoodHaven Journal third.
How many of these have a free plan?
24 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, Journey has the lowest first paid tier we found: $0.35/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked free-and-open first: a usable free tier and open-source code, then the platforms it runs on and its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.