The Clearful Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Clearful in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Clearful
The Insider’s Guide
Guided journal with 400+ prompts and templates on every device
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among journaling apps, read from Clearful’s own pages.
Made by Clearful Journal Inc. · checked Oct 6, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Clearful’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Clearful’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Oct 6, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.8
GPA, above 19 of the 35 other journaling apps we grade
Clearful is a journaling app for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Android and the web built around guided journals: a library of more than 400 prompts and templates, a daily question and a builder for your own templates. Entries are written in a rich-text editor and resurface later through a Rediscover view. It is free with unlimited entries on up to two devices and no ads; Clearful Pro adds photos, AI-written reviews, locked entries, themes and unlimited devices.
To get you started, here are 9 things to know about Clearful, taken from its own pages and our grades.
Pick a guided journal or answer the day's question and you're writing.
- 1
Best for guided prompts when you don't know what to write
Clearful is built around guided journals: more than 400 prompts and templates, plus a new question each day.
- 2
Paid plans start at $5 a month when paid by the year
As its pricing page puts it: $9.99 per month, or $59.99 per year (US App Store description).
- 3
There is a free plan
Free forever with unlimited text entries, prompts, streaks, reminders and export, on up to two connected devices. Photos, AI Reviews, themes and custom templates need Pro.
- 4
It runs on 4 platforms
Web, macOS, iOS and Android.
- 5
Guided journals library
More than 400 guided journals, prompts and templates cover topics from gratitude to work decisions, with a Discover Daily question each day. Some guided journals are reserved for Pro.
- 6
Flow Editor
A rich-text editor with 14+ formatting options, including headings, bulleted and numbered lists, checklists, quotes, dividers, links and text styles.
- 7
Rediscover
Past entries resurface from set points such as 1 month, 6 months, 1 year and 3 years ago, so you can look back at how things have changed.
- 8
A 2.8 GPA, above 19 of 35
That is against the other journaling apps we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 9
Your call
A journal at its plainest is dated entries of text and photos.
Clearful at a glance
- Pricing
- Free plan, from $9.99 per month, or $59.99 per year (US App Store description)
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- Seven-day Clearful Pro trial on eligible purchase flows, generally limited to one claim.
- Runs on
- Web, macOS, iOS, Android
- Made by
- Clearful Journal Inc., since 2020
- Category
- Journaling Apps
- Our grade
- 2.8 GPA, good
- Store rating
- 4.7 on the App Store, 3,126 ratings
The report card
Best for guided prompts when you don't know what to write
Clearful is built around guided journals: more than 400 prompts and templates, plus a new question each day. Free gives unlimited text entries on two devices with no ads, but photos, AI Reviews and locked entries need Pro at $59.99 a year. There's no bulk import, it's English only, and its in-app price list shows $14.99 and $89.99 entries the site doesn't explain.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | C | Pro is $59.99 a year, which is $5 a month, sitting between the middle and the dear end for journaling here, and $9.99 if you pay monthly. Clearful's own site lists no prices, and the in-app list muddies it further with $14.99 monthly and $89.99 yearly entries. |
| Free plan and trial | B | Free forever, with unlimited text entries, the prompts and templates, streaks, reminders and text or PDF export, and no ads. But it stops at two connected devices, and you can't put a single photo in an entry. Pro has a seven-day trial. |
| Features | C | More than 400 guided journals, a daily question, a formatting editor with 14+ options and Rediscover, which brings entries back from 1 month to 3 years ago. The gaps are in its own help pages: no bulk import from Day One or CSV, audio journaling still coming soon, English only, and photos need Pro. |
| Ease of use | A | 4.7 from about 3,100 App Store ratings. Pick a guided journal or answer the day's question and you're writing. One account keeps your phone, your Mac and your browser in step. |
| Platforms and integrations | B | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Android and a web app, all synced by one account. But no integrations or API are listed, and you can't bulk-import an old journal. The interface is English only. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who Clearful is for
- Fits if a blank page stops you and you'd rather answer a prompt
- Works for journaling on your phone, your Mac and in a browser with one account
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you want photos in your entries without paying, as they need Pro
- Not for you if you're bringing years of entries from Day One, as there's no bulk import
- Pricey if you pay monthly, at $9.99 against $59.99 for the year
- Tight if you stay free on more than two devices, as free connects only two
- Watch out: the site lists no prices, and the in-app list also shows $14.99 monthly and $89.99 yearly entries
Good to know
Good for
- People who want prompts and guided templates instead of a blank page
- Journaling across phone, tablet, Mac and browser with one account
- Free text journaling with unlimited entries and no ads
Worth knowing
- Photos in entries, AI Reviews, custom templates, themes and locked entries need Clearful Pro, and the free plan connects only two devices.
- There is no bulk import: the help center says no CSV, Day One or one-click migration tool exists.
