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Head-to-head · Journal Apps

Apple Journal vs Stoic

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Apple Journal #4 in Journal Apps 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Apple Journal
Stoic #7 in Journal Apps 8.7/10 Free plan · 7-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 3 of 5 features Visit Stoic

Apple Journal leads on 0 checks, Stoic on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreApple Journal · 9.0/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly Stoic
  • Most featuresApple Journal · 4 of 5

Apple Journal scores higher on our rubric for journal apps: 9.0 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #7.

Apple Journal is the better fit for apple users wanting a polished free journal. Stoic is the better fit for guided reflection and mood tracking.

  • Apple Journal fits best

    Apple users wanting a polished free journal

  • Stoic fits best

    Guided reflection and mood tracking

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Side by side

Feature Apple Journal 9.0/10 Visit ↗ Stoic 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.7
Ranking #4 in Journal Apps #7 in Journal Apps
Best for Apple users wanting a polished free journal Guided reflection and mood tracking
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Free plan —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — 7 days
Deployment Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Mobile, Desktop
Platforms iOS, macOS Web, macOS, iOS, Android
Support Phone, Live chat, Docs Docs
Integrations 5 integrations 3 integrations
Built for Solo Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Apple Journal 4/5 · Stoic 3/5
Media attachments ✓ ✓
Offline access Not checked yet Not checked yet
Privacy lock ✓ ✓
End-to-end encryption ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Search and filters ✓ ✓
Specs
Export formats Multiple Multiple
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
  • Guided reflections, prompts, meditation, and breathing exercises
  • Mood and habit trends with search, filters, tags, and exports
  • Passcode, Face ID, and Touch ID protection for journal entries
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
  • iOS and Android experiences do not sync with each other
  • iCloud sync is limited to Apple devices
  • AI features require the Premium + AI plan
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 →

Stoic is a journaling and mental-wellness app for people who want structure around daily reflection. It combines morning and evening reflections with guided journals, daily prompts, mood and habit tracking, meditation, breathing exercises,…

Read the review →
  1. Apple JournalJournal Apps 9.0Free plan
  2. StoicJournal Apps 8.7Free plan · 7-day trial

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
  • Stoic — where it wins

    • Guided reflections, prompts, meditation, and breathing exercises
    • Mood and habit trends with search, filters, tags, and exports
    • Passcode, Face ID, and Touch ID protection for journal entries

    Where it doesn't

    • iOS and Android experiences do not sync with each other
    • iCloud sync is limited to Apple devices
    • AI features require the Premium + AI plan
  • Apple Journal9.0/10 · Free plan

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

    Visit Apple JournalFull verdict →
  • Stoic8.7/10 · Free plan · 7-day trial

    A guided journal with mood tracking, wellness exercises, and optional AI support.

    Visit StoicFull verdict →

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update