I compiled this list of the 10 best online journal apps with testing support from our team. Each app on the list offers a free trial and is budget-friendly for long-term use. Some excel with user-friendly prompts and templates, while my top picks include features like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) tools and mindfulness practices.
Our Selections
- Best For Mental Wellness - Day One | Read review
- Best For Women - The 5 Minute Journal | Read review
- Best For Anxiety - WorryTree | Read review
- Best Gratitude Journal - Delightful | Read review
- Best AI Integration - Reflectly | Read review
- Best For CBT - Clarity: CBT Thought Diary | Read review
- Best to Track Healthy Habits - Fabulous | Read review
- Best Mood Tracking - Daylio | Read review
- Best Symptom Tracking - Bearable | Read review
- Most Creative Space - Zinnia | Read review
Closer Look at The Best Apps
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Detailed Review of Journal Apps
Below, we cover each of our favorite apps in detail.
- Price: $34.99 annually
- Journal Prompts? No
- Habit/Mood Tracking? No
- Free Trial? Yes
Day One’s minimalist design makes journaling easy and secure. You can capture memories, reflect, and organize your thoughts with features like photo support, location tagging, and syncing across devices. It’s a simple, private way to document your life and preserve your story.
Pros & Cons
- Great free version
- One-month free trial of premium
- Available for iOS & Android
- Unlimited photos with premium
- Additional motivational content
- Limited export options
- No mental health resources
- Some integrations are just for Apple
- No collaborative journaling options
Cost
The Day One premium version costs $2.92 monthly (billed annually at $34.99). Currently, there is a one-month free trial. You can cancel your subscription anytime without losing data.
Overview
Day One’s open-ended journaling experience puts you in charge of creation and curation. Any time you create a journal entry (complete with text, drawings, and pictures), the app saves data about your location, time, and date, which could be helpful in identifying triggers in your surroundings. Another great aspect is that all basic functions are completely free. You can free-write, add one photo per entry, review past entries, and export content for free.
With Premium, you have unlimited access, devices, journals, photo capabilities, and voice-to-text capabilities. While there is not an integrated mood or habit tracking feature, it’s still a great platform to record these things more fluidly, in your own way.
To learn even more, read our in-depth Day One App Review.
- Price: $39.99 annually
- Journal Prompts? Yes
- Habit/Mood Tracking? Yes
- Free Trial? Yes
Women, who frequently shoulder emotional and caretaking roles within their families, in addition to their other roles, will find the guided 5 Minute Journal App especially beneficial. It’s an efficient platform for introspection, reflection, gratitude, and self-care, fitting easily into busiest routines.
Pros & Cons
- Only takes five minutes a day
- Includes journal prompts
- Includes gratitude journal & mood tracker
- Soothing soundscapes
- Occasionally glitchy
- Pricing is unclear
- Requires a lot of scrolling
Cost
The premium version of the Five Minute Journal app costs $9.99 monthly and $39.99 annually.
Overview
The 5 Minute Journal App leverages the principles of positive psychology to help you increase happiness, motivation, and self-care. Ideal for busy individuals, particularly women who often balance multiple roles and responsibilities, this app is a simple yet powerful tool for self-improvement and mindfulness. You spend just a few minutes each day reflecting on your intentions, celebrating highlights, and affirming your goals.
- Price: $49.99 annually
- Journal Prompts? No; but you can purchase $10 downloadable workbook
- Habit/Mood Tracking? No; however, there is an Uncertainty Tracker
- Free Trial? Yes
WorryTree empowers you to record and categorize your specific worries or overthinking triggers. Designed to complement CBT, it supports you whether you’re in therapy or using it on your own, making it a practical and empowering resource for anxiety relief.
Pros & Cons
- Highly intuitive interface
- Includes Uncertainty Tracker
- Offer interactive $20 course to stop worrying
- No free journal prompts
- No mood or habit tracker
- Not a lot of free-writing space
Cost
Pricing varies by country; in the United States, the cost of WorryTree is $5.99 monthly or $49.99 annually. Upgrade for seven-day free trial.
Overview
WorryTree helps you manage anxiety and overthinking with practical, CBT-based tools. Its Worry Journal gives you a simple, intuitive space to list and categorize concerns, make plans, and take action. By guiding you toward constructive thoughts and responses, it fosters confidence and self-awareness, creating a ripple effect of positive change in your daily life.
- Price: Free
- Journal Prompts? Yes
- Habit/Mood Tracking? No
- Free Trial? Free app
I included Delightful Journal as the Best Gratitude Journal because it focuses on cultivating positivity through simple, guided prompts. Its clean design and user-friendly interface make it easy for you to build a daily gratitude habit, fostering mindfulness and appreciation in just a few minutes a day.