- The interface is English only, and audio journaling with transcription is still marked as coming soon.
- The vendor's site lists no prices. The App Store description gives $9.99 a month or $59.99 a year, while its in-app list also shows $14.99 and $89.99.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
$5
A month to start, paid by the year. There is a free plan too
Clearful has a free plan. Paid plans start at $9.99 per month, or $59.99 per year (US App Store description).
Free forever, with unlimited text entries, the prompts and templates, streaks, reminders and text or PDF export, and no ads.
Free
$0
Unlimited entries, the rich-text editor, prompts and templates, Rediscover, streaks, reminders and text or PDF export, on up to two connected devices.
Clearful Pro (monthly)
$9.99
per month
Photos in entries, Pro guided journals, unlimited devices, AI Reviews, personal templates, locked entries, analytics and themes. The in-app list also shows a $14.99 monthly entry.
Clearful Pro (annual)
$59.99
per year
The same Pro benefits billed annually. The US App Store in-app purchase list also shows a yearly entry at $89.99.
The free plan
Free forever with unlimited text entries, prompts, streaks, reminders and export, on up to two connected devices. Photos, AI Reviews, themes and custom templates need Pro.
Trying it first
Seven-day Clearful Pro trial on eligible purchase flows, generally limited to one claim.
Read from apps.apple.com on Oct 6, 2026.
Ways to pay less
Annual discount
Annual billing costs about half of monthly
The US App Store description gives Clearful Pro as $9.99 billed monthly or $59.99 billed annually. Twelve monthly payments come to $119.88, so the annual plan saves about 50%.
Stated on apps.apple.com
What the app costs elsewhere
Each country’s App Store price for “Journal & Diary - Pro Yearly”, against $89.99 in the United States, in dollars at the day’s rate. The four cheapest and the four dearest of 11.
| Country | Price there | In dollars | Against the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turkey | ₺1.999,99 | $40.67 | 55% less |
| Canada | $72.99 | $51.31 | 43% less |
| United Kingdom | £50.99 | $67.41 | 25% less |
| Philippines | ₱ 4,990.00 | $79.43 | 12% less |
| Australia | $149.99 | $104.71 | 16% more |
| Mexico | $1,999.00 | $109.83 | 22% more |
| Germany | 99,99 € | $112.05 | 25% more |
| South Africa | R1,999.99 | $120.97 | 34% more |
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
4
Places it runs: Web, macOS, iOS and Android
Guided journal with 400+ prompts and templates on every device. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: works offline, AI features, daily notes, templates.
iPhone, iPad, Mac, Android and a web app, all synced by one account.
- Guided journals library
- More than 400 guided journals, prompts and templates cover topics from gratitude to work decisions, with a Discover Daily question each day. Some guided journals are reserved for Pro.
- Flow Editor
- A rich-text editor with 14+ formatting options, including headings, bulleted and numbered lists, checklists, quotes, dividers, links and text styles.
- Rediscover
- Past entries resurface from set points such as 1 month, 6 months, 1 year and 3 years ago, so you can look back at how things have changed.
- AI-Enhanced Reviews
- Weekly, monthly, quarterly, bi-yearly and yearly reviews use AI to summarize themes, moments and patterns from your own entries. AI Reviews are a Pro benefit.
- Privacy controls
- The vendor says entries are encrypted on the device, in transit and at rest. Face ID or Touch ID locks the app, a device manager revokes sign-ins, and Pro adds a lock for single entries.
- Sync across devices
- One account syncs the journal between iPhone, iPad, Mac, Android and the web app. The free plan supports up to two connected devices and Pro removes the limit.
Where it runs
- Web
- macOS
- iOS
- Android
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
Clearful is made by Clearful Journal Inc., and has been around since 2020.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
19/35
Other journaling apps it is graded above
Clearful's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 19 of the 35 other journaling apps we grade, and level with 9.
It stands best on ease of use (A, above 19 of 35) and worst on features (C, above 0).
Its paid plans start at $5 a month when paid by the year, against a middle price of $3.66 for the category: 16 of the 21 others that charge start lower.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 3.0 out of 4. 2 tools score higher and cost less.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 36 journaling apps we grade, cut by the letter each got. Clearful’s own letter is outlined.
- CValue for moneyAbove 4 of 35
- BFree plan and trialAbove 21 of 35
- CFeaturesAbove 0 of 35
- AEase of useAbove 19 of 35
- BPlatforms and integrationsAbove 22 of 35
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 29 journaling apps. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Clearful is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Your call
A journal at its plainest is dated entries of text and photos.
You could make the core of Clearful for yourself: daily notes and templates. What you would give up is listed below. Whether that is worth the price is your call. It costs $59.99 a year.
What you could make
- Daily notes and templates: an app builder makes these well.
