# Zero vs Grid Diary

The clearest difference is monetization model: Zero at free with in-app purchases against Grid Diary's subscription. Zero also leads on review sentiment (81% vs 48%) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 26.0). Grid Diary's advantage is ratings volume (963 vs 32). On price, rating, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Zero sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Grid Diary sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for Zero against 4.6 for Grid Diary. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Grid Diary has 963 ratings behind it against 32, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 81% of Zero's written reviews are positive against 48% of Grid Diary's.

Zero ships an update every 8 days, Grid Diary every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on November 2, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Zero | Grid Diary |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.5 (32 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zero-a-pure-design-journal-and-note/id1088721484/reviews) | **[4.6 (963 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/grid-diary-journal-planner/id1392523148/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 32 | **963** |
| Positive reviews | **81.3% of reviews** | 48.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 8 days** | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Size | 27 MB | 80 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 26.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [素琼 曹](https://appshunter.io/developer/1212815207) | [Sumi Interactive](https://appshunter.io/developer/597077264) |

## What reviewers say

### Zero

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zero-a-pure-design-journal-and-note/id1088721484)

This app offers a minimalist journaling experience with features like a timeline view, photo wall, and secure password protection. Customize your journal with various themes and font sizes, and set reminders to ensure you never miss an entry. VIP features include photo backup and export options.

**Highlights:** Timeline journal view, Photo wall display, Fingerprint & passcode lock, Customizable font size, Multiple theme options, Journaling reminders, Keyword search

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| VIP/Half a year | $0.99 | one-time |


### Grid Diary

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/grid-diary-journal-planner/id1392523148)

This app offers a guided journaling experience to foster personal development and mindfulness. It helps users build positive habits, manage stress, and enhance various aspects of their lives through customizable prompts and unique layouts.

**Highlights:** Prompted journaling with custom questions, Unique grid and mandala layouts, Daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly planning, Supports various journaling methods, Mindfulness and self-care focus, Stress and anxiety alleviation techniques

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| Annual | $29.99 | per year |
| Annual | $29.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🌟 Excellent journaling app
- 📚 Customizable templates and prompts
- 🧠 Helps with self-reflection and mental health
- 🗓️ Organized grid layout
- 🔍 Useful search and timeline features

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Sync issues and data loss
- 💰 Expensive subscription model
- 🔒 Lack of account deletion or data export options
- 🤔 Confusing onboarding and upgrade process
- 🕰️ Slow loading times and app freezes

**Reported bugs**

- Entries disappearing or not syncing properly
- Password reset functionality not working
- Subscription issues and inability to access premium features
- Compatibility problems with newer iOS versions

**Requested features**

- Add Apple Pencil support
- Improve sync reliability across devices
- Provide more customization options for layouts and fonts
- Integrate with other productivity apps and calendars
- Implement a one-time purchase option


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Zero free?

Zero is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Grid Diary free?

Grid Diary is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Zero or Grid Diary?

Grid Diary is rated higher. Zero averages 4.5 out of 5 from 32 ratings, while Grid Diary averages 4.6 from 963 ratings.

### Do Zero or Grid Diary have ads?

Neither Zero nor Grid Diary shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Zero or Grid Diary?

Zero ships an update every 8 days, and Grid Diary every 2 weeks. Most recently, Zero was updated on November 2, 2026 and Grid Diary on November 2, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*