Pros & Cons
- Completely free to use
- Simple, clean, & easy to use
- Only takes a few minutes daily
- No extra content or tracking
Cost
Delightful Journal is completely free to use.
Overview
Delightful Journal can help you cultivate gratitude and positivity in your daily life. With its simple, guided gratitude prompts, it encourages you to reflect on what brings you joy and appreciate the small, meaningful moments. The app’s clean, user-friendly interface makes it easy to create a consistent, realistic gratitude practice, helping you build mindfulness and foster a more positive mindset over time.
- Price: $19.99 – $59.99 annually
- Journal Prompts? Yes
- Habit/Mood Tracking? Yes
- Free Trial? Yes
I included Reflectly in our list because it makes journaling more personalized and engaging. Using AI-driven prompts, it helps you reflect on your day, track your mood over time, and gain insights into your emotional well-being. With its sleek design and motivational approach, Reflectly makes it easy to build a consistent self-care habit.
Pros & Cons
- Free version is great for beginners
- Daily journaling prompts
- Helpful mood check-ins
- Fun challenges
- Talk-to-text option
- 7-day free trial
- Journaling space is smaller than other apps
- Can be occasionally glitchy on Android
Cost
Reflectly Premium costs $19.99 annually on Android and $59.99 annually on Apple. There is a seven-day free trial available.
Overview
Reflectly helps you make sense of your emotional experiences by turning journaling into a guided and interactive practice. With AI-driven prompts and mood tracking, it offers insights into your mental well-being while encouraging mindfulness and reflection. Designed to inspire and motivate, Reflectly helps you create a fun and consistent habit that supports your personal growth and emotional balance.
To learn more about this fun app, read our in-depth Reflectly App Review.
- Price: $59.99 – $69.99 annually
- Journal Prompts? Yes
- Habit/Mood Tracking? Yes
- Free Trial? Yes
If you are new to CBT and need some scaffolding to learn more, Clarity is perfect for you. Through engaging daily mood check-ins and metacognition practices, you learn to identify, challenge, and reframe negative thoughts.
Pros & Cons
- Learning courses teach CBT techniques
- Available for both Apple & Android
- 7-day free trial
- Free version is limited; the best content is locked behind a paywall
- May be too basic for those familiar with CBT
- Exported journal entries are hard to read
Cost
For the premium version, Apple users pay $69.99 annually (or $99.99 for a family plan), whereas Android users pay $59.99 annually. There is a seven-day free trial.
Overview
Clarity is designed to help you integrate CBT skills into your journaling practice. After completing a mood check-in, the app prompts you to do a guided journal that encourages self-reflection and helps you challenge negative thoughts. Unlike many apps where the journaling space is separate, Clarity keeps everything in one place, allowing you to choose the prompt that feels right for you at that moment. This makes it easier to stay engaged and supported as you work through your emotions and build healthier patterns of thought.
To learn how journaling with CBT methods can help, read our in-depth review of Clarity.
- Price: $39.99 – $59.99 annually
- Journal Prompts? No
- Habit/Mood Tracking? Yes
- Free Trial? Yes
Fabulous goes beyond traditional journaling by walking you through the mechanics of creating better habits, helping you develop healthy routines. With guided challenges, themed courses, and personalized reminders, it encourages you to stay motivated, track progress, and look back on your goals with a critical eye.
Pros & Cons
- Daily habits are achievable
- Extensive Community space
- 7-day free trial of premium content
- Feature in-app workouts
- More dynamic content locked behind paywall
- Costs can be confusing
Cost
Fabulous costs $39.99 – $59.99, billed monthly or annually. It also comes with a seven-day free trial.
Overview
Fabulous leads you toward creating positive change by building healthy habits and routines. Through guided challenges and personalized reminders, the app keeps you motivated and focused. It encourages you to reflect on your progress, fostering mindfulness and self-awareness along the way. Whether you’re looking to improve your mental well-being, productivity, or overall lifestyle, Fabulous offers the tools to support and guide you in making those changes.
Fabulous also offers pre-recorded coaching audios on topics like burnout, resilience, mindfulness, anxiety, and more. Plus, you can also find meditations, breathwork exercises, and stories for sleep in the app.
To learn how to build more resilience, read our in-depth Fabulous app review.
- Price: $4.99 monthly; $35.99 annually
- Journal Prompts? No
- Habit/Mood Tracking? Yes
- Free Trial? Yes
Daylio’s vibrant design makes it fun to use, while its detailed tracking system helps you connect your mood with specific behaviors and activities. Like a digital bullet journal, Daylio lets you log moods, habits, and activities using a variety of icons, and you can easily export your data to gain deeper insights into your emotional patterns.
Pros & Cons
- Substantial free content
- Only takes 5 minutes daily
- Fully exportable
- 7-day free trial
- No journal prompts
- No community space
- Free version only exports as CSV table
Cost
Daylio’s premium version costs $4.99 monthly or $35.99 annually. There is also an option to pay a one-time fee of $59.99. Users can opt for a seven-day free trial.