What you could not
- Apps for macOS, iOS and Android that stay in step with each other.
- AI features, unless you pay a model provider for each request yourself.
What this rests on. Clearful’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Day One, Stoic, Reflection, Five Minute Journal and Journey
The 5 tools Clearful is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 3.2GPA
Day One
Free plan · from $49.99/yr
Encrypted journal for text, photos, audio and video across devices.
- 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.
- 2.6GPA
Stoic
Free plan · from $6.99
Guided journal with morning and evening reflections and mood tracking.
- Stoic also covers habit tracking and mood tracking.
- 2.8GPA
Reflection
Free plan · from $5.75/mo
AI-coached journal with guided programs and voice entries.
- Reflection also covers dictation and chat assistant.
- 2.6GPA
Five Minute Journal
Free plan · from $4.99/mo
Guided gratitude journal with short morning and evening prompts.
- Only Clearful lists a web app.
- Only Clearful lists a macOS app.
- Five Minute Journal can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- 2.8GPA
Journey
Free plan · from $17.99 one-time
Cross-platform diary with maps, mood tracking and guided programs.
- Only Journey lists Windows and Linux apps.
- Journey is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Journey also covers mood tracking.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
15
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Clearful free?
Clearful has a free plan. Free forever with unlimited text entries, prompts, streaks, reminders and export, on up to two connected devices.
How much does Clearful cost?
Clearful lists 3 plans. Free: $0.
What platforms does Clearful work on?
Clearful is available on Web, macOS, iOS and Android.
Does Clearful offer any discounts?
Clearful publicly lists the following: Annual billing costs about half of monthly.
How is Clearful rated?
Clearful's iPhone and iPad app averages 4.7 out of 5 from 3,126 ratings on the App Store in the United States, as read on Oct 6, 2026.
Does Clearful have a Windows app?
No Windows app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 6, 2026. Clearful is listed for Web, macOS, iOS and Android.
Does Clearful have a Linux app?
No Linux app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 6, 2026. Clearful is listed for Web, macOS, iOS and Android.
Is Clearful open source?
Clearful is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Oct 6, 2026.
Does Clearful work offline?
Yes, according to its own site. What works without a connection differs by plan and platform, so check the vendor's page for the detail.
Does Clearful have a free trial?
Yes. Seven-day Clearful Pro trial on eligible purchase flows, generally limited to one claim.
Who makes Clearful?
Clearful is made by Clearful Journal Inc. It dates from 2020.
What are the alternatives to Clearful?
The closest alternatives to Clearful in our directory are Day One, Stoic, Reflection, Five Minute Journal and Journey.
How does Clearful compare with other journaling apps?
Clearful's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 19 of the 35 other journaling apps we grade, and level with 9.
Is Clearful good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Clearful C for value for money. Its paid plans start at $5 a month when paid by the year, against a middle price of $3.66 for the category: 16 of the 21 others that charge start lower.
Could I make my own version of Clearful?
A journal at its plainest is dated entries of text and photos. You could make the core of Clearful for yourself: daily notes and templates.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Clearful’s own pages on Oct 6, 2026, and the grades were given on Oct 10, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Clearful's own pages on 6 October 2026, and its App Store rating. Also tested with a demo account on 2026-05-13.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Clearful Journal Inc. Prices change, so check clearful.com before you buy.
- apps.apple.com/us/app/clearful-journal-diary/id1513257639
- clearful.com
- clearful.com/about-us
- support.clearful.com/
- support.clearful.com/help/billing/upgrade-to-clearful-pro/
- support.clearful.com/help/billing/free-trial-faq/
- support.clearful.com/help/getting-started/use-clearful-on-web-and-desktop/
- support.clearful.com/help/entries/import-existing-journals/
- support.clearful.com/help/privacy/export-or-print-your-journal/
- support.clearful.com/help/entries/add-photos-and-images/
- support.clearful.com/help/getting-started/language-support/
- play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=journal.diary.gratitude.mindfulness.selfcare.mental.health&hl=en_US&gl=US
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
3,189
Tools graded, in 94 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
3,189
tools graded
94
categories
426
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Clearful, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/clearful
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Clearful: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 6, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/clearful
Know someone choosing between journaling apps?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/clearful/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded journaling apps after Clearful, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Journaling Apps Insider's GuideEvery one of the 36 journaling apps we grade, compared
- Apple Journal Insider's GuideApple's free journaling app for iPhone, iPad and Mac3.2 GPA
- Day One Insider's GuideEncrypted journal for text, photos, audio and video across devices3.2 GPA
- Diarium Insider's GuidePrivate journal with a one-time Pro purchase and your own cloud sync3.2 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Clearful’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Clearful is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Clearful Journal Inc. Prices and plans change: check clearful.com before you buy.