# ZenJournal: Minimalist Log — Locked Diary, Voice Log > Fast, simple, minimalist micro journal and notes app with timeline organization and privacy features. (iPhone/iPad app by Shaomeng Zhang.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zenjournal-minimalist-log/id1399816360 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Shaomeng Zhang](https://appshunter.io/developer/1399816359) - Category: Health & Fitness, Productivity - Price: Free with in-app purchases - Rating: 4.50/5 from 81 App Store ratings · 69 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 26.0 · 19 MB - Languages: American English, French (France), German (Germany), Japanese, Korean, Brazilian Portuguese, Chinese (Simplified, China), Mexican Spanish, Chinese (Traditional, Taiwan) - Released: 2018-08-08 - Data updated: 2026-09-07 - Monetization: freemium - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zenjournal-minimalist-log/id1399816360/reviews.md ## What is ZenJournal? ZenJournal is a fast, private journal built around calm, frictionless writing. Open the app and start logging. Speak it, type it, or snap it. Search with ?, organize with #hashtags, and switch between timelines for life, work, travel, ideas, or anything else you want to keep separate. ZenJournal keeps journaling simple: - Fast timeline-first writing - Voice logs with on-device transcription, so your audio never leaves your phone - Photos attached to any entry - Export in Paper, Ink, and Warm styles as an image, PDF, TextBundle, or text - Separate timelines for separate parts of your life - iCloud sync across your devices - Discreet Mode to blur your logs in public - Face ID and Touch ID lock - #hashtags and ? search built into the same input - Backup and restore - Dark mode and light mode support Use ZenJournal for stream-of-consciousness writing, morning pages, private notes, ideas, memories, travel logs, work reflections, or a calmer alternative to noisy feeds. ZenJournal is free to use, with unlimited logs and two timelines. Zen Pro adds photo and voice logs, on-device transcription, PDF and TextBundle export, and as many timelines as you need. Every plan starts with a 7-day free trial. Privacy Policy: https://thezenjournal.com/posts/privacy-policy Terms of Service: https://thezenjournal.com/posts/terms ## Key features - Unified timeline interface - Discreet Mode for public use - TouchID/FaceID lock - Hashtag organization - Quick search and filter - Backup and restore - Dark/Light mode ## Pricing and in-app purchases Base price: Free. **Subscriptions** | Subscription | Price | Period | | --- | --- | --- | | Zen Pro Annual | $9.99 | per year | | Zen Pro Weekly | $1.99 | per 7 days | | Zen Pro | $2.49 | per 3 months | **One-time purchases** | Purchase | Price | Type | | --- | --- | --- | | Zen Lifetime | $99.99 | one-time | ## What do users think of ZenJournal? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - 👍 Simplicity and ease of use - 🚀 Fast and quick to open - 💡 Minimalist design - 📝 Great for jotting down notes - 💡 Great for brain dumps and idea capture - 💡 Streamlined and distraction-free writing - 💡 Hashtag feature for organization - 🔒 Double-tap to hide timeline for privacy - 💡 Chat/Twitter-like layout - 💡 Local storage, no cloud required - 💡 Beautiful aesthetics - 💡 Responsive developer **Cons** - 🐛 Data loss after update - 🐛 App crashes when adding pictures - 🐛 Dark mode issues (resets to light mode) - 🐛 Lock feature not working - 🐛 Long entries not fitting on screen - 🐛 Text box made for shorter entries - 🐛 No auto-save feature - 🐛 Subscription model not preferred by some - 🐛 Difficulty with daylight savings time - 🐛 Support only via X (Twitter) - 🐛 Limited features in free version - 🐛 No edit option for past entries **Commonly reported bugs** - Lost all writing after update - App crashes when adding pictures - Dark mode resets to light mode - Lock feature not working - Long entries not fitting on screen - Text box made for shorter entries - No auto-save feature - Difficulty with daylight savings time - Support only via X (Twitter) - Limited features in free version - No edit option for past entries - UI errors with long entries - Not showing date of entry **Most requested features** - Ability to edit past entries - Sync between devices (iPad and iPhone) - Export by hashtag - Per-entry word count - Basic formatting (italics, bold) - Search by date - Desktop app - Auto-backup - Prompt function with push notifications - Option to remove logo on entry screen - Ability to write higher up (for Apple Pencil) - One-time payment option - Ability to reply to previous thoughts - Display photos in discreet mode as gray blocks - Auto-spacing between entries - European time format - Option to select another font - Strike-through option - Ability to increase UI Elements and Text size - Focus mode or visual separation of current entry - Opening app without showing previous entries (swipe down to see timeline) - Add tags to comments