# Diary with lock vs Diary

The clearest difference is ads: Diary with lock at none against Diary's shown. Diary with lock also leads on update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 4 months). Diary's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.0). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Diary with lock sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and Diary sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.49 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Diary holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.2K and 906 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 66% and 66% positive.

Diary with lock ships an update every 6 weeks, Diary every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Diary with lock | Diary |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.3 (1.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/diary-with-lock/id1347511716/reviews) | **[4.5 (906 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/diary-private-note-with-lock/id1454490013/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **1.2K** | 906 |
| Positive reviews | 65.6% of reviews | **66.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 weeks** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 39 MB | 88 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **11.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Tuyen Bui](https://appshunter.io/developer/1000285801) | [俊川 林](https://appshunter.io/developer/1458693881) |

## What reviewers say

### Diary with lock

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/diary-with-lock/id1347511716)

Create a secure personal journal to record daily events, thoughts, and secrets. Protect your entries with a password or PIN code and customize the look with different colors and fonts. This app offers a simple, fast, and user-friendly way to document your life.

**Highlights:** Password & PIN code protection, Customizable background colors, Changeable font styles, Easy-to-use interface, Searchable entries, Unlimited entries, Multi-language support

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Cloud Sync Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Donate to Developer | $5.99 | one-time |
| Diary with lock-No Advertising | $8.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🔒 Secure with password protection
- ✨ Customizable fonts and colors
- 📝 Easy to write entries
- 💻 Convenient digital diary

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💸 Too many ads interrupting writing
- 🐛 Crashes and glitches when trying to write
- 💾 No backup or data recovery options
- 🔍 Partial visibility of entries even when locked

**Reported bugs**

- Entries randomly disappearing
- Constant redirects to ads when trying to write
- Login/password reset not working properly

**Requested features**

- Backup and sync entries across devices
- Fingerprint/Face ID support for locking
- Ability to change font size and color
- Option to disable ads for paid users


### Diary

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/diary-private-note-with-lock/id1454490013)

This app offers a private digital notebook for journaling, with customizable interfaces and dynamic effects. Secure your entries with a password and receive daily reminders to write. Add photos, text, and choose from various fonts and background stationery colors to make your entries vibrant.

**Highlights:** Dynamic interface themes, Timeline view, Customizable stationery colors, Add photos and text, Multiple font options, Password protection, Daily writing reminders

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Diary PLUS | $2.49 | per month |
| Diary Quarterly Plus | $6.49 | per 3 months |
| Pro Version | $7.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Customizable and aesthetic
- 📝 Helps with routines and organization
- 🔒 Password protection (with premium)
- 📷 Ability to add photos

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Many features locked behind paywall
- 🔒 Password not free
- 📃 Limited writing space
- 🐛 Bugs and crashes
- 🔍 Privacy concerns

**Reported bugs**

- Entries disappearing
- Inability to read/scroll through long entries
- Typos in app
- Freezing issues

**Requested features**

- Ability to scroll and read long entries
- More free font and customization options
- European time format
- Option to not include photos


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Diary with lock free?

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

### Is Diary free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Diary with lock or Diary?

Diary is rated higher. Diary with lock averages 4.3 out of 5 from 1.2K ratings, while Diary averages 4.5 from 906 ratings.

### Do Diary with lock or Diary have ads?

Diary shows ads; Diary with lock does not.

### Which is updated more often, Diary with lock or Diary?

Diary with lock ships an update every 6 weeks, and Diary every 4 months. Most recently, Diary with lock was updated on October 5, 2026 and Diary on October 20, 2026.

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