Diaro vs Penzu

Diaro

• People who want a simple diary organized by folders, tags and places
• Users who prefer synced entries to sit in their own Dropbox account
• Moving in from Day One, Journey or Evernote using the importers

Penzu

• People who mostly write at a computer in a web browser
• Writers who want unlimited entries on a free plan
• Keeping several journals, each with its own cover and lock

Diaro

• Sync between devices and Diaro Online runs through your own Dropbox account and is a Pro feature.
• The free version shows ads, and export to PDF, DOCX or TXT needs Pro.
• The App Store version history shows the iOS app was last updated in December 2023 (version 2.0.2).
• The vendor's site lists no prices. The App Store in-app list shows $8.99 for a year of Pro, while the listing's own description says US$5.99 a year.

Penzu

• There is no desktop app: on a computer Penzu runs in a web browser, with apps for iOS and Android only.
• Encryption locking, entry tagging, PDF export and writing prompts require Penzu Pro.
• Versions with entry recovery and the fullscreen zen-mode are limited to Pro+.
• The App Store listing shows English as the only supported language.

Diaro

Folders, tags and locations

Entries are filed in folders and labeled with tags and places, with automatic geotagging for new entries. There is no limit on entries per day or on attached photos.

Search and filters

Find entries by keyword and narrow them by date, tag, folder or location. A calendar view gives an overview of the days that have entries.

Mood tracker and statistics

Each entry can record a mood, and a statistics screen summarizes entries and moods. An atlas view maps entries, and an on-this-day view resurfaces past ones.

Lock and privacy

The diary can be locked with a PIN, security code or fingerprint. Entries in the mobile apps are stored on the device, and synced content sits in your own Dropbox account.

Dropbox sync and Diaro Online

Pro links a Dropbox account to sync entries between Android and iOS devices and Diaro Online, the browser version at diaroapp.com.

Import and export

Pro exports entries to PDF, DOCX or TXT for printing or sharing. Importers cover Day One, Journey, Evernote, Google Keep and Momento.

Penzu

Unlimited entries with autosave

Every plan, including the free one, allows unlimited entries, and Penzu saves as you type on a computer or in the mobile apps.

Custom journals

Each journal and entry can have its own cover, background and fonts. Basic includes a basic set; Pro adds custom covers, fonts and colors.

Locks and encryption

Journals and entries can be locked with a password, and the mobile app with a PIN. Encryption locking is a Pro feature, and Pro+ lists military grade encryption locking.

Reminders and look-backs

Daily, weekly or custom reminders prompt you to write, and Penzu emails links to past entries so you can reread them later.

Tags, search and prompts

Journals can be searched to find past entries. Entry tagging and writing prompts are part of Penzu Pro.

Penzu Post, PDF export and versions

Pro adds writing to a journal by email (Penzu Post) and PDF export. Pro+ adds versions and entry recovery plus a fullscreen zen-mode.

Diaro

• Free$0

  Unlimited diary entries with folders, tags, photos, mood tracking and a PIN lock, shown with ads and kept on one device.

• Diaro Pro 1 Year$8.99

  per year

  Dropbox sync across devices and Diaro Online, export to PDF, DOCX and TXT, no ads and priority support. The listing's description text quotes US$5.99 a year.

• Diaro PRO$39.99

  term not shown on the US App Store listing

  A second in-app purchase named Diaro PRO is listed at $39.99 with no term or description given.

Penzu

• Basic$0

  Unlimited entries, mobile apps, basic journal covers and fonts, and simple writing reminders.

• Penzu Pro$19.99

  per year, or $4.99 per month

  Adds encryption locking, custom covers, fonts and colors, entry tagging, PDF export, writing prompts and writing by email (Penzu Post).

• Penzu Pro+$49.99

  per year, or $9.99 per month

  Everything in Pro, plus premium handwritten fonts, fullscreen zen-mode, versions and entry recovery, and premium support.

• Penzu Pro+ Lifetime$199.99

  one-time payment

  Everything in Pro+ for a single payment with no renewal, plus 24-hour support.

Diaro

• Other savings

  Included in Google Play Pass on Android

  The Google Play listing says the Android app is part of Google Play Pass, which gives Play Pass subscribers the app free of ads and in-app purchases.

Penzu

• Annual discount

  Up to 66% off with yearly billing

  Penzu's Pro page labels yearly billing as 66% cheaper: Pro is $19.99 a year against $4.99 a month, and Pro+ is $49.99 a year against $9.99 a month.

• Lifetime license

  Penzu Pro+ Lifetime for $199.99

  A one-time payment of $199.99 buys the Pro+ feature set with no renewal, as listed on Penzu's Pro page.