after hitting enter - Option to set add entry using return key - Customization options (background color, font style) - Larger font size setting - Star entries and filter by starred entries - Add photos to entries - Ability to choose date and time for an entry - Basic formatting (italics, bold) - Search by date - Desktop app - Auto-backup - Prompt function with push notifications - Option to remove logo on entry screen - Ability to write higher up (for Apple Pencil) - One-time payment option - Ability to reply to previous thoughts - Display photos in discreet mode as gray blocks - Auto-spacing between entries - European time format - Option to select another font - Strike-through option - Ability to increase UI Elements and Text size - Focus mode or visual separation of current entry - Opening app without showing previous entries (swipe down to see timeline) - Add tags to comments after hitting enter - Option to set add entry using return key - Customization options (background color, font style) - Larger font size setting - Star entries and filter by starred entries - Add photos to entries - Ability to choose date and time for an entry ## Recent user reviews (10 of 69) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zenjournal-minimalist-log/id1399816360/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Great app for simple note taking *2026-05-14, version 5.2.0* Great app, like how simple it is for just jotting down notes. I previously rated 3/5 because of no edit and light mode issues but those are fixed in the latest update. ### 4/5 — Very cool!.. but right off the bat I noticed an issue. *2026-05-11* Hi! I’m writing this review to say that I think this app is very cool. I found it being talked about on Reddit when looking for a Social media type journaling app. If you’re also looking for the same thing, I 100% recommend this app. In fact, I look forward to when I’m able to afford the premium (which you don’t really need to use the app, a for sure positive.) However, as the title states, there was a feature I noticed was immediately missing.. editing. When you send a “message” so to speak, there is no way to edit it after. I’m glad you can copy and delete them, but being able to edit said “messages” after sending is very vital. I hope to developer adds this at some point, or at least adds it to the list after seeing this review! Thanks for reading, Em 🩷 **Developer response:** Your wish has been granted. Edit feature finally available. Thank you for your review! ### 2/5 — Lost all my writing *2026-05-10, version 5.1.0* I wrote to my son on this app for months now and it’s all gone since update. My son died from cot death and I was told it helps to write and now I’ve lost it all. ### 2/5 — Good but needs work *2025-04-18, version 3.6.1* Firstly I tried to contact Support and the only option that is provided is using X and that’s just not okay as a lot of us might not use that app so maybe they will see my feedback here? Difficult to use, lack of features on the free version. I only used a few times then deleted and went elsewhere Do not recommend ### 4/5 — Is there a synch feature? *2025-03-26* Just started using the app and so far I'm enjoying the simplicity. I also use Workflowy for a more "outline" structure with indented tabs, etc. But I like the single time line with this app, it's great for mind dumps and idea captures. My only concern: can I synch between my iPad and iPhone? So far it looks like I can only use it separately on each device. I'm constantly bouncing between the two and would like to capture and combine notes from both. Is this a current feature or maybe something that might happen in the future? **Developer response:** Hi thanks for your positive review. Yes I will be working on an Apple exclusive version that will have iCloud sync. But don’t hold your breath as I may introduce a quick merge feature first before that’s available. So you can merge between your separate journals across devices first. Hi! Our sync feature is now available! Thanks for the request! ### 5/5 — Perfect for journaling *2025-01-17* I used to write everything in the Apple Notes app, but found it to be sort of tedious. This app is extremely straightforward. It makes writing easy. Well done! ### 3/5 — Good but needs work *2025-01-12, version 3.6.1* Firstly I tried to contact Support and the only option that is provided is using X and that’s just not okay as a lot of us might not use that app so maybe they will see my feedback here? I can’t figure out how to do more than one post a day . How do you edit a post? I’m on iOS latest version on iPad by the way. And looks like you can only put one photo with a post. It really is extremely basic which I don’t mind and I’m on the three month trial and then I will revert to because I don’t want to pay for something that really doesn’t offer anything extra with the pro option. I don’t know if this is just a glitch with the iOS version and not to do with