# Digital Journal Diary vs Inner Reef

The clearest difference is ads: Digital Journal Diary at none against Inner Reef's shown. Digital Journal Diary also leads on ratings volume (6.5K vs 211). Inner Reef's advantage is rating (4.9 vs 4.6) and review sentiment (80% vs 62%). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Digital Journal Diary sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Inner Reef sells 22 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Inner Reef holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Digital Journal Diary has 6.5K ratings behind it against 211, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 62% of Digital Journal Diary's written reviews are positive against 80% of Inner Reef's.

Digital Journal Diary ships an update every 2 weeks, Inner Reef every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Digital Journal Diary | Inner Reef |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (6.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/digital-journal-diary/id1520435704/reviews) | **[4.9 (211 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/inner-reef-therapy-tools/id1636884270/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **6.5K** | 211 |
| Positive reviews | 61.7% of reviews | **80.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 42 MB | 323 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | **16.4** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Protection & Security App LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1282949976) | [Fooge](https://appshunter.io/developer/1636884272) |

## What reviewers say

### Digital Journal Diary

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/digital-journal-diary/id1520435704)

Document your life, track goals, and monitor your mood with this versatile journaling app. Enhance well-being, creativity, and productivity through daily reflection. Secure your entries with password protection and sync across devices.

**Highlights:** Add photos, videos, and audio recordings, Track mood, goals, and activities, Create to-do lists and business plans, Password protection for privacy, Sync entries across devices, Export journal entries, Set daily reminders

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| Weekly | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Yearly | $49.99 | per year |
| Journal Lifetime | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to use
- 👍 Customizable features
- 🔒 Password protection
- 📝 Helps with journaling and self-expression
- 🎨 Aesthetically pleasing

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Backup and sync issues
- 🔍 Lack of spell check and autocorrect
- 🔒 Concerns about privacy and security
- 🤖 Poor voice transcription
- 💬 Repetitive review prompts

**Reported bugs**

- Entries not saving on the correct date
- App crashes when trying to record audio
- Inability to change or recover password

**Requested features**

- Longer video/audio recording duration
- More customization options for moods and themes
- Ability to edit or delete entries
- Improved backup and sync functionality
- Better organization and navigation


### Inner Reef

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/inner-reef-therapy-tools/id1636884270)

Restore a magical world by focusing on your personal growth and self-care. Your daily actions and "glow" directly impact the game's environment, revealing your inner story and patterns. Discover AI-powered tools, journaling, and insights in this gentle, playful experience.

**Highlights:** Gamified self-growth, AI-supported coaching, Guided journaling, Motivation and energy insights, Habit and rhythm building, Wheel of Life reflections

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (22)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Sea Star Subscription (Yearly) | $9.99 | per year |
| Sea Star (Monthly) | $14.95 | per month |
| Sea Star (Monthly) | $16.99 | per month |
| Sea Star (Weekly) | $19.99 | per 7 days |
| Sea Star (Monthly) | $24.99 | per month |
| Sea Star Subscription (Yearly) | $29.90 | per year |
| Sea Star Subscription (Yearly) | $29.90 | per year |
| Sea Star (Yearly) | $39.99 | per year |
| Sea Star Subscription (Yearly) | $54.90 | per year |
| Sea Star (Yearly) | $59.99 | per year |
| Sea Star (Yearly) | $59.99 | per year |
| Sea Star (Yearly) | $59.99 | per year |
| Sea Star (Yearly) | $69.99 | per year |
| Sea Star (Yearly) | $69.99 | per year |
| Sea Star (Yearly) | $74.99 | per year |
| Sea Star (Yearly) | $89.99 | per year |
| Sea Star (Yearly) | $89.99 | per year |
| Sea Star Subscription (Yearly) | $95.99 | per year |
| Sea Star Subscription (Yearly) | $169.99 | per year |
| Golden Sea Star Bundle | $0.49 | one-time |
| Shellphone Token Bundle | $0.49 | one-time |
| Shellphone Token Bundle | $1.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Free version is great
- 💖 Cute and motivating interface
- 💡 Best coaching app with real tips
- 🧠 Neurodivergent brain friendly
- 🐢 Turtle interface is loved

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Yearly subscription only
- 🚫 Cannot join 'sea stars'
- 🔒 Locked out and password reset issues
- ❌ Vision board photo editing not working
- 🗣️ 'Spirit animal' phrasing is cultural appropriation

**Reported bugs**

- 🐛 Cannot join 'sea stars'
- 🐛 Password reset link not sending
- 🐛 Vision board photos cannot be changed
- 🐛 Check-ins not occurring at scheduled times
- 🐛 Charged despite 3-day trial cancellation

**Requested features**

- Option to reset journey and start over
- Ability to change name and email
- Landscape view on iPad
- Option to change font
- Contact support easily


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Digital Journal Diary free?

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

### Is Inner Reef free?

Inner Reef is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Digital Journal Diary or Inner Reef?

Inner Reef is rated higher. Digital Journal Diary averages 4.6 out of 5 from 6.5K ratings, while Inner Reef averages 4.9 from 211 ratings.

### Do Digital Journal Diary or Inner Reef have ads?

Inner Reef shows ads; Digital Journal Diary does not.

### Which is updated more often, Digital Journal Diary or Inner Reef?

Digital Journal Diary ships an update every 2 weeks, and Inner Reef every 4 days. Most recently, Digital Journal Diary was updated on October 29, 2026 and Inner Reef on October 20, 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.*