I used DayOne for YEARS - this is BETTER!
As good DayOne is, it still has issues, I lost files many times and they recommend that I back up their database - just in case. Really have no time for that. Add problems with location entry and a video size limit led me to I was shopping around. I found this app in the wonderful cornucopia that came with my SetApp subscription (free promotion).
This is probably the 5th time I’m importing my DayOne entries; I got fed up and deleted this app each time. Too many niggling issues; I should also add that I tried the others, including Journey - paid for it and got rid of it. No that I’m back checking out Diary, it has improved A LOT.
GOOD
1. Excellent handling of tags - colour coding = nice touch
2. Exceptionally well organised
3. Now adds the option hide markdown tags 👍🏽
4. Filtering is top-notch = by mood, attachment type
5. Imports calendar events = nice
6. Remarkable ability to determine how you want the app to look
BAD
1. Synchronisation problems persist - I still can’t get it to work correctly across my devices
2. Adding locations is still rather iffy
3. Weird an inconsistent way to group photos (I don’t know when it will work ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ )
4. Last time it sucked so much memory, may Mac ran out, and I had to force-quit it
It is a much more mature and dependable app compared to the last time I tried it!
All said this is a class act! My main complaint is the synchronisation issues. If that is resolved, it definitely beats DayOne- right now, I have a journal I can’t delete and I can’t remove it as my default journal either ٩(͡๏̯͡๏)۶
All things considered - I’d get rid of DayOne in a heartbeat if I can get my issues resolved. As it stands - 4 stars; support - your serve!
This is probably the 5th time I’m importing my DayOne entries; I got fed up and deleted this app each time. Too many niggling issues; I should also add that I tried the others, including Journey - paid for it and got rid of it. No that I’m back checking out Diary, it has improved A LOT.
GOOD
1. Excellent handling of tags - colour coding = nice touch
2. Exceptionally well organised
3. Now adds the option hide markdown tags 👍🏽
4. Filtering is top-notch = by mood, attachment type
5. Imports calendar events = nice
6. Remarkable ability to determine how you want the app to look
BAD
1. Synchronisation problems persist - I still can’t get it to work correctly across my devices
2. Adding locations is still rather iffy
3. Weird an inconsistent way to group photos (I don’t know when it will work ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ )
4. Last time it sucked so much memory, may Mac ran out, and I had to force-quit it
It is a much more mature and dependable app compared to the last time I tried it!
All said this is a class act! My main complaint is the synchronisation issues. If that is resolved, it definitely beats DayOne- right now, I have a journal I can’t delete and I can’t remove it as my default journal either ٩(͡๏̯͡๏)۶
All things considered - I’d get rid of DayOne in a heartbeat if I can get my issues resolved. As it stands - 4 stars; support - your serve!
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Response from developer
Thanks for such a detailed review! Sorry you’re still running into sync issues. Please contact us through Settings → Contact Support or at hello@drialy.app so we can take a closer look at the sync and journal issues.
Almost Great
Needs more work dealing with manipulation of images and videos.
Intuitive
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!
Still the best for writing longer journals
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!
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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!
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!
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Formatting problems
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.
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.
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