# iMakeTime vs Private Journal

The clearest difference is rating: Private Journal at 4.7 against iMakeTime's 4.0. Private Journal also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 27 months) and ratings volume (544 vs 1). iMakeTime's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6) and iOS requirement (12.2 vs 17.0). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Private Journal sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month. iMakeTime asks for nothing beyond the download.

Private Journal holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Private Journal has 544 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

iMakeTime ships an update every 27 months, Private Journal weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | iMakeTime | Private Journal |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/imaketime/id1473347192/reviews) | **[4.7 (544 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/private-journal-punkt/id1507575828/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 1 | **544** |
| Positive reviews | — | 85.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 27 months | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 41 MB | 18 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.2** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [iMakeTime LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1473347191) | [Gregor Pichler](https://appshunter.io/developer/949814417) |

## What reviewers say

### iMakeTime

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/imaketime/id1473347192)

This app helps busy individuals prioritize self-care, family, and personal growth. It offers quick, personalized tools to manage daily challenges, reduce regrets, and foster balance. Reclaim your day and feel better with just a few minutes of focused attention.

**Highlights:** Daily self-care prioritization, Regret reduction tools, Personalized balance tracking, Quick daily check-ins, Customizable goal setting, Positive habit formation

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Private Journal

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/private-journal-punkt/id1507575828)

This app offers a secure and private journaling experience with a simple, user-friendly design. It focuses on helping users track their moods and daily experiences to foster happiness and positivity. All data is stored locally or in private iCloud, with no ads or logins required.

**Highlights:** Simple and intuitive design, Secure local and iCloud storage, Face ID/Touch ID protection, No login or ads, Supports accessibility features, Fair and transparent pricing

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Punkt Premium Monthly | $1.49 | per month |
| Punkt Premium Monthly | $1.99 | per month |
| Punkt Premium Monthly | $3.49 | per month |
| Punkt Premium Yearly | $19.99 | per year |
| Punkt Premium Lifetime Special | $19.99 | one-time |
| Punkt Premium Lifetime | $49.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Simple and easy to use
- 🚀 Intuitive interface
- 🔒 Secure and private
- 💡 Helpful for journaling habit
- 👍 Minimalist design

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes or data loss
- 🔒 Lack of password/biometric options
- 💡 Limited customization options
- 💡 Desire for more features (video, multiple photos, etc.)

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes when exporting journal
- Inconsistent behavior when writing late at night
- Restore purchases not working on iPad

**Requested features**

- Add iPad and macOS app support
- Allow editing of past entries
- Expand mood/reason options
- Provide more detailed analytics and data visualization
- Add ability to change entry dates


## Frequently asked questions

### Is iMakeTime free?

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

### Is Private Journal free?

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

### Which has better reviews, iMakeTime or Private Journal?

Private Journal is rated higher. iMakeTime averages 4.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Private Journal averages 4.7 from 544 ratings.

### Do iMakeTime or Private Journal have ads?

Neither iMakeTime nor Private Journal shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, iMakeTime or Private Journal?

iMakeTime ships an update every 27 months, and Private Journal weekly. Most recently, iMakeTime was updated on October 19, 2026 and Private Journal on October 25, 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.*