Alternatives · Journaling
RedNotebook alternatives
RedNotebook compared with 5 alternatives: Diarium, DailyTxT, Daily You, Journey and Day One.
RedNotebook is free to use. All 5 alternatives are free or have a free plan.
5 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 6, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| RedNotebookThis tool | Free | Free | Windows, Linux |
| Diarium | Free plan · from $14.99 one-time | Yes | macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| DailyTxT | Free | Free | Web |
| Daily You | Free | Free | Android |
| Journey | Free plan · from $17.99 one-time | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Day One | Free plan · from $49.99/yr | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
How each one differs from RedNotebook
- 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. RedNotebook is free.
- Only Diarium lists macOS, iOS and Android apps.
- Only RedNotebook lists a Linux app.
- Diarium can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- RedNotebook is open source, according to its own site.
Suits: People who want to pay once instead of subscribing
- Free
DailyTxT
Self-hosted encrypted diary web app that runs in Docker
- DailyTxT is free. RedNotebook is free.
- Only DailyTxT lists a web app.
- Only RedNotebook lists Linux and Windows apps.
- DailyTxT is self-hostable, according to its own site.
- DailyTxT also covers Markdown.
Suits: Self-hosters who want a private diary on their own server
- Free
Daily You
Free, open-source offline diary and mood tracker for Android
- Daily You is free. RedNotebook is free.
- Only Daily You lists an Android app.
- Only RedNotebook lists Linux and Windows apps.
- Daily You also covers Markdown and mood tracking.
- RedNotebook also covers templates.
Suits: Android users who want a diary with no account, ads or subscription
- 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. RedNotebook is free.
- Only Journey lists a web app.
- Only Journey lists macOS, iOS and Android apps.
- Journey is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- RedNotebook is open source, according to its own site.
Suits: People who want one journal on phone, desktop (including Linux) and web
- 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. RedNotebook is free.
- Only Day One lists a web app.
- Only Day One lists macOS, iOS and Android apps.
- Only Day One lists a browser extension.
- Only RedNotebook lists a Linux app.
Suits: People who want one journal across Apple, Android, Windows and the web
Limits worth knowing in RedNotebook
- There are no mobile apps or web version, and macOS has no official support, only Homebrew or source builds to try on your own.
- There is no built-in encryption or lock; the help suggests an encrypted folder or an encrypted home partition.
- Sync is not built in: using it on several computers means keeping the journal folder in Dropbox, Syncthing or on a server.
- Word clouds are missing from version 2.x on Windows, and there is no direct PDF export.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to RedNotebook?
The alternatives to RedNotebook in this directory are Diarium, DailyTxT, Daily You, Journey and Day One. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with RedNotebook.
Is there a free alternative to RedNotebook?
Yes. DailyTxT and Daily You are free to use. Diarium, Journey and Day One have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which RedNotebook alternatives work on macOS?
The RedNotebook listing does not include a macOS app. Diarium, Journey and Day One list one.
Which RedNotebook alternatives work on Android?
The RedNotebook listing does not include an Android app. Diarium, Daily You, Journey and Day One list 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.