# Diarly: Diary, Private Journal — user reviews > 902 indexed App Store user reviews of Diarly by Krzysztof Nowak, rated 4.70/5 from 1,433 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/diarly-diary-private-journal/id1387167765/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/diarly-diary-private-journal/id1387167765.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 1,207 · 4★ 140 · 3★ 41 · 2★ 12 · 1★ 33 ## What do users think of Diarly? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - 🚀 Simple and intuitive interface - 🔒 Password protection and encryption - 👍 Customizable themes and fonts - 👍 Seamless syncing across devices - 👍 Helpful journaling prompts - 👍 Clean and organized layout **Cons** - 🐛 Occasional crashes and syncing issues - 🔒 Premium features require subscription - 👎 Limited options for image handling - 👎 Lack of ability to edit entry dates **Commonly reported bugs** - Entries disappearing after app updates - Inability to password protect individual journals **Most requested features** - Ability to add reminders and notifications - Option to organize entries into folders - Support for Markdown formatting and backlinking - Improved export and backup functionality ## Newest reviews (19 of 902) ### 4/5 — Almost Great *2026-08-13, version 3.5.9* Needs more work dealing with manipulation of images and videos. ### 4/5 — Formatting problems *2026-08-09, version 3.5.9* Hello, I am loving the most recent updates of Diarly and its interface with apple journal. It’s the feature I didn’t know I needed. I am writing to share an issue I’ve had for a couple of months. I use primarily the MacOS version 3.5.9. (The bug doesn’t occur in the iOS versions. ) I can no longer format text with italic or bold, either via inline commands, the Format dropdown menu, or by using the format bar that appears after I select the text. The underline and strikethrough formatting both work, however. Is this a known bug? I consider myself a power user, with almost 2,400 consecutive daily entries. It’s become a fixture of my bedtime routine and I rest more easily knowing I’ve emptied my brain of “stuff” i’ve been carrying around all day. ### 4/5 — Downgrading my rating *2026-08-08, version 3.5.9* Diarly just lost my data again. I set the laptop down, came back two hours later and half my activities for the day had disappeared. Things like this have been happening lately. It’s still a full-featured app that does everything, but it is no longer doing the most important thing—not losing my memories. Perhaps the dev should drop out of the features race and focus on reliability. ### 4/5 — いける *2026-07-16* デザインがよく、無料でも使える。続けられそうだ。日記に使うのには、あまりに日記ソフトは高いからだ。このアプリにも課金はあるが、必須ではないようだ。まだアプリの使い勝手に習熟しておらず、今後サブスクを切る必要はあるかも知れないが、マックはそのへんも簡便だ。 **Developer response:** そう言っていただけてうれしいです。ありがとうございます！ ### 5/5 — Xrixrox *2026-06-21, version 3.5.5* Simply the best ### 5/5 — Amazing app! Tho a small suggestion *2026-06-21* Truly my most favorite journal app. Though I do wish that whatever video I add to it, actually plays even if i delete them from my phone gallery. And please keep the lock option for not premium ones too **Developer response:** Thanks so much for the kind words! For videos, you can turn off image optimization in Diarly > Settings > Other Options so files are copied into the app, though this will use more storage. We’ll also consider your feedback about the lock option. ### 5/5 — Import *2026-06-19, version 3.5.3* The importing sucks and when I tried to import what I had on my MacBook it didn’t work the app have bugs if I could give it zero stars I would ### 5/5 — ATRF *2026-06-17, version 3.5.3* A OK ### 2/5 — Interface is a mess *2026-06-16, version 3.5.3* The interface has become an unfathomable, illogical, confusing mess. ### 5/5 — Helpful and amazing! *2026-06-16, version 3.5.3* A great app really helps me to focus on what I'm trying to say. I'm able to write and do more things in it than I ever thought possible, and I have had the longest habit of using this app for actually doing journaling. I'm so excited to keep going! ### 5/5 — Does a great job *2026-06-15, version 3.5.3* Simply does a great job. I switched from another journal app that just got more and more bloated. This one has all the features you need and at a good price. Yes it’s subscription but it is an app that syncs and I use just about every day. ### 5/5 — Excellent Journaling App *2026-06-14, version 3.5.3* With Day One’s massive price hike, I voted with my feet. I am so pleased to find Diarly. I love the clean simplicity of the app, the writing experience is beautiful. One of my favourite note taking app is Bear, this has a similar look and feel. The import from Day One is seamless, it does take a bit of time for the first sync, but after that it is very smooth indeed. I am using this on my iPad, iPhone and Mac and I am really loving it. ### 2/5 — Не знаю, продлять ли подписку… *2026-06-14* В последнее время расстраивает. Что-то странное происходит с интерфейсом. Я полюбил это приложение за его