Best apps like PenCake: Minimal Writing App

37+ similar apps compared and reviewed

4.7 avg rating
10 free apps
Updated August 2026

PenCake is great, but it's not the only option. Explore 37+ similar apps for iPhone and iPad, each reviewed and rated by real users. Find free alternatives, premium upgrades, and hidden gems.

Top Alternatives to PenCake

My Diary - Journal with Lock#1

My Diary - Journal with Lock by BetterApp Tech Co., Limited

Journaling Diary with password
Editor's Choice
๐ŸŒŸ Lifestyle
4.7๐Ÿ˜Š(28K ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
My Diary - Journal with Lock screenshot 1
My Diary - Journal with Lock screenshot 2
My Diary - Journal with Lock screenshot 3
My Diary - Journal with Lock screenshot 4
My Diary - Journal with Lock screenshot 5
My Diary - Journal with Lock screenshot 6

This app offers a secure and personalized digital journal for recording daily thoughts, memories, and emotions. Enhance entries with photos, themes, and mood tracking. It's designed to support mental well-being by providing a private space for self-reflection and emotional processing.

What We Love

  • ๐Ÿ”’ Secure with password, fingerprint, and security question options
  • ๐Ÿ“ Easy to write and express thoughts
  • ๐ŸŽจ Customizable with themes, stickers, and photos
  • ๐Ÿ—“๏ธ Helpful for tracking moods and daily activities

Room to Improve

  • ๐Ÿ’ฐ Many features locked behind premium paywall
  • ๐Ÿ” Limited free theme and sticker options
  • ๐Ÿ› Issues with formatting, text editing, and photo placement
Diary, Journal, Notes - Diaro#2

Diary, Journal, Notes - Diaro by Abhishek Kumar

Your Personal & Secure Diary
Strong Contender
๐ŸŒŸ Lifestyle
4.7๐Ÿ˜(4.5K ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
Diary, Journal, Notes - Diaro screenshot 1
Diary, Journal, Notes - Diaro screenshot 2
Diary, Journal, Notes - Diaro screenshot 3
Diary, Journal, Notes - Diaro screenshot 4
Diary, Journal, Notes - Diaro screenshot 5

Record daily activities, thoughts, and memories securely. Organize entries with tags, locations, and folders. Sync across devices and export your data easily. Features include mood tracking, photo attachments, and a calendar view.

What We Love

  • ๐Ÿ‘ Consistent for years
  • ๐Ÿš€ Excellent app
  • ๐Ÿš€ Great app and great support
  • ๐Ÿ‘ Love this app

Room to Improve

  • ๐Ÿ› Suddenly become useless
  • ๐Ÿ› Terrible app
  • ๐Ÿ› Doesn't work anymore
Simple Diary - Daily Journal#3

Simple Diary - Daily Journal by Komorebi Inc.

Simple photo journal with lock
Worth Considering
๐ŸŒŸ Lifestyle
4.7๐Ÿ˜Š(907 ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
Simple Diary - Daily Journal screenshot 1
Simple Diary - Daily Journal screenshot 2
Simple Diary - Daily Journal screenshot 3
Simple Diary - Daily Journal screenshot 4
Simple Diary - Daily Journal screenshot 5

This app provides a simple and convenient way to journal your thoughts and experiences. It allows you to add images, secure your entries with a passcode, and customize the app's appearance. Data backup and search functions ensure your memories are safe and easily accessible.

What We Love

  • ๐Ÿ‘ Simple and easy to use
  • ๐Ÿ“ท Ability to add photos
  • ๐Ÿ”’ Password protection
  • ๐Ÿ—“๏ธ Organized by calendar view

Room to Improve

  • ๐Ÿ› Occasional crashes or freezes
  • ๐Ÿ“ Limited photo upload capacity
  • ๐Ÿ’ฐ Paywall for some features

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4
Prompted Journal - Shadow Work
Prompted Journal - Shadow Work
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This app provides a guided journaling experience with over 190 prompts and "Dive Deeper" questions to encourage self-reflection and personal growth. It helps users establish a consistent self-care routine through daily reminders and offers privacy with no data storage required.

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This app offers a simple and beautiful way to journal your daily experiences. Easily record thoughts, emotions, and memories with text or photos, making each day feel meaningful. Customize your entries with backgrounds, fonts, and tags.

Decorate cards with photos or colorsRecord multiple diaries per dayCalendar view
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Daily Journal: Diary with Lock
Daily Journal: Diary with Lock
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Your Private Secret Journaling
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This app serves as a private digital journal to record daily experiences, emotions, and memories. Secure your entries with password, fingerprint, or face ID, and enhance them with photos. Track your moods and use built-in reminders to cultivate a consistent journaling habit.

Password, fingerprint, and face ID securityAdd photos to journal entriesMood and emotion tracking
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Journey - Diary, Journal
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This app helps you capture memories, express yourself through writing, and track your emotions. It offers tools for creating rich journal entries, collaborative journaling, and secure storage. Enhance your experience with templates, plugins, and reminders for a more mindful and organized life.

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DailyBean - simplest journal
DailyBean - simplest journal
DailyBean - simplest journal
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This app provides a simple and enjoyable way to log daily experiences and moods. Customize your journal with themes and icons, and gain insights into your patterns with analysis reports. Easily integrate health data and special moments.

Record in secondsFully customizable icons and blocksDecorate with themes
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Daylio Journal - Mood Tracker
Daylio Journal - Mood Tracker
Daylio Journal - Mood Tracker
Private Diary, Health, Habits
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This app helps you track your moods and activities to understand your well-being. It offers a private micro-diary experience without requiring extensive typing, allowing you to identify happiness triggers and build positive habits.

Mood tracking with icons and emojisActivity loggingPrivate journaling without typing
๐ŸŒŸ Lifestyle
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My Daily Diary โ€Ž
My Daily Diary โ€Ž
My Daily Diary โ€Ž
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This app offers a private and flexible journaling experience. Track your mood, dreams, or experiences with customizable entries. Secure your thoughts with a built-in lock system for ultimate privacy.

Private journalingMood trackingCustomizable entries
๐ŸŒŸ Lifestyle
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