Alternatives · Journaling
Apple Journal alternatives
Apple Journal compared with 7 alternatives: Day One, Diarly, Journey, Diarium, 1 Second Everyday and 2 more.
Apple Journal is free to use. All 7 alternatives are free or have a free plan.
7 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 6, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple JournalThis tool | Free | Free | macOS, iOS |
| Day One | Free plan · from $49.99/yr | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| Diarly | Free plan · from $2.99/mo | Yes | macOS, iOS |
| Journey | Free plan · from $17.99 one-time | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Diarium | Free plan · from $14.99 one-time | Yes | macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| 1 Second Everyday | Free plan · from $49.99/yr | Yes | iOS, Android |
| Everlog | Free plan · from $1.99/mo | Yes | macOS, iOS |
| Zinnia | Free plan · from $39.99/yr | Yes | macOS, iOS |
How each one differs from Apple Journal
- Free plan · from $49.99/yr
Day One
Encrypted journal for text, photos, audio and video across devices
- Day One starts at $49.99 per year. Apple Journal is free.
- Only Day One lists a web app.
- Only Day One lists Windows and Android apps.
- Only Day One lists a browser extension.
- Day One also covers Markdown and templates.
Suits: People who want one journal across Apple, Android, Windows and the web
- Free plan · from $2.99/mo
Diarly
Private Markdown journal for Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch
- Diarly starts at $2.99 per month, or $24.99 per year (US App Store in-app purchases). Apple Journal is free.
- Diarly also covers Markdown and templates.
- Apple Journal also covers transcription.
Suits: Apple users who want a journal stored on their devices and their own iCloud
- Free plan · from $17.99 one-time
Journey
Cross-platform diary with maps, mood tracking and guided programs
- Journey starts at $17.99 one-time per platform, or $49.99 per year for Membership. Apple Journal is free.
- Only Journey lists a web app.
- Only Journey lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
- Journey also covers templates.
- Apple Journal also covers transcription.
Suits: People who want one journal on phone, desktop (including Linux) and web
- Free plan · from $14.99 one-time
Diarium
Private journal with a one-time Pro purchase and your own cloud sync
- Diarium starts at $14.99 one-time purchase per platform. Apple Journal is free.
- Only Diarium lists Windows and Android apps.
- Diarium can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Apple Journal is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Diarium also covers templates.
Suits: People who want to pay once instead of subscribing
- Free plan · from $49.99/yr
1 Second Everyday
Video diary that stitches one second a day into a movie
- 1 Second Everyday starts at $49.99 per year. Apple Journal is free.
- Only 1 Second Everyday lists an Android app.
- Only Apple Journal lists a macOS app.
- 1 Second Everyday can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Apple Journal is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
Suits: People who want a visual diary they can keep up in a few seconds a day
- Free plan · from $1.99/mo
Everlog
Markdown journal for iPhone, iPad and Mac with threaded comments
- Everlog starts at $1.99 per month (Premium Monthly on the US App Store). Apple Journal is free.
- Everlog can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Apple Journal is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Everlog also covers Markdown and templates.
- Apple Journal also covers transcription and mood tracking.
Suits: Apple users who want a plain Markdown journal on iPhone, iPad and Mac
- Free plan · from $39.99/yr
Zinnia
Handwritten digital journal and planner for iPad, iPhone and Mac
- Zinnia starts at $39.99 per year, $9.99 per month or $3.99 per week (US App Store). Apple Journal is free.
- Apple Journal is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Zinnia also covers templates and calendar.
- Apple Journal also covers transcription and mood tracking.
Suits: Bullet journal fans who want paper-style pages on an iPad
Limits worth knowing in Apple Journal
- Listed only for iPhone, iPad and Mac; no Android, Windows or web version is offered.
- Apple says audio transcription is available in English only, excluding the Singapore and India locales.
- End-to-end encryption of entries stored in iCloud requires two-factor authentication and a device passcode.
- On Mac, journal entries are not included in iCloud backups; Apple points to Time Machine for a backup copy.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Apple Journal?
The alternatives to Apple Journal in this directory are Day One, Diarly, Journey, Diarium, 1 Second Everyday, Everlog and Zinnia. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Apple Journal.
Is there a free alternative to Apple Journal?
Yes. Day One, Diarly, Journey, Diarium, 1 Second Everyday, Everlog and Zinnia have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which Apple Journal alternatives work on Windows?
The Apple Journal listing does not include a Windows app. Day One, Journey and Diarium list one.
Which Apple Journal alternatives work on Linux?
The Apple Journal listing does not include a Linux app. Journey lists one.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 5, 2026 to Oct 6, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.