простоту, а теперь куча всего на экране: какие-то меню, статистика… Зачем оно мне нужно? Поищу аналог или уйду на Obsidian + Calendar plugin. **Developer response:** Жаль, что изменения разочаровали. Если хотите подробнее описать проблему, напишите на hello@diarly.app ### 5/5 — Love it, it is the best! *2026-06-12, version 3.5.3* Update on June 6, 2026: I have been using this app since 2020 and if I could give more than 5 stars I would surely do that, because this is by far THE BEST diary!!! In all these 6 years it has crashed just one time and they fixed it right away. I really love this app, it synchronizes on all my devices. I can find my notes very easily. And it never crashes. Keep up the good work!!! Update: after using this app for over 4 years, it is still The BEST!!!!! ### 3/5 — Interface has become a mess *2026-06-10, version 3.5.3* Inelegant interface is now just a disordered heap of stuff. Can hardly see tiny interface font. ### 5/5 — Great app! *2026-06-10, version 3.5.3* Wonderfull. My favorite way to end the day is to dump everything into an entry. I’ve been using the free version and getting along just fine ### 3/5 — 文字が一時的に表示されない *2026-06-06* リストなどを使うと入力中の文字が ・______ となり確定するまで表示されない。 これでモチベダダ下がりしてプレミアム解約したし、一向に直らない。 何とかして・・・ 追記 プロモコード等は不要です。 改善されることを期待します。 **Developer response:** ご報告ありがとうございます。問題はこちらでも確認済みで、修正に取り組んでいます! ### 5/5 — Love it. *2026-06-05, version 3.5.3* I use it for far more than just a journal for thoughts. ToDo/Done lists. Gives me a sense of accomplishment. I save social media finds just for the smile. Save pictures for the. ### 5/5 — I like it a lot *2026-06-04, version 3.5.3* So far so good. I recommend giving it a try. The only thing I would asked to be updated is the UI for fonts and grammatical things - a little hard to navigate on the computer side of things. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Айклауд платно *2026-08-04* Синхронизация мака и айфона только на платной основе. В МУСОРКУ приложение **Developer response:** Спасибо за отзыв. Синхронизация между Mac и iPhone у нас платная: это помогает небольшой команде поддерживать и развивать приложение. Вести дневник, добавлять медиа и пользоваться поиском можно бесплатно на каждом устройстве отдельно. ### 1/5 — Катастрофа! *2026-05-11* Пользовался приложением больше года, ещё с 2024 года. Все кайф, круто и прочее. Накопилось много важных записей. Использую почти каждый день!!! Но сегодня 10 мая 2026 года, приложение исчезло с моего телефона (такое вообще в первые). Разумеется недоумение и полное непонимание. Скачал заново и…. ПУСТО В поддержку на почту уже писал, та что указано в самом приложение. Пишу сюда, что бы увеличить скорость вашей реакции по сложившийся ситуации P.S. ситуация на -10 звезд, если ситуация решится и я верную все свои записи, коммент удалю **Developer response:** Нам очень жаль, что вы столкнулись с такой ситуацией — понимаем, насколько это неприятно, особенно когда в приложении хранились важные записи за долгий период 🙏 К сожалению, Diarly хранит данные только на устройстве пользователя и/или в iCloud. Мы не имеем доступа к вашим записям и не храним их на своих серверах. Если приложение было удалено, при этом резервное копирование или синхронизация через iCloud не были включены, восстановить данные, увы, невозможно. Мы уже думаем над тем, как сделать такие ситуации менее вероятными в будущем — например, добавить более заметные напоминания о необходимости резервного копирования или автоматические резервные копии через iCloud даже для бесплатной версии приложения. ### 1/5 — I Still Can’t Figure Out How to Use This *2026-05-04, version 3.5.1* Title says it all. ### 1/5 — Lost data during migration *2026-03-07, version 3.4.4* Where did all my entries go after migration? This app upgrade lost all my entries!! ### 1/5 — No use to me *2026-01-21, version 3.4.1* It does some basic messing about with your photo’s, caricatures mostly, but then you click on ‘save’ and they just disappear into the bowels of the computer somewhere. I never managed to retrieve them, so I’ve uninstalled it. ### 1/5 — Dil *2025-11-24, version 3.3.13* Dilini değiştiremiyorum ### 1/5 — Раніше було краще *2025-09-13, version 3.3.8* Як повернути старий дизайн? Мені не потрібні віддати і все ### 1/5 — Years of Data Gone *2025-07-17, version 3.3.6* After updating the app, it kept freezing, so I could not write any entries in it. I deleted and reinstalled the application, and all my data disappeared despite having backup on. I contacted the developer and was told I just turned the backup on, and there was nothing they could do, but they would offer me free premium if I contacted them when my subscription ends. ### 1/5 — Отстой *2025-07-07* Писала очень важную заметку, но она не сохранилась и исчезла. Нигде было её не найти. Ещё при удалении приложения все заметки удаляются **Developer response:** Нам очень жаль, что так произошло. Пожалуйста, напишите нам на hello@diarly.app — сделаем всё, что в наших силах, чтобы znaleźć причину и pomóc rozwiązać проблему. 