15 Best Digital Journal Apps for 2023

Incorporating journaling into your daily routine can be a simple yet powerful way to promote self-awareness, emotional well-being, and personal growth. The format and content of a journal are highly personal, allowing individuals to tailor the practice to their specific needs and preferences. In this aspect, the best digital journaling apps are bliss for those who practice daily journaling on a regular basis.

Let us learn what a digital journal app is and how you can make good use of it.

What is a Digital Journal App?

A digital journal app is like a diary on your phone or computer. It’s a handy tool for writing down your thoughts, experiences, and feelings. With easy-to-use features, you can type or even voice-record your entries. These apps often come with helpful extras like photos and reminders. They are secure, and accessible anywhere, making it simple to capture your daily life or special moments. It becomes your private space in the digital world.

What to Look in for the Best Digital Journal App?

Choosing the best digital journal app can enhance your journaling experience. To do so, you need to figure out the features required and offered by these journal apps. In this way, you can access a convenient and organized way to capture your thoughts and memories.

Here are key features of the best digital journal app you must consider:

Ease of Use

Look for an app with a user-friendly interface. It should be easy to navigate and allow you to focus on writing without getting bogged down by complicated features.

Accessibility

Choose an app that is available on multiple platforms like smartphones, tablets, and computers.

Security

Choose an app that offers robust security features, such as password protection or biometric authentication, to keep your personal thoughts safe from prying eyes.

Customization

Look for customization options like different fonts, colors, and themes to make your journal reflect your style.

Multimedia Support

Being able to add photos, audio recordings, or even sketches can enrich your entries and provide a more comprehensive record of your experiences.

Search Options and Organization

Look for a digital journal app that offers search functionality and the ability to categorize or tag entries. This factor helps in managing and revisiting specific topics easily.

Synchronization

This factor ensures that your journal is always up to date, regardless of whether you are using your phone, tablet, or computer.

Backup and Export Options

The best digital journal apps should offer backup options to prevent data loss. Look for the ability to export your entries in various formats.

Top 15 Digital Journal Apps 2023

Here is the list of the best digital journal apps of 2023 you are eagerly waiting for to try.

1. ClickUp

ClickUp is the best digital journal app that helps you organize tasks, goals, notes, and more in one place. It has the ideal user-friendly features to boost creativity at work and in your personal life.

ClickUp

Features:

• Customizable access setting for self, guest, and public
• Mobile and web app versions available
• Connect voice assistants easily
• Documents are linked to Workspace
• Docs made from texts can be made private tasks for personal development
• Easy formatting of texts with slash commands and editing shortcuts

Pricing:

• The free version comes with decent storage and tools.
• The Unlimited Plan for small teams costs $7/month/user.
• The Business Plan costs $12/month/user and is ideal for a midsized team.
• Contact the Sales department for Enterprise plans.

Download link:

Website: https://clickup.com/

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.mangotechnologies.clickup&hl=en&gl=US&pli=1

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/clickup-manage-teams-tasks/id1535098836

2. Day One

Day One is a personal digital journal app. It is accessible on iOS and Android devices. Unlike more structured apps, Day One is more free-form, resembling an open-ended digital diary.

Day One

Features:

• Unlimited text entries
• Rich text formatting features
• Automatic backup
• Tag locations
• Import and export options available

Pricing:

• Day One offers a one-month trial period.
• The free version comes with no ads.
• The Premium plan costs $2.92/month billed annually.

Download Link:

Website: https://dayoneapp.com/

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dayoneapp.dayone&hl=en&gl=US

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/day-one-journal-private-diary/id1044867788

3. The Five Minute Journal

Do you want to be your digital journal more interesting and assistive? Well, The Five Minute Journal is the right choice. It adds prompts to your daily journal routine related to daily activities, gratefulness, events, happy moments, etc. to help you write.

The Five Minute Journal

Features:

• Quick entry through the easy UI
• Easy structured default prompts for guidance and entries
• Boost mindset with positive affirmations
• Set goals on the app

Pricing:

• The app can be used for free.
• Premium features unlock with in-app purchases.

