Comparison

HiGrade vs Cannabis Journal

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

HiGrade

Instantly test cannabis flower quality and %THC using just your phone camera. Get insights into plant health, detect pests and mold, and receive personalized growing advice. Ideal for consumers and professional growers alike.

Highlights
  • Instant %THC testing
  • Cannabis quality analysis
  • Pest and mold detection
  • Personalized growing advice
  • Nutrient balancing
  • Optimal harvest timing
Features
Read full description

Instantly test the quality of your cannabis flowers straight from your phone. Three photos are all you need to get a real insight into the health and quality of your bud. No lab equipment is necessary! Analyze your plant’s quality and %THC by harnessing the power of artificial intelligence and HiGrade’s proprietary testing algorithms. Turn your camera phone into an accurate, portable testing station so you can better understand the product in front of you. For the personal consumer: By understanding exactly what the levels of active compounds are in each plant, you are empowered to take control of your medication and monitor your personal dosage. Be confident that your weed is free of harmful pests and mold and of the highest quality. For the professional grower: HiGrade PRO is the ultimate on-the-go lab and cultivation center. Turn into a master grower with personalized cultivation advice that enables you to diagnose and treat plant disease, balance nutrients and find the optimal time for harvesting. Be able to test all of your flowers for active compounds so you can accurately maintain quality and consistency. HiGrade will turn you into a master grower, helping you to grow healthier plants with higher yields. To activate HiGrade PRO you'll need to purchase the HiGrade Kit, which comes with a unique activation code as well as a smartphone accessory that will turn your phone camera into a high resolution microscope. The HiGrade Kit gives us a better view of specific plant structures so we can accurately analyze and diagnose your plant in real time using cloud-based algorithms. Use your unique activation code to gain access to all HiGrade PRO features. We’re your buds’ new best bud. Download HiGrade today.

About

Cannabis Journal

Track your cannabis experiences, logging strains, products, and their effects. Discover ideal activities for different strains and understand how they impact medical conditions. Approach dispensaries with confidence by knowing what works best for you.

Highlights
  • Log cannabis strains and products
  • Record effects and activities
  • Track impact on medical conditions
  • Rate strains by price, THC, aroma, flavor
  • Gain dispensary confidence
Features
Read full description

The Cannabis Journal is the best way to get the most out of your cannabis experience. Log the effects of specific cannabis strains and products. Keep a record of the best activities for those strains whether it's hiking, music-making or sleep. Know what products can help or hurt sensitive medical conditions and health problems. View your journal's highest rated and lowest rated strains by price, THC percentage, aroma, flavors and more. Approach the dispensary with confidence by understanding what genetics and strains work for you and which ones do not. Don't be uncertain about your experience the next time you purchase or consume cannabis. Get the strain journal app and let cannabis enhance your life with confidence. Subscription plans: Annual: $12.99 Payments and Renewal: Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage or turn off auto-renew in your Account settings at any time after purchase No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during the active period. Terms of use: https://cannabisjournal.app/terms-of-use/ Privacy policy: https://cannabisjournal.app/privacy-policy/

Screenshots

HiGrade4 screens
Cannabis Journal4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: HiGrade at 4.6 against Cannabis Journal's 3.4. HiGrade also leads on review sentiment (85% vs 43%) and monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription). Cannabis Journal's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs every 3 weeks). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. HiGrade sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and Cannabis Journal sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $9.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

HiGrade holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: HiGrade has 922 ratings behind it against 28, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 85% of HiGrade's written reviews are positive against 43% of Cannabis Journal's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HiGrade ships an update every 3 weeks, Cannabis Journal every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
HiGrade versus Cannabis Journal: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHiGradeCannabis Journal
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (922 ratings) — better3.4 (28 ratings)
Positive reviews84.8% of reviews — better43.5% of reviews
Number of ratings922 — better28
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS12.4 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size25 MB41 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperMyCrops Technologies Ltd.Passion Project Productions, LLC

Customer experience

HiGrade

All ratings922 ratings
Positive92.1%
Neutral1.6%
Negative6.3%
Written reviews165 reviews
Positive84.8%
Neutral2.4%
Negative12.7%

Cannabis Journal

All ratings19 ratings
Positive84.2%
Neutral0.0%
Negative15.8%
Written reviews23 reviews
Positive43.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative56.5%

Bugs and requests

HiGrade

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App crashes
  • Login/subscription issues
  • Inability to delete photos

Requested features

4 requests
  • Ability to identify strain
  • More comprehensive analysis (CBD, etc.)
  • Journal/notes feature for grow data
  • Better photo/camera integration

Cannabis Journal

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

8 purchases

HiGrade

Subscriptions8
  • HiGrade monthly subscription$9.991 Month
  • HiGrade - monthly subscription$14.991 Month
  • HiGrade | monthly subscription$19.991 Month
Show 5 more
  • HiGrade 3 month subscription$24.993 Months
  • HiGrade 3 month subscription2 variants$39.993 Months
  • HiGrade annual subscription$59.991 Year
  • HiGrade annual subscription$69.991 Year
  • HiGrade annual subscription$79.991 Year
1 purchases

Cannabis Journal

Subscriptions1
  • Cannabis Journal7 Days trial$9.991 Year

Questions

Is HiGrade free?
HiGrade is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Cannabis Journal free?
Cannabis Journal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, HiGrade or Cannabis Journal?
HiGrade is rated higher. HiGrade averages 4.6 out of 5 from 922 ratings, while Cannabis Journal averages 3.4 from 28 ratings.
Do HiGrade or Cannabis Journal have ads?
Neither HiGrade nor Cannabis Journal shows ads.
Which is updated more often, HiGrade or Cannabis Journal?
HiGrade ships an update every 3 weeks, and Cannabis Journal every 5 days. Most recently, HiGrade was updated on November 2, 2026 and Cannabis Journal on October 24, 2026.

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