JotJournal vs Years Journal
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
JotJournal
This app offers a simple and intuitive journaling experience with an SNS-style interface. Create a private timeline to record your thoughts and emotions without complicated settings. It's designed for users seeking an easy-to-use, visually appealing daily diary.
- SNS style diary
- Simple and beautiful design
- Easy to use interface
- Private timeline creation
- Stress-free diary management
Read full descriptionHide full description
○ Recommend for people like this ・Want to use a SNS style diary. ・Want to keep a daily diary in a simple way. ・Want to use a simple but easy to use diary. ・Tired of using diary with complicated settings. ○ Simple and beautiful design App is designed to be a simple and easy to use diary. This is an application that embodies "simple is best". ○ SNS style diary If you are tired of using a SNS, then this app is for you. You can create your own private timeline and write your emotions in a diary. ○ Easy to use Thanks to its simple design and no extra features, you can use the app intuitively. You can manage your diary in a fun and stress-free manner. Terms of Use: https://diary-notes-app-studio.notion.site/JotJournal-Private-Diary-Terms-of-Use-English-3d895afb722d8103b441e092e31cd129
Years Journal
This app allows you to record your daily thoughts and emotions, and revisit past entries for the same date. You can attach photos, search your history, and enjoy a visually organized calendar view. Automatic backups and multi-device support ensure your memories are always accessible.
- Write and display journal entries
- Attach photos to entries
- Calendar view of entries
- Search past entries
- Automatic data backup
- Multi-device viewing and editing
- Dark mode and theme customization
Read full descriptionHide full description
Revisit this day in past years. See journal entries from the same date, year by year. Write about today with words and photos, then look back at what you were doing on this day before. Features • Entries from the same date, grouped by year • Journal entries with text and photos • A calendar for choosing a date • Search by words you remember • A photo album that opens the entry from that day • Automatic data backup and viewing and editing across devices • Theme colors and dark mode • Passcode lock On supported devices, set a passcode first, then enable Face ID or Touch ID in Settings → Lock. Backup and use across devices require an account and an internet connection. A Premium subscription is available to remove ads. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://lightnet328.notion.site/Years-Privacy-Policy-2cfa38e8fd534d96931fd95bcd22770d
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Years Journal at none against JotJournal's 4. JotJournal's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 2 weeks) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.1). On price, review sentiment, ads and monetization model 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
Both are free to download. JotJournal sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Years Journal asks for nothing beyond the download.
JotJournal ships an update weekly, Years Journal every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | JotJournal | Years Journal |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.4 (14 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 78.2% of reviews — better | 72.7% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 14 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Weekly — better | Every 2 weeks |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 15.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 101 MB | 29 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Naohito Muraoka | Yutaro Kido |
Customer experience
JotJournal
Years Journal
In-app purchases
JotJournal
- Premium Monthly$1.991 Month
- Premium Annual$5.991 Year
- Premium outright purchase$19.99
- Premium outright purchase$24.99
Years Journal
No in-app purchases