the app provider but it is frustrating not being able to edit your journal entries. ### 5/5 — Great app! *2025-01-09* I’ll be using this app for a bit, I like having one unified space for my brain vomit and being able to tag it logs with things like #thankful or #remember or #todo to quickly recall them later if the timeline gets filled. I also love that you can double-tap to hide the entire timeline except what you’re currently writing for privacy if you’re in public. I do wish that there was some sort of auto-spacing between entries; right now I’m adding a break after every log to get around this but sometimes I forget and my entries end up all clumped together when they shouldn’t be, because the option to edit also seems to be missing (unless I’m missing it). Update: updating my review because I’ve been using this app for three days and I completely understand the spacing now. My thoughts are grouped by time of day and spaced sort of like discord; if enough time has passed a new timestamp will create a line break. I know the editing feature is coming so I’ll proactively add a star for that lol **Developer response:** Thanks for the review! Yes I use the manual spacing occasionally as well. I didn’t add different block spacing because I want to keep the blocks flowing as sometimes a session can last for a few blocks. I’ll prioritize the editing feature. 🙏 Update: thanks for the added one star. Happy new year! ### 4/5 — Great app! *2025-01-07* I’ll be using this app for a bit, I like having one unified space for my brain vomit and being able to tag it logs with things like #thankful or #remember or #todo to quickly recall them later if the timeline gets filled. I also love that you can double-tap to hide the entire timeline except what you’re currently writing for privacy if you’re in public. I do wish that there was some sort of auto-spacing between entries; right now I’m adding a break after every log to get around this but sometimes I forget and my entries end up all clumped together when they shouldn’t be, because the option to edit also seems to be missing (unless I’m missing it). **Developer response:** Thanks for the review! Yes I use the manual spacing occasionally as well. I didn’t add different block spacing because I want to keep the blocks flowing as sometimes a session can last for a few blocks. I’ll prioritize the editing feature. 🙏 ### 3/5 — Great app, but no way to edit *2024-10-03, version 3.6.1* Great app, would be nice if there was the ability to edit the content and time of past messages. Also having issues with dark mode - the app resets to light mode every time I open it, even if the toggle in settings is set to dark mode. ## Frequently asked questions about ZenJournal ### What is ZenJournal? ZenJournal is a minimalist journaling app designed for fast and simple logging of thoughts, ideas, and memories. It unifies all your entries, hashtags, and searches into a single timeline interface for quick access and reflection. ### What are the key features of ZenJournal? Key features include a unified timeline, a 'Discreet Mode' for public journaling, TouchID/FaceID for security, hashtag organization, quick search functionality, backup and restore, and customizable dark/light modes. ### How much does ZenJournal cost? ZenJournal is free to use with unlimited logs. For additional features like a font picker, users can subscribe to Zen Pro. This freemium model allows basic usage for free while offering enhanced options through a subscription. ### Can I use ZenJournal on multiple devices? The app description mentions backup and restore functionality, which implies that you can save your journal entries and potentially restore them on other devices. This allows for data portability and continuity across your devices. ### What are some common use cases for ZenJournal? ZenJournal is ideal for journaling anywhere, even in public, thanks to its Discreet Mode. It can help users shield themselves from social media stress, cure fatigue with stress-free micro journaling, find inner peace, build self-awareness, and log random ideas or stream-of-consciousness writing. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 5.4.0 — 2026-09-04 Voice logs, an activity chart, home screen widgets, and a real editor for your timelines. Talk instead of typing - Record a voice log right in the input, without leaving your timeline. Scrub the waveform, pause and resume mid-thought, or discard and start over. - Transcription happens on device, in the language you actually speak, and the words land in your timeline the moment you stop. The audio never leaves your iPhone. - Copy the transcript from any recording. See every day you showed up - Swipe up from the input for a chart of your activity. Not a streak counter, just the shape of your months. - Put the Activity widget on your home screen, small or medium. Tap a day and the app opens right there. - With Lock Mode on, the widget stays put and shows the