🥺 ### 1/5 — Косячное *2025-06-18, version 3.3.3* Оформил подписку, включил синхронизацию в iCloud и что? Постоянно просит ввести пароль от шифрования записей в iCloud я конечно может чайник но не настолько пароль от iCloud, от зашифрованной копии айфона, не подходят, даже их подсказка. Запросил возврат средств. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Intuitive *2026-08-11, version 3.5.9* Great features, like adding a new entry to the same day you or on and keeping late night entries in the same day. Intuitive features. Active team adding updates and fixing bugs and are quick to respond. Rooting for yall!!! Thanks! ### 5/5 — Still the best for writing longer journals *2026-08-10, version 3.5.9* August 10, 2026 - recent changes which initially complicated starting to write each session have now been resolved: the developer is incredibly helpful and responsive. A request: would it be possible to introduce journal-specific encryption? For example: I'd like my personal and business to be encrypted but not the academic. Thanks. 1.viii.20 - Update to 5 stars. Below is my 4 star review from a while back. Since that time we have the pandemic and the need to concentrate resources in one place. So I started to use Diarly on my MacBook Pro and it seems to be even better on this machine. For writing and connecting it makes Day One look very amateurish. Thanks Krysztof! ------------------------------------ I do not often use this app as a personal diary - I keep that analogue for the most part - but as a non-fiction writer I find it indispensable as a logbook/journal for my various projects - with a separate Diarly Journal for each, with a default main Writing Overview (the renamed default Diary). What is really useful is that the availability of hashtag searching across all of the journals means that I can track smilar topicis and concepts in the different contexts. My entries in the journals are exploratory as much as simple records of what I've read and written - and generally run to about 750 - 1,000 words each time. This makes the new typewriter mode essential. It is not as flexible as in dedicated long-form writing software (Scrivener and the exemplary Ulysses) but it works very well to keep the focus on my large iMac screen. The newly expanded set of alternative UI themes are pretty good too! ### 5/5 — Love this! *2026-08-08, version 3.5.9* I’m in the genuine process of switching from Day One to this; love the multiple locations, and the fact that whenever I caption photos, the captions I add get sent to my entry (haven’t tried it with the gallery feature though), and I don’t have to waste part of my entry describing the photo for myself. So, thank you for keeping features that assist blind diarists keep the most complete records we can! I also love her the markdown support you have is real, and I can’t wait to try it on a Mac, too. Keep up the excellent work ### 5/5 — GREAT JOURNAL APP *2026-08-06, version 3.5.9* I NEVER submit reviews but this app is so good I have to! I've had so many journaling apps in the past and this one has been the best! It makes it feel as though it's your personal journal and not a legal document type with Times New Roman fonts. It's Cozy and easy to use. Most importantly very succure! ### 5/5 — Great Journal. *2026-08-01, version 3.5.8* This has everything you need and it is easy to do. ### 5/5 — Perfect app for journaling *2026-07-17* This is THE perfect app for journaling. It’s very customizable with themes and fonts. It has a photo calendar like Day One, but it looks better here. It has dots underneath the picture to show moods or number of entries. The tags are colourful and like bubbles. It is all very aesthetically pleasing. Also the developer is very responsive always making the app better. Keep up the good work! Beautiful app! **Developer response:** Thank you so much for the kind words and support. Reviews like this mean a lot to us, and we’ll keep working to make the app even better. ### 5/5 — Оплата *2026-07-15* Как оплатить из России? **Developer response:** Большое спасибо за отзыв и добрые слова! 😇 ### 5/5 — My journal *2026-07-07, version 3.5.6* after going through a tough time, i decided to start writing a jounal each day life isnt good all the time but its important to reflect i do this by re reading my input and its helping ### 5/5 — The Perfect Journal App! *2026-07-06, version 3.5.6* I love this app so much! There are so many types of journals that I work with. Sometimes from a book, sometimes a type of manifestation tool. Sometimes I just want to remember what vitamins to take all day. Whatever it is, this app allows me to create the perfect journal and then flow for the day, month, year, etc. It’s beautiful and easy to use. So good! ### 5/5 — Хорошее приложение для фрирайтинга *2026-06-22* Ранее пользовался Day one, чего-то не хватало и вот я здесь, спасибо большое разработчикам за простоту и удобство приложения! **Developer response:** Спасибо большое за отзыв! --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-29.*