Diary vs Lucy Diary
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Diary
This is a straightforward journaling application designed for simplicity and iOS synchronization. It allows users to export their entries as plain text or Markdown files, ensuring their data is portable. The app aims to provide a clean and reliable space for personal reflection.
- Simple and clean interface
- iOS synchronization
- Plain text export
- Markdown file export
- Annual updates (historically)
Read full descriptionHide full description
Diary - Record Repeater is a very simple app. I built it with just three goals: 1. Simple and clean. 2. Sync with iOS. 3. Updates every year, in step with iOS. I built it for myself. But if these traits speak to you, it might be for you too. The description above was written at launch. I'm adding to it now, in 2026. About goal #3, I owe you an apology. I didn't update this app for eight years. I'm truly sorry. I know some of you were disappointed. Some may never want to use it again — and honestly, I'd probably feel the same. I know this doesn't make up for it. But at least, I worked to make sure the diaries you've kept can come with you. In this new version, the backup feature lets you take your entries with you as plain text files and Markdown files. I'm sorry, again, for making you worry about the diaries you've trusted to this app. Thank you for reading this.
Lucy Diary
A private and cozy digital journal for daily thoughts, dreams, and memories. Offers a clean writing space with optional premium features for enhanced customization and photo attachments.
- Daily diary entries
- Distraction-free writing space
- Privacy-focused experience
- Customization and cozy themes
- Photo attachments
- Premium diary layouts
Read full descriptionHide full description
Lucy is a private, cozy diary for daily thoughts, dreams, reflections, gratitude notes, and memories. Free features: - Create diary entries and keep a daily writing habit. - Write in a clean, distraction-free space. - Keep personal notes in a privacy-focused diary experience. Diary+ features require an optional in-app purchase: - Extra diary customization and cozy themes. - Photo attachments for memories. - Additional personalization tools. - Premium diary layouts and styles. Whether you use the free journal or choose Diary+ for more customization, Lucy helps you keep life organized in one beautiful place. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://tahjx.github.io/lucy-legal/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Lucy Diary at 5.0 against Diary's 1.0. Lucy Diary also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 99 months) and device support. Diary's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). On price and ratings volume 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
Both are free to download. Lucy Diary sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Diary asks for nothing beyond the download.
Lucy Diary holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 1.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 1 respectively.
Diary ships an update every 99 months, Lucy Diary weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Diary | Lucy Diary |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 1.0 (1 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 99 months | Weekly — better |
| Ads | — | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | — | iPhone, iPad — better |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 1 MB | 72 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | jong-chan PARK | Tahj Elliott |
Customer experience
Diary
Lucy Diary
In-app purchases
Diary
No in-app purchases
Lucy Diary
- Diary+ Monthly$1.991 Month
- Diary+ Yearly$7.991 Year
- Diary+ Lifetime$11.99









