Apple Journal vs Penso Notes

Apple Journal9.0Visit Penso Notes7.8Visit

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

vs

Penso Notes #16 in Journal Apps 7.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Penso Notes

• Apple Journal fits best

  Apple users wanting a polished free journal

• Penso Notes fits best

  Free mobile bullet-journal style logging

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Side by side

Feature	Apple Journal 9.0/10 Visit ↗	Penso Notes 7.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.0	7.8
Ranking	#4 in Journal Apps	#16 in Journal Apps
Best for	Apple users wanting a polished free journal	Free mobile bullet-journal style logging
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop, Mobile	Mobile
Platforms	iOS, macOS	iOS, Android
Support	Phone, Live chat, Docs	Email
Integrations	5 integrations	2 integrations
Built for	Solo	Solo, Small business
Features Apple Journal 4/5 · Penso Notes 5/5
Media attachments	✓	✓
Offline access	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Privacy lock	✓	✓
End-to-end encryption	✓	✓
Search and filters	✓	✓
Specs
Export formats	Multiple	Basic
Platform coverage	Not checked yet	Mobile
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	Rapid bullet-style logging with custom bullets and multiple diaries Rich entries with photos, video, audio, drawings, stickers, and files Free plan includes backups, PIN lock, themes, and no ads
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	Available only on iOS and Android Google Drive and Google Calendar are the main integrations Privacy positioning differs between local-first messaging and broader server language
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 →	Penso Notes is a mobile micro-journaling app built around Bullet Journal-style rapid logging. It suits journalers, creatives, professionals, students, and anyone who wants to capture thoughts, tasks, events, and media quickly. Users can… 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

• Penso Notes — where it wins

  • Rapid bullet-style logging with custom bullets and multiple diaries
  • Rich entries with photos, video, audio, drawings, stickers, and files
  • Free plan includes backups, PIN lock, themes, and no ads

  Where it doesn't

  • Available only on iOS and Android
  • Google Drive and Google Calendar are the main integrations
  • Privacy positioning differs between local-first messaging and broader server language

• Apple Journal9.0/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit Apple JournalFull verdict →
• Penso Notes7.8/10 · Free plan

  A free mobile journal for rapid bullet-style capture, attachments, and reminders.

  Visit Penso NotesFull verdict →