# Penzu

> Private online journal for the browser, with iOS and Android apps

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.

- **Category:** Journaling Apps
- **Made by:** Penzu Inc.
- **Website:** https://penzu.com
- **Runs on:** Web, iOS, Android
- **Facts last checked:** Oct 5, 2026

## Pricing

Penzu has a free plan. Paid plans start at $19.99 per year, or $4.99 per month.

- **Pricing model:** Free plan
- **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 | $19.99 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. |

Read from https://penzu.com/pro on Oct 5, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Penzu before buying.

## Ways to pay less

- **Up to 66% off with yearly billing** (Annual discount): 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. Source: https://penzu.com/pro
- **Penzu Pro+ Lifetime for $199.99** (Lifetime license): A one-time payment of $199.99 buys the Pro+ feature set with no renewal, as listed on Penzu's Pro page. Source: https://penzu.com/pro

## 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.

## 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.

## What people say

- **App Store rating of the iPhone and iPad app:** 4.2 out of 5 from 2,532 ratings in the United States, read Oct 5, 2026. This is the store's rating of the app, not a score from ToolGPA. Source: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id452674732

**Tags:** Daily notes, Long-form writing, Works offline, One-time purchase

## Alternatives

- [Journey](https://toolgpa.com/tools/journey): Cross-platform diary with maps, mood tracking and guided programs. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/journey-vs-penzu)
- [Day One](https://toolgpa.com/tools/day-one): Encrypted journal for text, photos, audio and video across devices. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/day-one-vs-penzu)
- [Diaro](https://toolgpa.com/tools/diaro): Diary and notes app that syncs through your own Dropbox. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/diaro-vs-penzu)
- [750 Words](https://toolgpa.com/tools/750-words): Private daily writing site built around a 750-word goal. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/750-words-vs-penzu)
- [Journalistic](https://toolgpa.com/tools/journalistic): Micro journaling web app built around short bulleted entries. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/journalistic-vs-penzu)

## Sources

The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Oct 5, 2026:

- https://penzu.com/pro
- https://penzu.com
- https://apps.apple.com/us/app/penzu/id452674732

Page: https://toolgpa.com/tools/penzu
Listed by ToolGPA (toolgpa.com).