Cozy review
A flexible offline journal for users who want their entries stored as local Markdown files.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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 having dated entries, rich media, tags, moods, locations, trackers, search, and multiple ways to browse their writing. Offline access and writing support a journal workflow that does not depend on a constant connection.
Pricing is straightforward but entirely paid. The $35 Cozy desktop license includes the macOS and Windows apps, the iPhone and iPad app, and one year of updates. An optional updates renewal costs $17 one time for another year, while the existing version continues working without renewal. The iPhone and iPad app can also be purchased separately for $19.99 one time, although that price and the app’s status are described as beta or App Store-transition pricing. There is no free plan, so users need to commit before evaluating the full desktop experience.
Its strongest fit is for a local-file workflow with broad journaling features rather than for a tightly managed, privacy-locked vault. Entries can be synchronized through iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, or Syncthing, and Cozy supports imports from Day One, Obsidian, Bear, and Notion. Photo, video, and audio attachments, calendar and map views, custom trackers, focus writing, and ambient sound options add breadth beyond basic text notes. Users who want plain Markdown, offline access, and flexible folder synchronization should consider Cozy; those prioritizing verified privacy locking or a free entry tier should choose another journal app.
Cozy pros and cons
- 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
Cozy fact sheet, pricing and score →
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