Penzu
Private online journal for the browser, with iOS and Android apps
What is Penzu?
Penzu is an online journal that runs in a web browser, with companion apps for iOS and Android. The free Basic plan allows unlimited entries, saves as you type and lets each journal carry its own cover and fonts. Journals and entries can be locked, and reminders and emails about past entries prompt you to keep writing. Paid Pro and Pro+ plans add encryption locking, tagging, PDF export, writing prompts, posting by email and version history.
Penzu has a free plan. Paid plans start at $19.99 per year, or $4.99 per month. See every plan
Good for
- 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
Worth knowing
- 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.
Key features
- 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.
Penzu pricing
- Starts at
- $19.99 per year, or $4.99 per month
- Free plan
- Basic plan: unlimited entries, the mobile apps, basic journal covers and fonts, and simple writing reminders. No credit card is required.
- Free trial
- None listed
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $0 | Unlimited entries, mobile apps, basic journal covers and fonts, and simple writing reminders. |
| Penzu Pro | $19.99per 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+ | $49.99per 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 | $199.99one-time payment | Everything in Pro+ for a single payment with no renewal, plus 24-hour support. |
Read from penzu.com on Oct 5, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Penzu before you buy.
Ways to pay less
- Annual discountUp 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.
Stated on penzu.com - Lifetime licensePenzu 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.
Stated on penzu.com
How people rate the Penzu app
4.2
out of 5 for the iPhone and iPad app
- 5 stars67%
- 4 stars15%
- 3 stars5%
- 2 stars4%
- 1 star10%
2,532 ratings on the App Store in the United States, read Oct 5, 2026. It rates the app, not everything the product does. See the listing
Penzu alternatives
- Penzu vs Journey
Free plan · from $17.99 one-time
- Penzu vs Day One
Free plan · from $49.99/yr
- Penzu vs Diaro
Free plan · from $8.99/yr
Common questions
Is Penzu free?
Penzu has a free plan. Basic plan: unlimited entries, the mobile apps, basic journal covers and fonts, and simple writing reminders. No credit card is required. Paid plans start at $19.99 per year, or $4.99 per month.
How much does Penzu cost?
Penzu lists 4 plans. Basic: $0. Penzu Pro: $19.99 per year, or $4.99 per month. Penzu Pro+: $49.99 per year, or $9.99 per month. Penzu Pro+ Lifetime: $199.99 one-time payment. Prices were read from penzu.com on Oct 5, 2026.
What platforms does Penzu work on?
Penzu is available on Web, iOS and Android.
Does Penzu offer any discounts?
Penzu publicly lists the following: Up to 66% off with yearly billing; Penzu Pro+ Lifetime for $199.99.
How is Penzu rated?
Penzu's iPhone and iPad app averages 4.2 out of 5 from 2,532 ratings on the App Store in the United States, as read on Oct 5, 2026. That is the store's rating of the app, not a score from us.
Does Penzu have a Windows app?
No Windows app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 5, 2026. Penzu is listed for Web, iOS and Android.
Does Penzu have a macOS app?
No macOS app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 5, 2026. Penzu is listed for Web, iOS and Android.
Is Penzu open source?
Penzu is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Oct 5, 2026.
Does Penzu 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.
Who makes Penzu?
Penzu is made by Penzu Inc.
What are the alternatives to Penzu?
The closest alternatives to Penzu in our directory are Journey, Day One, Diaro, 750 Words and Journalistic. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Penzu.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Oct 5, 2026. What people say is linked where it appears.