Overview
As a mood-tracking app, Daylio makes it easy for you to understand the connection between emotion and behavior. It features a small journaling space, similar to Reflectly’s, but with a twist—there are plenty of icons to choose from to track your mood, activities, and habits. If you’re not a fan of writing, Daylio offers a more visual and interactive way to journal, making it enjoyable and easy to use. Plus, the app lets you export your data for deeper insights into your emotional patterns over time.
To learn more about this engaging mood-tracking app, read our Daylio app review.
- Price: $34.99 annually
- Journal Prompts? Yes
- Habit/Mood Tracking? Yes
- Free Trial? Yes
Bearable is a comprehensive way to track your moods, symptoms, and medications, all in one place. By consistently logging your information, you can gain a clear picture of your health, which is especially useful when sharing with a psychiatrist or therapist. Its ability to export data makes it a valuable tool for managing your mental and/or physical well-being.
Pros & Cons
- Track moods, activities, & medications
- 7-day free trial of premium
- Logs information for psychiatrist/therapist/clinician
- Journaling space is small
- Metrics only available for premium
Cost
Users can track symptoms, moods, and additional metrics for free; however, the premium version, which provides more metrics and insights, costs $34.99 annually. There is a seven-day free trial.
Overview
Bearable combines aspects of several types or “genres” of tracking apps. You can log your moods, symptoms, activities, medications, and more. This data allows you to see exactly what factors affect your well-being. You can even set reminders for specific times to take your medication or to log an activity, which will help you stay on track.
Bearable also offers significant mental health metrics. Track your levels of anxiety, stress, depression, etc. The goal is to glean insight based on patterns. This comprehensive approach, which allows you to monitor the impacts of mental health treatment, makes Bearable one of the best journaling apps for anyone looking to enhance their well-being.
To learn all about this app, please read our comprehensive Bearable app review.
- Price: $9.99 monthly; $39.99 annually
- Journal Prompts? Yes
- Habit/Mood Tracking? Yes
- Free Trial? Yes
I included Zinnia in our list because it offers a beautifully designed, highly customizable journaling experience. With a variety of templates, stickers, and creative tools, it lets you express your thoughts in a way that feels personal and inspiring. Zinnia makes journaling fun and artistic, while still offering a space for reflection and mindfulness.
Pros & Cons
- Add stickers, drawings, & decorative elements
- Includes journal prompts & mood tracking
- Premium offers exporting
- Seven-day free trial
- Only available on Apple
- No mental health resources
- Some decorative features are distracting
Cost
Zinnia offers a free seven-day trial. For a subscription, Zinnia costs $3.99 weekly, $9.99 monthly, or $39.99 annually.
Overview
Zinnia lets you create personalized journals that cater to your unique needs and preferences. With a wide range of templates, stickers, and drawing tools, the app makes it easy to document your thoughts, track habits, and set goals. Whether you’re using it for daily reflections, artistic projects, or planning, Zinnia offers a seamless and enjoyable experience. It transforms traditional journaling into an interactive activity, ideal for anyone looking to enhance their mental well-being and boost productivity.
Learn more about Zinnia in the Apple app store.
Compare the Best Journal Apps
Free Trial | Free app | |||||||||
Costs | $34.99 annually | $9.99 monthly; $39.99 annually | $5.99 monthly; $49.99 annually | Free | $19.99 - $59.99 annually | $69.99 - $59.99 annually | $39.99 - $59.99 annually | $4.99 monthly, $35.99 annually | $34.99 annually | $3.99 weekly; $9.99 monthly |
Habit/Mood Tracking | ||||||||||
Journal Prompts |
Free Trial | |||||||||
Free app | |||||||||
Costs | |||||||||
$34.99 annually | $9.99 monthly; $39.99 annually | $5.99 monthly; $49.99 annually | Free | $19.99 - $59.99 annually | $69.99 - $59.99 annually | $39.99 - $59.99 annually | $4.99 monthly, $35.99 annually | $34.99 annually | $3.99 weekly; $9.99 monthly |
Habit/Mood Tracking | |||||||||
Journal Prompts | |||||||||
Other Companies to Consider
While the following apps and companies did not make our final list of Best Journal Apps, they still have many good qualities and are worth exploring.
Price: $4.17 monthly, billed annually
Free Trial? Yes
Learn MoreShow less
Journey app features a highly customizable entry space that pairs with your phone system’s health metrics. It’s a great app for general mental health and wellness. It has a little bit of everything, including shared journaling, journal prompts, templates, timelines, calendars, and text-based coaching. Journey costs $4.17 monthly billed annually. Or you can pay a one-time fee of $199.99 for lifetime access.
