Comparison

Sounds True vs Ephemeral Journal

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

Head to head
About

Sounds True

Access a vast library of online courses, audio programs, and exclusive content from world-renowned experts in mindfulness, healing, and personal growth. Connect with a global community, join live events, and explore a variety of wellness practices to support your journey inward.

Highlights
  • Access purchased courses and audio programs
  • Sounds True One membership content
  • Live Q&As and interviews with experts
  • Global community for connection and discussion
  • Immersive virtual retreats
  • Weekly group meditations
  • Variety of wellness practices
Features
Read full description

The Sounds True app is home to your entire Sounds True experience, from the online courses and audio programs you've purchased to the Sounds True One membership, including original series, guided practices, and live events with hundreds of world-renowned experts in mindfulness, healing, and personal growth. YOUR SOUNDS TRUE LIBRARY Access the online courses and audio programs you've purchased from Sounds True's 41 years of publishing — all in one place, available on-demand, on any device. SOUNDS TRUE ONE MEMBERSHIP Sounds True One is a global membership community committed to growth, healing, and connection, with unique learning opportunities from the world's most celebrated wisdom teachers and best-selling authors, including Caroline Myss, Pema Chödrön, Jack Kornfield, Thich Nhat Hanh, Adyashanti, Peter Levine, Gabor Maté, Richard C. Schwartz, and many more. Membership includes: ● Wisdom from World-Renowned Experts — Learn from leading voices in well-being, mindfulness, and personal growth. ● Exclusive Live Q&As & Interviews — Engage directly with sought-after teachers through interactive conversations and events. ● A Global Community — Share reflections, ask questions, and connect with members worldwide through live meditations and practice groups. ● Immersive Virtual Retreats — Join live, transformative retreats to cultivate self-awareness and growth. ● Weekly Group Meditations — Enhance your practice with meditations led by beloved Sounds True teachers and authors. ● A Variety of Wellness Practices — Explore meditation, mindful movement, qi gong and other techniques to support your well-being. ● Monthly Guided Experiences — A new theme each month to support your spiritual growth and self-discovery. ● Exclusive Original Series — Dive into our award-winning programs like Mystics Today, In the Flow, and Being with You. ● Special Member Discounts* — Get 20% off Sounds True online courses, plus exclusive event and course invitations. In just a few minutes a day, Sounds True can help you feel more connected to yourself and the world around you. Download today and continue your journey inward. - ▷ Already a Member? Sign-In to access your subscription. ▷ New? Subscribe in the app to get instant access. Sounds True offers auto-renewing subscriptions. You'll receive unlimited access to content on all your devices. Payment is charged to your account at confirmation of purchase. Pricing varies by location and is confirmed prior to purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current billing period, or the trial period (when offered). Cancel anytime in Account Settings. For more information see our: Terms of Use: https://product.soundstrue.com/terms-and-conditions/ Privacy Policy: https://product.soundstrue.com/privacy-policy/ Customer Support: membership@soundstrue.com

About

Ephemeral Journal

This minimalist diary app offers a secure and private space for your thoughts. Entries are automatically deleted after 24 hours and stored locally, ensuring your reflections remain yours alone. Enjoy a distraction-free writing experience with customizable themes and daily prompts.

Highlights
  • Local storage
  • Biometric authentication
  • 24-hour entry deletion
  • Minimalist design
  • Daily writing prompts
  • Customizable themes
Features
Read full description

Ephemeral Journal: Your Private, Secure, and Ephemeral Diary Looking for a safe space to capture your thoughts, feelings, and ideas without worrying about privacy? Ephemeral Journal offers a minimalist journaling experience focused on security and simplicity. Key Features: Privacy First: All your entries are stored locally on your device and secured with biometric authentication (Face ID/Touch ID). No data is ever stored on servers or shared with third parties. Ephemeral Entries: Embrace the freedom of writing without permanence. Entries are automatically deleted after 24 hours, encouraging honest and uninhibited expression. Minimalist Design: A clean, intuitive interface that lets you focus on what matters—your writing. Daily Writing Prompts: Kickstart your journaling with thought-provoking prompts that inspire reflection. Customizable Themes: Personalize your journaling experience with a selection of elegant themes and color schemes. Distraction-Free Writing: No ads, no clutter—just you and your thoughts. Why Choose Ephemeral Journal? No Accounts or Sign-Ups: Start journaling immediately without the hassle of creating an account or remembering a password. 100% Offline: Write anytime, anywhere. Ephemeral Journal doesn't require an internet connection. Automatic Data Deletion: Maintain peace of mind knowing your entries won't linger indefinitely. Who Is Ephemeral Journal For? Mindfulness Practitioners: Enhance your mindfulness routine by jotting down daily reflections. Writers and Creatives: Capture fleeting ideas and inspirations without overthinking. Privacy-Conscious Users: Enjoy a secure space that's truly yours. Support and Feedback We value your feedback! If you have any questions or suggestions, please reach out to us.

Screenshots

Sounds True4 screens
Ephemeral Journal4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Ephemeral Journal at 100% against Sounds True's 26%. Ephemeral Journal also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.6) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months). Sounds True's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (1.2K vs 3). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support 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. Sounds True sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per month and Ephemeral Journal sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Ephemeral Journal holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Sounds True has 1.2K ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 26% of Sounds True's written reviews are positive against 100% of Ephemeral Journal's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Sounds True ships an update every 2 months, Ephemeral Journal fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Sounds True versus Ephemeral Journal: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSounds TrueEphemeral Journal
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (1.2K ratings)5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews25.7% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1.2K — better3
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size71 MB10 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperSounds TrueJoshua Scott Weesner

Customer experience

Sounds True

All ratings1,225 ratings
Positive90.0%
Neutral1.8%
Negative8.2%
Written reviews105 reviews
Positive25.7%
Neutral12.4%
Negative61.9%

Ephemeral Journal

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Sounds True

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Unable to access purchased courses
  • App freezes and becomes unresponsive
  • Inconsistent login and password issues

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add search functionality to easily find content
  • Allow background audio playback when app is closed
  • Improve offline access to purchased content
  • Provide better integration between app and website

Ephemeral Journal

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Sounds True

Subscriptions4
  • Monthly All Access$19.991 Month
  • Monthly7 Days trial$19.991 Month
  • Annual7 Days trial$179.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Yearly All Access$189.001 Year
1 purchases

Ephemeral Journal

One-time1
  • Remove Ads$0.99

Questions

Is Sounds True free?
Sounds True is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Ephemeral Journal free?
Ephemeral Journal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Sounds True or Ephemeral Journal?
Ephemeral Journal is rated higher. Sounds True averages 4.6 out of 5 from 1.2K ratings, while Ephemeral Journal averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.
Do Sounds True or Ephemeral Journal have ads?
Ephemeral Journal shows ads; Sounds True does not.
Which is updated more often, Sounds True or Ephemeral Journal?
Sounds True ships an update every 2 months, and Ephemeral Journal fortnightly. Most recently, Sounds True was updated on November 7, 2026 and Ephemeral Journal on November 4, 2026.

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