Comparison

ZenJournal vs 1% ToDay

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

Head to head
About

ZenJournal

This minimalist journaling app offers a streamlined experience for logging thoughts, ideas, and memories. Organize entries with hashtags, search your history, and protect your privacy with discreet mode and biometric locks. It's designed for quick, stress-free reflection anytime, anywhere.

Highlights
  • Unified timeline interface
  • Discreet Mode for public use
  • TouchID/FaceID lock
  • Hashtag organization
  • Quick search and filter
  • Backup and restore
  • Dark/Light mode
Features
Read full description

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

About

1% ToDay

Features
Read full description

1% Today helps you improve a little each day — with goals, tasks, streaks, and visible progress. Transform big goals into small, sustainable daily steps. Track your level, maintain your streak of qualifying days, and celebrate achievements along the way. WHAT YOU CAN DO • Create and organize quantifiable tasks and goals • Track daily progress and see your percentage of the day • Earn levels and maintain a consistent streak • Explore the social feed and share achievements (optional) • Subscribe to the Pro plan to unlock premium features WHY 1% TODAY Small improvements compounded together generate lasting results. The app was designed for consistency, not perfection. ACCOUNT AND PRIVACY Log in with Google or Apple. Privacy Policy: https://api.one-percent-today.com/legal/privacy Terms of Use: https://api.one-percent-today.com/legal/terms PRO SUBSCRIPTION (OPTIONAL) Monthly and annual plans available via the App Store. Trial period as per offer displayed in the app. Manage or cancel in Settings → Apple ID → Subscriptions. Support: support@one-percent-today.com 1% ToDay is a habit and productivity app. It does not replace medical or professional healthcare advice.

Screenshots

ZenJournal4 screens
1% ToDay4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: 1% ToDay at every 3 days against ZenJournal's monthly. 1% ToDay also leads on iOS requirement (15.1 vs 26.0). 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. ZenJournal sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days and 1% ToDay sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ZenJournal ships an update monthly, 1% ToDay every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
ZenJournal versus 1% ToDay: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterZenJournal1% ToDay
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (81 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews81.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings81 — better—
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS26.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size20 MB52 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperShaomeng ZhangVITOR GOMES MIRANDA

Bugs and requests

ZenJournal

Reported bugs

13 issues
  • 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
Show 8 more
  • 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

Requested features

52 requests
  • Ability to edit past entries
  • Sync between devices (iPad and iPhone)
  • Export by hashtag
  • Per-entry word count
  • Basic formatting (italics, bold)
Show 47 more
  • 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

1% ToDay

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

4 purchases

ZenJournal

Subscriptions3
  • Zen Pro Weekly7 Days trial$1.997 Days
  • Zen Pro1 Month trial$2.493 Months
  • Zen Pro Annual7 Days trial$29.991 Year
One-time1
  • Zen Lifetime$99.99
2 purchases

1% ToDay

Subscriptions2
  • Pro Monthly$1.991 Month
  • Pro Annual$19.991 Year

Questions

Is ZenJournal free?
ZenJournal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is 1% ToDay free?
1% ToDay is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do ZenJournal or 1% ToDay have ads?
Neither ZenJournal nor 1% ToDay shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ZenJournal or 1% ToDay?
ZenJournal ships an update monthly, and 1% ToDay every 3 days. Most recently, ZenJournal was updated on November 2, 2026 and 1% ToDay on October 25, 2026.

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