Comparison

Cute 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

Cute Journal

Create a personalized digital journal with customizable backgrounds and materials. Secure your entries with a lock and enjoy ample space for all your thoughts. Offers various national and minimalist styles.

Highlights
  • Customizable backgrounds and materials
  • Book-like cover customization
  • Variety of national and minimalist styles
  • Large writing capacity
  • Secure and private entries
  • Lock feature for privacy
Features
Read full description

Cute journal is a lovely national style diary application. If you also like to keep a rich diary, don't miss it. [App Features] * Simple production, choose favorite background, choose favorite material, you can write a unique hand ledger of your own; * Book-like cover, you can customize your own pocket book cover, like opening a book every time; * Various styles of material, national style, lovely, minimalist, there is always your favorite material; * Large capacity, can write a lot of books oh; * Safe and private, you can set them to yourself and keep them in a safe place. This subscription will be automatically renewed through your iTunes account, with the renewal fee deducted from your plan within 24 hours prior to the end of the current subscription period. You can manage or cancel automatic renewal at the Account Settings office at least 24 hours before the current subscription period ends. If your trial does not end, the remaining days will automatically expire after you start your subscription. To open a subscription, you agree to the following terms: The terms of service: https://zhenwusw.github.io/posts/junzhen/fuwu Privacy policy: https://zhenwusw.github.io/posts/junzhen/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

Cute Journal4 screens
Buddy Journal4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Cute Journal at every 3 weeks against Buddy Journal's every 2 months. Cute Journal also leads on ratings volume (133 vs 17) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). Buddy Journal's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 88%). On price, rating, 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. Cute Journal sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.49 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

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Cute Journal against 4.8 for Buddy Journal. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Cute Journal has 133 ratings behind it against 17, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 88% of Cute Journal's written reviews are positive against 100% of Buddy Journal's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Cute Journal ships an update every 3 weeks, Buddy Journal every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Cute Journal versus Buddy Journal: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCute JournalBuddy Journal
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (133 ratings)4.8 (17 ratings) — better
Positive reviews88.1% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings133 — better17
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 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
Size43 MB32 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer俊镇 吴瑞媚 杨

Customer experience

Cute Journal

All ratings110 ratings
Positive90.9%
Neutral3.6%
Negative5.5%
Written reviews42 reviews
Positive88.1%
Neutral4.8%
Negative7.1%

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

Cute Journal

Subscriptions3
  • Plus Version3 Days trial$4.491 Month
  • Quarterly Plus3 Days trial$9.493 Months
  • Half a year Plus3 Days trial$12.496 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 Cute Journal free?
Cute 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, Cute Journal or Buddy Journal?
Buddy Journal is rated higher. Cute Journal averages 4.6 out of 5 from 133 ratings, while Buddy Journal averages 4.8 from 17 ratings.
Do Cute Journal or Buddy Journal have ads?
Both Cute Journal and Buddy Journal show ads.
Which is updated more often, Cute Journal or Buddy Journal?
Cute Journal ships an update every 3 weeks, and Buddy Journal every 2 months. Most recently, Cute Journal was updated on November 3, 2026 and Buddy Journal on November 4, 2026.

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