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Head-to-head · Journal Apps

Diarly vs Cozy

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Diarly #5 in Journal Apps 8.9/10 Free plan · 7-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Diarly
Cozy #8 in Journal Apps 8.6/10 Paid ✓ 3 of 5 features Visit Cozy

Diarly leads on 2 checks, Cozy on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreDiarly · 8.9/10
  • Free planonly Diarly
  • Free trialonly Diarly
  • Most featuresDiarly · 5 of 5

Diarly scores higher on our rubric for journal apps: 8.9 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #8.

Diarly offers free plan; Cozy doesn't. Diarly offers end-to-end encryption; Cozy doesn't. On export formats, Diarly gives you Multiple where Cozy offers Basic.

Diarly is the better fit for privacy-focused Apple and mobile journaling. Cozy is the better fit for local Markdown journaling with offline control.

  • Diarly fits best

    Privacy-focused Apple and mobile journaling

  • Cozy fits best

    Local Markdown journaling with offline control

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 Diarly 8.9/10 Visit ↗ Cozy 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 8.6
Ranking #5 in Journal Apps #8 in Journal Apps
Best for Privacy-focused Apple and mobile journaling Local Markdown journaling with offline control
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price — $19.99 one-time
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial 7 days —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile Desktop, Mobile
Platforms macOS, iOS, Android Windows, macOS, iOS
Support Email, Docs Email, Docs
Integrations 5 integrations 7 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features Diarly 5/5 · Cozy 3/5
Media attachments ✓ ✓
Offline access ✓ ✓
Privacy lock ✓ (best) Not checked yet
End-to-end encryption ✓ (best) —
Search and filters ✓ ✓
Specs
Export formats Multiple Basic
Platform coverage Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Offline editing with iCloud sync across Apple devices
  • Rich attachments, Markdown, search, tags, and multiple views
  • Password protection, biometric unlocking, and encryption options
  • Stores entries as plain Markdown files in a folder you choose
  • Supports media, trackers, calendar and map views, search, and filters
  • Works offline and connects with major folder-sync services
Cons
  • 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
  • No free plan; the desktop license costs $35 one time
  • Privacy locking and end-to-end encryption are not part of its positioning
  • Some mobile pricing and availability are described as beta or transition pricing
Our verdict

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 →

Cozy is a journal app for macOS, Windows, iPhone, and iPad that stores entries as plain Markdown files in a user-selected folder instead of on Cozy’s servers. It is aimed at people who want local control over their journal while still…

Read the review →
  1. DiarlyJournal Apps 8.9Free plan · 7-day trial
  2. CozyJournal Apps 8.6Paid

Strengths and trade-offs

  • 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

  • Cozy — where it wins

    • Stores entries as plain Markdown files in a folder you choose
    • Supports media, trackers, calendar and map views, search, and filters
    • Works offline and connects with major folder-sync services

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan; the desktop license costs $35 one time
    • Privacy locking and end-to-end encryption are not part of its positioning
    • Some mobile pricing and availability are described as beta or transition pricing
  • Diarly8.9/10 · Free plan · 7-day trial

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

    Visit DiarlyFull verdict →
  • Cozy8.6/10 · Paid

    A flexible offline journal for users who want their entries stored as local Markdown files.

    Visit CozyFull verdict →

More comparisons

All journal apps comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update