# the open diaries vs Shift Box

The clearest difference is update cadence: Shift Box at every 5 days against the open diaries's every 2 months. the open diaries's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 17.6). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

the open diaries ships an update every 2 months, Shift Box every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | the open diaries | Shift Box |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.7 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-open-diaries/id1457303447/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **3** | — |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | — |
| Size | 38 MB | 32 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 17.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Kiot Communications LLP](https://appshunter.io/developer/1367918709) | [myungkyu namkung](https://appshunter.io/developer/1860735476) |

## What reviewers say

### the open diaries

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-open-diaries/id1457303447)

This app provides a secure and visually appealing space for journaling your thoughts and daily experiences. You can keep entries private, share them anonymously, or send messages to your future self. Customize your writing environment with different wallpapers and fonts.

**Highlights:** Private diary entries, Anonymous public sharing, Letters to future self, Customizable wallpapers, Adjustable fonts, Privacy editing for notes

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Shift Box

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shift-box-shift-calendar/id6757806164)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is the open diaries free?

the open diaries is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Shift Box free?

Shift Box is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do the open diaries or Shift Box have ads?

Both the open diaries and Shift Box show ads.

### Which is updated more often, the open diaries or Shift Box?

the open diaries ships an update every 2 months, and Shift Box every 5 days. Most recently, the open diaries was updated on November 2, 2026 and Shift Box on October 28, 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.*