Apple Journal vs Daybook

Apple Journal9.0Visit Daybook8.3Visit

Higher score Apple Journal #4 in Journal Apps 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Apple Journal

vs

Daybook #11 in Journal Apps 8.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 5 features Visit Daybook

• Apple Journal fits best

  Apple users wanting a polished free journal

• Daybook fits best

  Affordable guided journaling with AI features

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature	Apple Journal 9.0/10 Visit ↗	Daybook 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.0	8.3
Ranking	#4 in Journal Apps	#11 in Journal Apps
Best for	Apple users wanting a polished free journal	Affordable guided journaling with AI features
Pricing model	Free	Free plan + paid
Starting price	Free plan	$39.99/yr
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop, Mobile	Cloud, Mobile
Platforms	iOS, macOS	Web, iOS, Android
Support	Phone, Live chat, Docs	Email
Integrations	5 integrations	3 integrations
Built for	Solo	Solo, Small business
Features Apple Journal 4/5 · Daybook 3/5
Media attachments	✓	✓
Offline access	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Privacy lock	✓	✓
End-to-end encryption	✓ (best)	—
Search and filters	✓	✓
Specs
Export formats	Multiple	Basic
Platform coverage	Not checked yet	All
Our review
Pros	Rich attachments for photos, video, audio, locations, drawings and music Search, calendar, Places views, filters and multiple journals Passcode, biometric and Mac password locks with iCloud sync	Free plan includes unlimited entries and multi-device sync Pro adds AI, guided journals, mood analytics, and custom templates Available on web, iOS, and Android with PDF export
Cons	Availability centers on iPhone, iPad and Mac Apple ecosystem integrations may limit cross-platform flexibility Export is limited to ZIP files and PDFs, plus printing	No end-to-end encryption is documented AI and advanced journaling tools require the Pro plan PDF export is limited to basic formats
Our verdict	Apple Journal is a free personal journaling app for recording everyday experiences and special events. It supports text entries, writing prompts and journaling suggestions, while allowing users to add photos, videos, audio recordings,… Read the review →	Daybook is a cloud-based diary and journaling app for recording thoughts, activities, experiences, photos, ideas, and moods. It suits people who want guided prompts alongside flexible freeform entries, with calendar navigation, tags,… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Apple Journal — where it wins

  • Rich attachments for photos, video, audio, locations, drawings and music
  • Search, calendar, Places views, filters and multiple journals
  • Passcode, biometric and Mac password locks with iCloud sync

  Where it doesn't

  • Availability centers on iPhone, iPad and Mac
  • Apple ecosystem integrations may limit cross-platform flexibility
  • Export is limited to ZIP files and PDFs, plus printing

• Daybook — where it wins

  • Free plan includes unlimited entries and multi-device sync
  • Pro adds AI, guided journals, mood analytics, and custom templates
  • Available on web, iOS, and Android with PDF export

  Where it doesn't

  • No end-to-end encryption is documented
  • AI and advanced journaling tools require the Pro plan
  • PDF export is limited to basic formats

• Apple Journal9.0/10 · Free plan

  A polished free journal with rich attachments, privacy controls and Apple ecosystem integration.

  Visit Apple JournalFull verdict →
• Daybook8.3/10 · Free plan

  A flexible cross-platform journal with useful AI and organization tools.

  Visit DaybookFull verdict →