shape without a single word. Timeline Garden - Your timelines are now a tree you can tend. Drag a bubble onto another to nest it, tap to rename, reorder, or remove. Entries in a removed timeline are kept and stay searchable in All. Also new - A share extension: send text, links, or photos from any app straight into a timeline. - New photo and camera cards for attaching images. - Journal reminders as real notifications, with the frequency set in Settings. - A guided first run that lets you try each feature instead of reading about it. Replay it any time from Settings. - Discreet Mode keeps dates and times readable so you can still find your way around, and Copy and Share ask you to unlock first when Lock Mode is on. - Haptics across capture, save, and selection. Zen Pro has new pricing, and every plan now starts with a 7-day free trial. If you already subscribe, your price stays exactly as it was. ### 5.3.0 — 2026-06-06 Timeline export is here. You can now turn a day, session, or single entry into something polished enough to save, send, print, or keep outside the app. New in this version: - Export timeline moments in three styles: Paper, Ink, and Warm. - Share as a beautiful image for quick sending. - Export as PDF for archiving or printing. - Export as TextBundle to keep Markdown and attached images together. - Copy or share text with image-aware rich formatting when your logs include photos. Also included from recent V5 updates: iCloud sync, multiple timelines, the refreshed Liquid Glass interface, broader localization coverage, and editable logs for the typo that refuses to let anyone achieve inner peace. ### 5.2.0 — 2026-05-14 New: you can finally edit a log. Normally, ZenJournal does not encourage tampering with history. Logs are time's fingerprints: little artifacts of who you were when you wrote them. But there are perfectionists among us who simply cannot achieve inner peace while a typo sits there blinking at them. This one's for you. Also included from the recent V5 updates: - New localization coverage for German, English, Spanish (Mexico), French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese. - iCloud sync, multiple timelines, and a refreshed Liquid Glass interface for keeping different parts of life separate and synced across devices. ### 5.1.0 — 2026-05-08 This is the biggest update since the launch of ZenJournal: ZenJournal V5. We introduced iCloud sync, multiple timelines, and a refreshed Liquid Glass UI. You can now keep different parts of your life in separate timelines, switch between them quickly, and keep your journal synced across devices. - New localization coverage for German, English, Spanish (Mexico), French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese. ### 5.0.1 — 2026-05-05 This is the biggest update since the launch of ZenJournal: ZenJournal V5. We introduced iCloud sync, multiple timelines, and a refreshed Liquid Glass UI. You can now keep different parts of your life in separate timelines, switch between them quickly, and keep your journal synced across devices. ## Apps similar to ZenJournal | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Day One: Daily Journal & Diary](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/day-one-daily-journal-and-diary/id1044867788) | 4.8 (117,931) | Free | Health & Fitness | | [Diarly: Diary, Private Journal](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/diarly-diary-private-journal/id1387167765) | 4.7 (1,437) | Free | Health & Fitness | | [5 Minute Journal・Daily Diary](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/5-minute-journaldaily-diary/id1062945251) | 4.8 (17,529) | Free | Health & Fitness | | [Digital Journal Diary](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/digital-journal-diary/id1520435704) | 4.6 (6,518) | Free | Health & Fitness | | [Clearful - Journal & Diary](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/clearful-journal-and-diary/id1513257639) | 4.8 (2,992) | Free | Health & Fitness | | [Orca - Gratitude Journal](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/orca-gratitude-journal/id707073943) | 4.8 (4,050) | Free | Health & Fitness | ## More apps by Shaomeng Zhang - [ZenShelf](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zenshelf/id6670147622) - [Bookmark App: DoubleMemory](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bookmark-app-doublememory/id6737529034) - [Screenshot Editor - SnaPOP](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/screenshot-editor-snapop/id6756635978) - [ZenMinder](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zenminder/id6777560654) - [ZenAlarm: Calendar Alarms](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zenalarm-calendar-alarms/id6801329394) All apps by Shaomeng Zhang: https://appshunter.io/developer/1399816359 ## Related topics [diario escribe](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/diario-escribe) --- *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 2026-09-07.*