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Day One alternatives · Journaling

Alternatives to Day One with a one-time purchase

The Day One listing shows no one-time purchase. 6 of the 35 other journaling apps in this directory can be bought with a one-time purchase.

Day One has a free plan. Paid plans start at $49.99 per year. All of them are free or have a free plan.

6 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 6, 2026 · Where the facts come from

How each one differs from Day One

  1. 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.
    Diarium vs Day OneDiarium pricing and details

  2. 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.
    Penzu vs Day OnePenzu pricing and details

  3. 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 vs Day One1 Second Everyday pricing and details

  4. 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). 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.
    Everlog pricing and details

  5. Five Minute Journal

    Guided gratitude journal with short morning and evening prompts

    • Five Minute Journal starts at $4.99 to $9.99 per month (US App Store in-app purchase list). 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.
    Five Minute Journal pricing and details

  6. My Diary

    Locked diary with themes, stickers and a mood calendar

    • My Diary starts at $2.99 per month (US App Store in-app purchase). 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.
    My Diary pricing and details

Common questions

Is there an alternative to Day One that you buy once?

Yes. Diarium, Penzu, 1 Second Everyday, Everlog, Five Minute Journal and My Diary can be bought with a one-time purchase.

Can you buy Day One once instead of subscribing?

The Day One listing shows no one-time purchase. The listing was checked on Oct 5, 2026 against the pages it cites.

When was this checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 5, 2026 to Oct 6, 2026. Vendors change prices and plans without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

This page is built from the listings. A tool is here because its listing says so, and the order is how close each is to Day One: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.