Alternatives · Journaling
Dabble Me alternatives
Dabble Me compared with 4 alternatives: Penzu, 750 Words, Journalistic and Day One.
Dabble Me has a free plan. Paid plans start at $4 per month, or $40 per year. 3 of the 4 alternatives are free or have a free plan.
4 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 6, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dabble MeThis tool | Free plan · from $4/mo | Yes | Web |
| Penzu | Free plan · from $19.99/yr | Yes | Web, iOS, Android |
| 750 Words | Paid | No | Web |
| Journalistic | Free | Free | Web |
| Day One | Free plan · from $49.99/yr | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
How each one differs from Dabble Me
- Free plan · from $19.99/yr
Penzu
Private online journal for the browser, with iOS and Android apps
- Penzu starts at $19.99 per year, or $4.99 per month. Dabble Me starts at $4 per month, or $40 per year.
- Only Penzu lists iOS and Android apps.
- Penzu can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Dabble Me is open source, according to its own site.
- Penzu also covers long-form writing.
Suits: People who mostly write at a computer in a web browser
- Paid
750 Words
Private daily writing site built around a 750-word goal
- Dabble Me has a free plan. 750 Words does not.
- Dabble Me is open source, according to its own site.
- 750 Words also covers long-form writing.
Suits: People building a habit of free writing every day
- Free
Journalistic
Micro journaling web app built around short bulleted entries
- Journalistic is free. Dabble Me starts at $4 per month, or $40 per year.
- Dabble Me is open source, according to its own site.
- Journalistic also covers notes and goals.
Suits: People who want a few bullet points a day instead of long entries
- 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. Dabble Me starts at $4 per month, or $40 per year.
- Only Day One lists macOS, Windows, iOS and Android apps.
- Only Day One lists a browser extension.
- Day One is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Dabble Me is open source, according to its own site.
Suits: People who want one journal across Apple, Android, Windows and the web
Limits worth knowing in Dabble Me
- There is no mobile or desktop app: you write by replying to an email or in a web browser.
- Free accounts get a prompt only every other Sunday; daily prompts, photos, search, the calendar view and the web editor need PRO.
- Entries are not end-to-end encrypted: the privacy policy notes that email content passes through email providers in transit.
- Entries an AI assistant reads through the connector are sent to that assistant's provider for processing.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Dabble Me?
The alternatives to Dabble Me in this directory are Penzu, 750 Words, Journalistic and Day One. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Dabble Me.
Is there a free alternative to Dabble Me?
Yes. Journalistic is free to use. Penzu and Day One have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which Dabble Me alternatives work on Windows?
The Dabble Me listing does not include a Windows app. Day One lists one.
Which Dabble Me alternatives work on macOS?
The Dabble Me listing does not include a macOS app. Day One 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.