Download Link:

Android: https://www.intelligentchange.com/pages/fmj-app-android

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/5-minute-journal-self-care/id1062945251

4. Penzu

Penzu is one of the most popular digital journal apps with exclusive features. It is a freeform app that resembles a diary. Users can create a structured journal with its inbuilt tools.

Penzu

Features:

• Encryption and password protection
• Sync docs easily
• Android and iOS app versions available
• Email reminders for regular writing
• Customizable diary interface

Pricing:

• It has a free version.
• The Pro version costs $19.99/year.
• The Pro+ version costs $49.99/year.

Download Link:

Website: https://penzu.com/

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.penzu.android&hl=en&gl=US

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/mk/app/penzu/id452674732

5. Daybook

Daybook is known as one of the best digital journal apps with the simple UIs. Its user experience is minimal offering a great platform to jot down your daily activities and notes without distractions.

Daybook

Features:

• Customizable text features
• Dark UI themes for night mode
• Integrate with digital voice assistants
• Password and biometric protection
• Encryption for data protection

Pricing:

• The Basic Plan is free.
• The Premium Plan is $29.99 billed annually.
• The Business Plan can be customized considering the requirements.

Download Link:

Website: https://daybook.app/

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bigheadtechies.diary&hl=en&gl=US

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/daybook-journal-diary/id1332489182

6. Dabble.me

Dabble.me easily recognizes as a good digital journal application you can use on a regular basis. The best part is that it sends an email notification or alert. All you have to do is to reply the email sent and get the journal entry added to the app.

Dabble.Me

Features:

• Email-based easy journaling method
• Edit journal entries
• Rich text formatting features
• Customize email notification frequency
• Get a review annually
• Discover default tags or prompts

Pricing:

• The Basic Plan is free with limited features.
• The Dabble Me Pro Plan is $3 billed monthly.

Download Link:

Website: https://dabble.me/

7. Journey

Journey is the ideal digital journal app for Android and iOS devices. It has a good UI packed with exclusive features for writing and storing your daily journal.

Journey

Features:

• Easy formatting of texts
• Insert images
• Unlimited entries
• Insert journal entries with email
• Use Zapier to introduce social media posts

Pricing:

• It does not have a free version.
• The membership costs $4.17/month billed annually.

Download Link:

Website: https://journey.cloud/

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.journey.app&hl=en&gl=US

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/journey-diary-journal/id1300202543

8. Diaro

Diaro is one of the best digital journal apps designed to cultivate a journaling habit. Its user-friendly interface allows users to add entries, organize notes, search through past writings, and build a growing library of pages over time.

Diaro

Features:

• Journal organization easy with tags and folder formation
• Add location and images to entries
• Supports 30+ languages
• Easy syncing with Dropbox
• Limited text formatting features

Pricing:

• It has a free version.
• The Diaro Pro plan costs $8.99/month.

Download Link:

Website: https://diaroapp.com/

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pixelcrater.Diaro&hl=en&gl=US

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/diary-journal-notes-diaro/id882519460

9. Reflectly

Reflectly is considered as an intelligent journal for its emphasis on mindfulness and mental health tracking. Users can explore daily journal prompts, track progress, receive motivational quotes, and engage in daily challenges.

Reflectly

Features:

• Answer questionnaires to track mental health
• Inbuilt inspiration prompts
• Review on journal entries
• Track habits and mood with AI

Pricing: No information available on the official website.

Download Link:

Website: https://reflectly.app/

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.reflectlyApp

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/reflectly-journal-ai-diary/id1241229134

10. Notion

Notion is a versatile digital workspace and planner app featuring various journal and habit tracker templates for personalized use. It enables users to create a comprehensive journal with databases.

Notion

Features:

• Bullet journal template formation
• Customization with colors, headers, images. Databases, etc
• Easy organization of audiovisual files
• Multiple journal creation along with workspace entries

Pricing:

• It has a free version with limited features.
• The Plus Plan costs $8/user/month billed annually.
• The Business Plan costs $15/month/user billed annually.

