Day One vs Diarly

Day One9.4Visit Diarly8.9Visit

Higher score Day One #1 in Journal Apps 9.4/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Day One

vs

Diarly #5 in Journal Apps 8.9/10 Free plan · 7-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Diarly

• Day One fits best

  Most people wanting a full-featured journal

• Diarly fits best

  Privacy-focused Apple and mobile journaling

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Side by side

Feature	Day One 9.4/10 Visit ↗	Diarly 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	8.9
Ranking	#1 in Journal Apps	#5 in Journal Apps
Best for	Most people wanting a full-featured journal	Privacy-focused Apple and mobile journaling
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	$49.99/yr	—
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	30 days	7 days
Free trial length	30 days	7 days
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Chrome extension	macOS, iOS, Android
Support	Email, Community, Docs	Email, Docs
Integrations	3 integrations	5 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business
Features Day One 5/5 · Diarly 5/5
Media attachments	✓	✓
Offline access	✓	✓
Privacy lock	✓	✓
End-to-end encryption	✓	✓
Search and filters	✓	✓
Specs
Export formats	Multiple	Multiple
Platform coverage	All	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	End-to-end encryption, passcode protection, and biometric lock Works across web, desktop, mobile, and browser extensions Supports rich media, offline editing, search, filters, and exports	Offline editing with iCloud sync across Apple devices Rich attachments, Markdown, search, tags, and multiple views Password protection, biometric unlocking, and encryption options
Cons	Cross-device journaling is limited to the Silver plan and above Unlimited photos and videos require a paid plan AI reflection tools are limited to the Gold plan	Pricing varies by region, complicating direct cost comparison Advanced AI capabilities are separated into the Monthly AI+ plan Apple-centered features may suit Apple users better than Android-first users
Our verdict	Day One is a digital journaling app for recording thoughts, memories, and daily experiences. It supports text entries alongside photos, video, audio, drawings, documents, location context, prompts, reminders, and streaks. Its platform… Read the review →	Diarly is a digital journal and diary app from PureForm Studio for people who want private, structured journaling across Apple devices and mobile platforms. It supports daily entries and notes, Markdown editing, mood tracking, reminders,… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Day One — where it wins

  • End-to-end encryption, passcode protection, and biometric lock
  • Works across web, desktop, mobile, and browser extensions
  • Supports rich media, offline editing, search, filters, and exports

  Where it doesn't

  • Cross-device journaling is limited to the Silver plan and above
  • Unlimited photos and videos require a paid plan
  • AI reflection tools are limited to the Gold plan

• Diarly — where it wins

  • Offline editing with iCloud sync across Apple devices
  • Rich attachments, Markdown, search, tags, and multiple views
  • Password protection, biometric unlocking, and encryption options

  Where it doesn't

  • Pricing varies by region, complicating direct cost comparison
  • Advanced AI capabilities are separated into the Monthly AI+ plan
  • Apple-centered features may suit Apple users better than Android-first users

• Day One9.4/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

  A broad, privacy-focused journal with a strong free tier and richer paid features.

  Visit Day OneFull verdict →
• Diarly8.9/10 · Free plan · 7-day trial

  A privacy-focused journal with rich media, offline editing, and strong Apple integration.

  Visit DiarlyFull verdict →