Side by side
Daybook vs jrnl
Both stand on journaling software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan AndroidiPhoneWeb
Daybook combines journaling, organization, mood tools, and PDF export, with core entry and sync features on its free plan. Consider its cloud storage and privacy details if those matter to your journal.
Visit Daybook Free plan LinuxMacWindows
Choose jrnl if you want a free, open-source command-line journal with offline access, multiple journals, and plain-text files. Its encryption can protect journals, but someone who loses the password cannot recover the data.
Visit jrnlThe facts
| Daybook | jrnl | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Android, iPhone, Web | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Pro: $39.99 a year | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 3 | 1 |
| Maker | Daybook | Not published |
| Website | daybook.app | jrnl.sh |
| On journaling software | #4 of 37 | #15 of 37 |
Daybook: what it does well
- Voice-to-text supports hands-free journaling.
- Tags, categories, and calendar view organize entries.
- PDF export offers customizable layouts.
- Free plan includes unlimited entries and multi-device sync.
What to know first
- Journal data is stored in Daybook's cloud database.
- Privacy policy describes sharing information with service providers.
- End-to-end encryption is not provided.
jrnl: what it does well
- Works offline on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
- Natural-language timestamps can be used for entries.
- Inline tags support searching and filtering.
- Supports multiple journals and plain-text storage.
- Imports entries and exports to several formats.
What to know first
- Requires command-line use.
- Lost encryption passwords cannot be recovered or reset.
- Installation guide recommends pipx with Python 3.11 or later.