Alternatives · Journaling
Day One alternatives
Day One compared with 12 alternatives: Journey, Diarium, Apple Journal, Penzu, Diarly and 7 more.
Day One has a free plan. Paid plans start at $49.99 per year. 11 of the 12 alternatives are free or have a free plan.
12 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 6, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day OneThis tool | Free plan · from $49.99/yr | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| 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 |
| Apple Journal | Free | Free | macOS, iOS |
| Penzu | Free plan · from $19.99/yr | Yes | Web, iOS, Android |
| Diarly | Free plan · from $2.99/mo | Yes | macOS, iOS |
| 1 Second Everyday | Free plan · from $49.99/yr | Yes | iOS, Android |
| 750 Words | Paid | No | Web |
| Clearful | Free plan · from $9.99/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, iOS, Android |
| Dabble Me | Free plan · from $4/mo | Yes | Web |
| DailyTxT | Free | Free | Web |
| Daybook | Free plan · from $3.49/mo | Yes | Web, iOS, Android |
| Diaro | Free plan · from $8.99/yr | Yes | Web, iOS, Android |
How each one differs from Day One
- 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. Day One starts at $49.99 per year.
- Only Journey lists a Linux app.
- Only Day One lists a browser extension.
- Journey also covers mood tracking.
- Day One also covers transcription and Markdown.
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. Day One starts at $49.99 per year.
- Only Day One lists a web app.
- Only Day One lists a browser extension.
- Diarium can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Day One is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
Suits: People who want to pay once instead of subscribing
- Free
Apple Journal
Apple's free journaling app for iPhone, iPad and Mac
- Apple Journal is free. Day One starts at $49.99 per year.
- Only Day One lists a web app.
- Only Day One lists Windows and Android apps.
- Only Day One lists a browser extension.
- Apple Journal also covers mood tracking.
Suits: iPhone, iPad and Mac owners who want a journal at no cost
- 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. Day One starts at $49.99 per year.
- Only Day One lists macOS and Windows apps.
- Only Day One lists a browser extension.
- Penzu can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Day One is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
Suits: People who mostly write at a computer in a web browser
- 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). Day One starts at $49.99 per year.
- Only Day One lists a web app.
- Only Day One lists Windows and Android apps.
- Only Day One lists a browser extension.
- Diarly also covers mood tracking.
Suits: Apple users who want a journal stored on their devices and their own iCloud
- 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. Day One starts at $49.99 per year.
- Only Day One lists a web app.
- Only Day One lists macOS and Windows apps.
- Only Day One lists a browser extension.
- 1 Second Everyday can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Suits: People who want a visual diary they can keep up in a few seconds a day
- Paid
750 Words
Private daily writing site built around a 750-word goal
- Day One has a free plan. 750 Words does not.
- 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.
- 750 Words also covers long-form writing.
Suits: People building a habit of free writing every day
- Free plan · from $9.99/mo
Clearful
Guided journal with 400+ prompts and templates on every device
- Clearful starts at $9.99 per month, or $59.99 per year (US App Store description). Day One starts at $49.99 per year.
- Only Day One lists a Windows app.
- Only Day One lists a browser extension.
- Day One is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Day One also covers transcription and Markdown.
Suits: People who want prompts and guided templates instead of a blank page
- Free plan · from $4/mo
Dabble Me
Private journal you keep by replying to email prompts
- Dabble Me starts at $4 per month, or $40 per year. Day One starts at $49.99 per year.
- Only Day One lists macOS, Windows, iOS and Android apps.
- Only Day One lists a browser extension.
- Dabble Me is open source, according to its own site.
- Day One is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
Suits: People who would sooner reply to an email than open a journaling app
- Free
DailyTxT
Self-hosted encrypted diary web app that runs in Docker
- DailyTxT is free. Day One starts at $49.99 per year.
- Only Day One lists macOS, Windows, iOS and Android apps.
- Only Day One lists a browser extension.
- DailyTxT is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
- Day One is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
Suits: Self-hosters who want a private diary on their own server
- Free plan · from $3.49/mo
Daybook
Cloud-synced diary with guided journals and voice entry
- Daybook starts at $3.49 per month, or $39.99 per year. Day One starts at $49.99 per year.
- Only Day One lists macOS and Windows apps.
- Only Day One lists a browser extension.
- Day One is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Daybook also covers dictation and mood tracking.
Suits: People who want a free journal that syncs between phone and browser
- Free plan · from $8.99/yr
Diaro
Diary and notes app that syncs through your own Dropbox
- Diaro starts at $8.99 per year (US App Store in-app purchase). Day One starts at $49.99 per year.
- Only Day One lists macOS and Windows apps.
- Only Day One lists a browser extension.
- Day One is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Diaro also covers mood tracking.
Suits: People who want a simple diary organized by folders, tags and places
Limits worth knowing in Day One
- The free Basic plan is limited to 1 device and 1 photo per entry; video, audio, drawings and collections need Silver.
- Paid plans are sold as annual subscriptions only; Day One's help guides say monthly plans are not offered.
- AI features are limited to Gold at $74.99 per year and have daily usage limits.
- Silver and Gold subscriptions cannot be shared through Apple Family Sharing.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Day One?
The alternatives to Day One in this directory are Journey, Diarium, Apple Journal, Penzu, Diarly, 1 Second Everyday, 750 Words, Clearful, Dabble Me, DailyTxT, Daybook and Diaro. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Day One.
Is there a free alternative to Day One?
Yes. Apple Journal and DailyTxT are free to use. Journey, Diarium, Penzu, Diarly, 1 Second Everyday, Clearful, Dabble Me, Daybook and Diaro have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which Day One alternatives work on Linux?
The Day One listing does not include a Linux app. Journey lists one.
Is there an open-source alternative to Day One?
Dabble Me and DailyTxT are described as open source on their own sites.
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.