RPG Notebook vs Dnd Character Journal
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
RPG Notebook
This app helps you build worlds, manage your tabletop RPG campaigns, and organize all your notes. It offers customizable entries, linking between ideas, and map management. Keep your game world organized and accessible.
- Campaign management
- Customizable entries with various section types
- Automatic hyperlinking between entries
- Map creation and pin functionality
- Themed templates for different settings
- Extensive icon library
- Backup and export options
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RPG Notebook will help you build worlds, manage campaigns, and keep your notes tightly organized. Here are some of its great features: *CAMPAIGNS: Choose a name, select a theme that matches your setting, and simply start filling it with all your ideas. *ENTRIES: They can be customized any way you like with 8 types of sections (from simple text fields to trackers, checklists, and images) that you can name and place in any order you like. *TEMPLATES: If there's a section arrangement that you like, save it as a template for future use. *HYPERLINKS: When you finish writing something, the app checks if your text contains any phrases that match an existing entry or group name and automatically creates a link for you. *MAPS: Every campaign has a dedicated segment where numerous maps can be added. *MAP PINS: You can add simple note pins or special pins that link to an entry, group, or map. *JOURNAL: Journal notes will help you keep track of important events that happened during your sessions. *THEMES: The fantasy theme is great for the most popular tabletop RPG systems like dnd 5e or pathfinder, but the app also has themes for other settings: cthulhu, sci-fi, cyberpunk, post-apocalyptic, steampunk and wuxia. *ICONS: There are over 4000 built-in icons and 40 colors that you can use in your entries, but you can also add your own. *BACKUP: You can create a backup file and store it locally or export it so it can be shared with other devices. *MODES: Both light and dark modes are supported. *EVERYTHING IN YOUR POCKET: No more forgotten or lost notes. You will always be prepared for the next session or be able to immediately write down ideas that suddenly come to your mind wherever you are! :)
Dnd Character Journal
This app helps Dungeons & Dragons 5e players manage their characters and campaign world. It offers tools for downtime activities, character development, and campaign documentation, with an optional premium upgrade for more features.
- Downtime activity completion
- Character backstory prompts
- Campaign world documentation
- Session note-taking
- In-session inspiration
- Share downtime results
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Dnd Character Journal allows 5e players to engage with their characters and the larger campaign world like never before! Using this app, you can: – Complete downtime activities such as searching for treasure, competing in an archery contest, or crafting your signature magic item. – Develop your character through backstory prompts and fun role-play questions. – Document the campaign and larger world using the organized journal area. – Write session recaps and impromptu notes. – Earn inspiration by completing tasks between each session. – Share the results of your downtime with your group and DM. All with the click of a button! Upgrade to the premium version (one-time purchase) for additional features and customization: – Unlimited character slots – Additional character token customization All completely offline! No ads, no signups, no hassle. Simple and easy to use. (Token art by Ben Chang, @BChangArt)
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Dnd Character Journal at 4.8 against RPG Notebook's 4.0. Dnd Character Journal also leads on ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.6). RPG Notebook's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 3 months) and review sentiment (69% vs 60%). 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
Both are free to download. RPG Notebook sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Dnd Character Journal sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Dnd Character Journal holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 51 and 11 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 69% of RPG Notebook's written reviews are positive against 60% of Dnd Character Journal's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
RPG Notebook ships an update monthly, Dnd Character Journal every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | RPG Notebook | Dnd Character Journal |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.0 (51 ratings) | 4.8 (11 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 69.4% of reviews — better | 60.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 51 — better | 11 |
| Update frequency | Monthly — better | Every 3 months |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 198 MB | 61 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | Marta Fecio | Michael Wu |
Customer experience
RPG Notebook
Dnd Character Journal
Bugs and requests
RPG Notebook
Reported bugs
6 issues- App crashes completely after recent updates
- App gets stuck on the home page after an update
- Backup restoration fails, showing a loading wheel indefinitely
- App force closes during note-taking, losing progress
- Ads cannot be closed without opening their links
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- App no longer opens completely before crashing out
Requested features
24 requests- Journal functionality for play-by-post games (disable name links)
- Italicize text and other text editor functions
- Trackers that reset to zero for accumulation
- World building tools to combine campaigns
- Link campaigns together for NPC referencing
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- Output to PDF
- Dedicated NPC section
- Draw on uploaded maps
- Always allow option for pasting from other apps
- Font size adjustment for descriptions
- Ability to invite or share notes with other players
- Inventory management with counters
- Add images or thumbnails to entries
- Organize maps into groups
- Allow icon links in maps to lead to other maps
- Better map linking to zoom into specific spots
- More markers for points of interest on maps
- Add scenes that are not maps
- List NPCs for points of interest
- Attach NPCs to certain maps
- Cloud sharing or accounts for cross-device sync
- Share link for a campaign
- DM view with hidden notes/locations
- Formatted preview of all entry content at once
Dnd Character Journal
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
RPG Notebook
- Premium$4.99
Dnd Character Journal
- Premium Version$1.99
Questions
Is RPG Notebook free?
Is Dnd Character Journal free?
Which has better reviews, RPG Notebook or Dnd Character Journal?
Do RPG Notebook or Dnd Character Journal have ads?
Which is updated more often, RPG Notebook or Dnd Character Journal?
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