Download Link:

Website: https://www.notion.so/

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=notion.id&hl=en&gl=US

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/notion-notes-docs-tasks/id1232780281

11. Daylio

Daylio is a digital journal app that says it’s all about taking care of you. It helps track your mood, happiness, and goals. You pick how you feel, write about your day, and set goals to follow your progress over time.

Daylio

Features:

• Self-care and mental health journal app
• Integrate with calendar
• Track your goal progress with advanced statistics
• Use themes for customization
• Supports multiple languages

Pricing:

• It has a free version.
• Its premium version costs $4.99/month and $35.99 annually

Download Link:

Website: https://daylio.net/

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.daylio&hl=en&gl=US

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/daylio-journal-daily-diary/id1194023242

12. Momento

Momento is one of the most popular daily journaling apps designed for IOS devices only. You can introduce content from Instagram, Goodreads, Spotify and other platforms.

Momento

Features:

• Add images, videos and locations to your notes
• Mark calendar with events
• Easy integration with social media
• Easy reviewing and searching entries

Pricing:

• It has a free version.
• The Premium Plan costs $14.99/month.

Download Link:

Website: https://momentoapp.com/

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/momento-private-journal-diary/id980592846

13. Diarium

Diarium is a digital journal app with a traditional UI. It works on different platforms and is simple to begin journaling. You can add audio notes, videos, photos, etc.

Diarium

Features:

• Add tags and locations to entries
• Review entries
• Easy addition to your calendar
• Cloud syncing
• Choose color, theme, accent, and langauge

Pricing:

• It has a free version.
• The Premium for iOS and Android costs $4.99/month/user.
• For Mac OS, it costs $8.99. For Windows, it costs $19.99/year.

Download Link:

Website: https://diariumapp.com/

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=partl.Diarium&hl=en&gl=US

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/diarium-journal-diary/id1436044299

14. Grid Diary

Grid Diary is a new and straightforward digital journaling app to begin this journey. It employs reflective prompts and diary templates to streamline the process.

Grid Diary

Features:

• Guided writing experience
• Inbuilt prompts for self reflection, progress, and gratitude
• Personalize journal entries with fonts, stickers, images, etc

Pricing:

• It has a free version.
• The premium version costs $2.99/month with a 3-day trial period.
• The annual plan costs $22.99 with a 2-week trial period.

Download Link:

Website: https://griddiaryapp.com/

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.sumi.griddiary2

Mac OS and iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/grid-diary-journal-planner/id1392523148

15. GoodNotes

GoodNotes is an ideal journal app designed for iOS and Mac OS devices. It offers a digital platform where you can introduce hand-drawn images and shapes.

GoodNotes

Features:

• Digital bullet journal
• Introduce hand-drawn images and shapes
• Add photos and location to entries
• Different customizable canvases

Pricing:

• It offers a free version.
• The premium version costs $9.99/year.
• Users can also pay a one-time fee of $29.99 for its lifetime premium access.

Download Link:

Website: https://www.goodnotes.com/

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/goodnotes-6/id1444383602?source=post_page—–b6db33c5e6d7——————————–

Find the Best Digital Journal App!

Consider this list of the 15 best digital journal apps and compare the available options. Find out the exclusive features you need in the application along with your device specification. Choose the best journaling app and take the first step to the noting your thoughts and events digitally.

FAQs: Best Digital Journal Apps for 2023

1. What are the best digital journal apps?

Answer:

The best digital journal apps are:

• ClickUp
• Day One
• The Five Minute Journal
• Penzu
• Daybook
• Dabble.me
• Journey
• Diaro
• Reflectly
• Notion

2. What is the best free digital journal app?

Answer:

The most popular digital journal apps offer a basic version for free. These free versions come with limited features. The best free digital app you can use is Day One.

3. Which one is the most secure digital journal app?

Answer:

Penzu is considered the most secure digital journal app by users and reviewers. It offers a double-password protection with military-grade 256-bit encryption.

4. How can I choose the ideal digital journal app?

Answer:

Consider your requirements. Find out why you need a journal app. Based on your findings, you can choose a suitable app to use regularly.