Comparison

Nice journal vs Buddy Journal

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

Head to head
About

Nice journal

This app helps users create beautiful and private journals with a variety of customization options. Add stickers, backgrounds, and photos to record memories and aspirations. Password protection ensures your entries remain secure.

Highlights
  • Customizable stickers and backgrounds
  • Password-protected private space
  • Apple Pencil support for iPad
  • Photo insertion for visual journaling
  • Goal and dream recording
Features
Read full description

Nice journal is a girl's Journaling app. It has a lot of stickers, background pictures and fonts to help you easily record your wonderful life. Making a journal is a sense of ritual. As a safe and private girl's diary, you can write down your goals and dreams here. [Material] A lot of cute sticker materials and fresh backgrounds make diarys fun. [Privacy] Password protects your private space, and you can write it with confidence. [apple pencil] Adapt to ipad, support editing your handbook through apple pencil. [Photos] Insert photos in your journal and record your life with pictures. Nice journal understands that she still has a lot of room for improvement, and also looks forward to your feedback. If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact us~ Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew unless you cancel at least 24-hours before the end of the current subscription period. The renewal fee will be charged to your account within 24 hours before the end of the current subscription period. If you do not cancel the subscription during the trial period, the unused trial period will be automatically forfeited after the subscription is purchased. After completing your purchase, you can manage and cancel your subscription by going to your App Store Account Settings. Terms of Service: https://oldercn.github.io/posts/yufengyun/fuwu Privacy Policy: https://oldercn.github.io/posts/yufengyun/privacy

About

Buddy Journal

This app provides a user-friendly space to record daily thoughts, moods, and memories. It offers extensive customization options with backgrounds and stickers to personalize your entries and is accessible on mobile devices.

Highlights
  • Intuitive interface for easy journaling
  • Personalized backgrounds and stickers
  • Add text and images to entries
  • Record daily moods and memories
  • Mobile convenience for on-the-go use
  • iPad compatibility
Features
Read full description

Buddy Journal - Capture the traces of time, with every page filled with stories and warmth. Buddy Journal is a thoughtfully designed notebook and diary, dedicated to providing you with a comfortable and free space for recording. Whether you want to document daily mood changes or cherish those unforgettable moments, Buddy Journal has you covered. [Simple Operation, Easy to Use] The diary app features an intuitive and sleek interface design, making it easy for you to get started right away. Adding text, inserting images, or adjusting the layout only takes a few simple steps, ensuring a smooth recording process. [Personalized Customization, Show Your True Self] We understand that everyone has their unique aesthetics and style. Therefore, Buddy Journal offers a wealth of personalization options. You can freely choose backgrounds, stickers, and create a diary style that's exclusively yours, making every page full of personality and charm. [Mobile Convenience, Anytime, Anywhere] Compatible with iPad, Buddy Journal allows you to record life's moments wherever you go. No matter where you are, simply open the app and add new entries anytime, enriching your life with color and diversity. Experience Buddy Journal now! Let's record the beauty of life together and cherish precious memories! Subscription instructions: The subscription fee will be deducted from the iTunes account when the user confirms the purchase and can be automatically renewed; Cancel automatic renewal at least 24 hours before the end of the current subscription period, otherwise it will be automatically renewed; Users can manage subscription services by going to their account settings to disable automatic subscriptions after purchasing. To enable subscriptions, you need to agree to the following terms and conditions Service Terms: https://ruimeiyang.github.io/posts/ruimeiyang/fuwu Privacy Policy: https://ruimeiyang.github.io/posts/ruimeiyang/privacy

Screenshots

Nice journal4 screens
Buddy Journal4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Buddy Journal at 100% against Nice journal's 60%. Buddy Journal also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.5). Nice journal's advantage is ratings volume (122 vs 17) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. Nice journal sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and Buddy Journal sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Buddy Journal holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Nice journal has 122 ratings behind it against 17, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 60% of Nice journal's written reviews are positive against 100% of Buddy Journal's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Nice journal versus Buddy Journal: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNice journalBuddy Journal
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (122 ratings)4.8 (17 ratings) — better
Positive reviews60.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings122 — better17
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 months
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size58 MB32 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer风云 余瑞媚 杨

Customer experience

Nice journal

All ratings106 ratings
Positive86.8%
Neutral5.7%
Negative7.5%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive60.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative40.0%

Buddy Journal

All ratings14 ratings
Positive92.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative7.1%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Nice journal

Subscriptions3
  • Plus Version3 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • Quarterly Version3 Days trial$8.993 Months
  • 6 months Version3 Days trial$14.996 Months
3 purchases

Buddy Journal

Subscriptions2
  • Plus version3 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • Plus Quarterly3 Days trial$6.993 Months
One-time1
  • Pro version$9.99

Questions

Is Nice journal free?
Nice journal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Buddy Journal free?
Buddy Journal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Nice journal or Buddy Journal?
Buddy Journal is rated higher. Nice journal averages 4.5 out of 5 from 122 ratings, while Buddy Journal averages 4.8 from 17 ratings.
Do Nice journal or Buddy Journal have ads?
Both Nice journal and Buddy Journal show ads.
Which is updated more often, Nice journal or Buddy Journal?
Nice journal ships an update every 2 months, and Buddy Journal every 2 months. Most recently, Nice journal was updated on November 3, 2026 and Buddy Journal on November 4, 2026.

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