Comparison

COGITO (MCT) vs Smart Journal

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

Head to head
About

COGITO (MCT)

This self-help application offers daily exercises based on CBT and Metacognitive Training to improve psychological well-being. It provides specialized program packages for various issues, including gambling problems and psychotic experiences, and supports users in building regular exercise habits for lasting mental state changes.

Highlights
  • Daily self-help exercises
  • Program packages for specific issues
  • Based on CBT and Metacognitive Training
  • Customizable exercises
  • Optional daily reminders
  • Scientific study validated
Features
Read full description

COGITO is a self-help app to improve mental well-being. COGITO is your daily companion for improving your mental well-being and strengthening your self-esteem. Whether you are facing challenges or simply want to feel better day to day, COGITO supports you with simple, practical tools. It is funded by donations and remains completely free, with no ads, no hidden costs, and no data tracking. Choose from focused programs tailored to your needs, such as exercises for mood, anxiety, gambling, self-esteem, or pain. Each program includes practical, science-based exercises that you can apply immediately. Evidence based and effective COGITO is based on established psychological approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Metacognitive Training (MCT). Studies show it can reduce emotional distress and improve self-esteem (further information: see www.uke.de/cogito_app). Using COGITO consistently a few minutes a day produces real change. How it works • Choose a program that fits your current need, whether mood, anxiety, self-esteem, or another area • Complete short, focused exercises built on principles of cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy and other interventions • Set optional reminders to build a daily habit • Adapt exercises or create your own to make COGITO truly yours Consistency matters. Small steps repeated regularly lead to lasting change. COGITO helps you turn helpful strategies into everyday habits. Make COGITO your own personalised toolkit Important COGITO is a self-help tool and does not replace professional treatment such as psychotherapy. It is not suitable for acute crises or suicidal thoughts. If you are in crisis, please seek professional help immediately. Permissions Photo Library: Add images to your exercises (optional) Camera: Add photos to your exercises (optional)

About

Smart Journal

Features
Read full description

Dreavie is the private journal that guides your writing. Unlike traditional diaries, Dreavie AI helps you organize thoughts through chat, asks reflective prompts, and analyzes your entries on request. Whether daily journaling, importing handwritten pages via photo, or reflecting with AI – everything stays encrypted on your device. No cloud. No servers. Your thoughts belong to you alone. Write freely, digitize your diary, or talk with an intelligent conversation partner that helps you find clarity. Dreavie makes journaling simple, secure, and personal – for mental health or creative writing. WRITE YOUR JOURNAL Create entries in seconds. Morning thoughts, feelings after work, or evening reflections – just start writing. AI COACH IN CHAT Imagine having a conversation partner who's always available. The AI coach knows your entries and can ask you prompts in the editor, helps you reflect, and brings new perspectives to your thoughts. Perfect when you don't know where to start. DIGITIZE HANDWRITING Photograph handwritten diary pages and Dreavie converts them into searchable text. Your analog memories go digital – without typing everything out. DREAM ANALYSIS Capture and understand your dreams. Dreavie helps you recognize patterns and discover meanings. Your dream diary with intelligent support. FAST SEARCH Find every thought again. Search all your entries – whether digitally written or imported from paper. PRIVACY FIRST All your data stays encrypted on your device. No cloud. No servers. No AI training data. You alone have access to your thoughts. Optionally, you can enable an encrypted cloud backup – but only if you want to. EXPORT YOUR DATA Your data belongs to you. Export all entries anytime as a backup or to use elsewhere. FOR EVERY AREA OF LIFE Mental Health: Reflect on feelings and recognize patterns Fitness & Progress: Document workouts and achievements Creativity: Capture ideas and projects Personal Growth: Track your development over months and years Work: Reflect on your workday to grow Memories: Preserve your most beautiful moments so they last forever Sounds good? It is. Start for free with Dreavie – your private journal. Questions, suggestions, or feedback? Write to us at office@dreavie.com Geschäftsbedingungen: https://dreavie.com/en/legal/terms Datenschutzrichtlinie: https://dreavie.com/en/legal/privacy-policy EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

COGITO (MCT)4 screens
Smart Journal4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: COGITO (MCT) at none against Smart Journal's shown. Smart Journal's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs monthly). On price, in-app purchases, 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

COGITO (MCT) ships an update monthly, Smart Journal every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
COGITO (MCT) versus Smart Journal: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCOGITO (MCT)Smart Journal
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (5 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews87.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings5 — better—
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 5 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size51 MB79 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperLara BueckerNoah Juraj Soticek

In-app purchases

None

COGITO (MCT)

No in-app purchases

None

Smart Journal

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is COGITO (MCT) free?
COGITO (MCT) is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Smart Journal free?
Smart Journal is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do COGITO (MCT) or Smart Journal have ads?
Smart Journal shows ads; COGITO (MCT) does not.
Which is updated more often, COGITO (MCT) or Smart Journal?
COGITO (MCT) ships an update monthly, and Smart Journal every 5 days. Most recently, COGITO (MCT) was updated on October 27, 2026 and Smart Journal on October 11, 2026.

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