Price: $29.99 monthly
Free Trial? No
Learn MoreShow less
Sensa is geared toward people with mild anxiety, stress, or depression. The Sensa app features a mood journal and self-paced CBT lessons designed to help you learn how your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are intertwined. Each day you will do a combination of lessons, quizzes, and activities. You can only access costs by taking a quiz on their website. Pricing is $29.99 monthly to $59.99 for a six-month plan. There is no free trial.
To learn more, read our in-depth Sensa Health App review.
Price: Free – $199.99
Free Trial? No
Learn MoreShow less
Waffle is one of few journal apps that allows you to create shared writing spaces. While the guiding questions in the app aren’t necessarily mental health-based, they can be helpful for families with children who don’t know what to write about. Waffle is also great for couples who have to spend time apart but want to keep communicating.
Waffle is free; however, Waffle Plus costs $74.99 for 1 Plus Journal, $129.99 for 2 Plus Journals, and $199.99 for Unlimited Plus. There is no free trial for Waffle Plus.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Makes a Good Journal App?
Key features to look for in a good journal app include ease of use, customization options (e.g., themes or templates), security, mood tracking, reminders, and the ability to export data. Some apps may also offer guided prompts, habit tracking, or integration with mental health tools.
Is Digital Journaling Good for Mental Health?
Yes, digital journaling can be good for mental health. It offers a convenient and structured way to reflect on thoughts and emotions, track moods, and manage stress. Additionally, digital journaling often allows for quick and easy access, making it easier to document thoughts in real-time. It can also be a valuable tool for therapy, as some apps allow users to share their entries with mental health professionals.
Is it Better to Journal on Paper or in an App?
Whether a digital or paper journal is better depends on personal preference and how you like to express yourself. Expressing yourself through any kind of writing helps you process emotions, reflect on experiences, and gain insights into your thoughts and behaviors. While digital journaling offers convenience and additional features, some people still prefer traditional paper journaling for its tactile experience.
Are Journal Apps Secure?
Many journal apps prioritize privacy and security, offering encrypted storage for your entries. However, it’s important to review the app’s privacy policy and settings to ensure your data is protected. Some apps also allow password protection or biometric login for added security.
Can I Export My Journal Entries?
Yes, many journal apps allow you to export your entries in various formats (e.g., PDF, text files). This can be useful for sharing with a therapist, tracking progress, or preserving your thoughts over time.
Do I Need to Be a Writer to Use a Journal App?
No, journal apps are designed for everyone, regardless of writing ability. Many apps include prompts or visual tools (such as mood tracking or icons) to help you express yourself, making journaling accessible to anyone who is interested.
Are Journal Apps Available on Multiple Devices?
Some journal apps like Day One offer syncing across devices, meaning you can access your entries from your phone, tablet, or computer. This makes it easy to journal wherever you are, whether you’re at home, at work, or on the go.
ChoosingTherapy.com strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. We have high standards for what can be cited within our articles. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. Learn more by reviewing our full editorial policy.
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Bell, Caitlin. (July, 2024). “Day One App Review: Pros & Cons, Cost, & Who It’s Right For“ https://www.choosingtherapy.com/dayone-app-review/
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Bell, Caitlin, (April, 2024). “Reflectly App Review: Pros & Cons, Cost, & Who It’s Right For” https://www.choosingtherapy.com/reflectly-app-review/
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Bell, Catilin. (May, 2024). “CBT Thought Diary – Clarity App Review: Pros & Cons, Cost, & Who It’s Right For“ https://www.choosingtherapy.com/cbt-thought-diary-review/
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Bell, Caitlin. (May, 2024). “Fabulous App Review: Pros & Cons, Cost, & Who It’s Right For” https://www.choosingtherapy.com/fabulous-app-review/
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Bell, Caitlin. (April, 2024). “Daylio App Review: Pros & Cons, Cost & Who It’s Right For” https://www.choosingtherapy.com/daylio-app-review/
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Bell, Cailtin. (June, 2024). “Bearable App Review: Pros & Cons, Cost, & Who It’s Right For” https://www.choosingtherapy.com/bearable-app-review/
We regularly update the articles on ChoosingTherapy.com to ensure we continue to reflect scientific consensus on the topics we cover, to incorporate new research into our articles, and to better answer our audience’s questions. When our content undergoes a significant revision, we summarize the changes that were made and the date on which they occurred. We also record the authors and medical reviewers who contributed to previous versions of the article. Read more about our editorial policies here.
Author: Melissa Boudin, PsyD (Updated Author)
Medical Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, MD (Updated)
Primary Changes: Fact-checked all information and reconsidered/made changes to the recommendations list based on research and product testing. Updated where necessary to improve factual accuracy and readability. Removed three apps (Journey Journal, Waffle, and Sensa), adding them to Other Companies to Consider; added one new platform (Delightful Journal).
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