Comparison

Kwikset vs Journalous

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

Head to head
About

Kwikset

Control and monitor your smart locks remotely, manage guest access with custom codes, and receive instant security alerts. Integrate with popular smart home ecosystems for enhanced automation and peace of mind.

Highlights
  • Remote lock monitoring and control
  • Guest access code management
  • Instant activity and security alerts
  • Multi-home and lock management
  • Smart home ecosystem integration (Wi-Fi, Matter)
  • Encrypted data security
Features
Read full description

At Kwikset, we understand that the locks you choose to protect your home is a decision you do not take lightly. That is why we do not take shortcuts when it comes to quality, because we know that a better lock means better peace of mind. Remote Access Control Monitor the status of your locks and manage your home's access seamlessly from anywhere at any time. Trusted Access Management Share app access with guests or create scheduled or one-time access codes for keyless entry. Instant Activity Alerts Receive instant notifications anytime someone accesses your home, or when invalid codes are entered, or lock tampering occurs. Intuitive Home Management Easily configure and manage multiple homes and locks for complete control. Seamless Integration with Smart Ecosystems Add your lock via Wi-Fi to your preferred smart home ecosystems, including Google Home or Amazon Alexa, or amplify automation through IFTTT. Kwikset’s new Halo Select lock is Matter and Wi-Fi compatible, giving you the same Wi-Fi options as our other Halo locks. With Matter, you can connect to Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, and other Matter hubs via Thread. Matter features may differ from ecosystem to ecosystem. You can check out www.kwikset.com/matter for more information. Security and Peace of Mind Kwikset provides unparalleled security while safeguarding your privacy. All data shared between the lock, the server, and the Kwikset app is encrypted, and our servers are exclusively hosted in the US. Our goal is to provide you with the utmost convenience, trust, and safety for your smart living experience. The Kwikset App is compatible with all Kwikset Halo and Kwikset Aura smart locks. Kwikset®, a trusted leader in residential security and a registered trademark of ASSA ABLOY Americas Residential Inc., an ASSA ABLOY Group Company

About

Journalous

Features
Read full description

Journalous is a journal without the social part. A private place to write about your day. No feeds, no followers, no likes, nothing recommending you anything. Your words are encrypted and only you can read them. Journaling drifted onto social media at some point. Journalous pulls it back. It keeps what makes daily writing easy (a clean page, a routine, a streak you don't want to break) and drops the audience. Write every day The editor stays out of the way. Bold, italics, headings, lists, and quotes are there if you want them, but you can also just start typing. Entries save themselves as you go. Private by default Every entry is encrypted with AES-256. Each account gets its own key, stored in a vault separate from the database, so entries are protected the moment they're saved. Your email is stored only as a one-way hash. No ads, no feed, and your journal is never sold or used to train AI. More than words Attach photos to any day. Add quick notes, a quote, a passing idea, alongside your main entry when you don't feel like writing a full paragraph. Look back Browse a clean timeline, jump to any day on the calendar, or search everything you've written. Statistics show your current streak, total words, days journaled, and your longest run so far. Share on purpose Nothing is public unless you make it public. Generate a link for a single entry and that's all anyone sees. Keep your data Export the whole journal any time as plain, readable JSON. Back it up, move it, build something with it. No lock-in. Works everywhere Journalous is on your phone, your tablet, and in any browser, and it keeps working even when you're offline — your entries sync automatically once you're back online. Free to start The basics are free. Paid plans add unlimited journals, more sharing, and collaborative journals are coming soon. If you've been wanting somewhere to write that isn't performing for anyone, this is it. Start writing today. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.journalo.us/terms Privacy Policy: https://www.journalo.us/privacy

Screenshots

Kwikset4 screens
Journalous4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Kwikset at none against Journalous's 2. Journalous's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs every 3 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. Journalous sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per year. Kwikset asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Kwikset ships an update every 3 months, Journalous every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Kwikset versus Journalous: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKwiksetJournalous
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (60K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews47.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings60K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.016.0
Further details — not scored
Size356 MB38 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperASSA ABLOY AMERICAS RESIDENTIAL INC.Retrosquare LLC

Bugs and requests

Kwikset

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App crashes and freezes
  • Inability to update firmware
  • Inconsistent lock status reporting
  • Pairing failures with Bluetooth and WiFi

Requested features

4 requests
  • Customizable notifications
  • Ability to manage multiple locks
  • Scheduled auto-lock feature
  • Integration with smart home platforms

Journalous

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Kwikset

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Journalous

Subscriptions2
  • Journalous Plus - Extended Plan$14.991 Year
  • Journalous Plus - Ultimate Plan$39.991 Year

Questions

Is Kwikset free?
Kwikset is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Journalous free?
Journalous is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Kwikset or Journalous have ads?
Neither Kwikset nor Journalous shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Kwikset or Journalous?
Kwikset ships an update every 3 months, and Journalous every 5 days. Most recently, Kwikset was updated on October 30, 2026 and Journalous on October 9, 2026.

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