Comparison

My Notes vs General Journal

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

Head to head
About

My Notes

This app allows for freeform handwritten note-taking and drawing on an infinite canvas. It supports file imports and graphic diary creation with image integration, serving as a digital tool for learning and organization.

Highlights
  • Infinite canvas for notes and drawing
  • Handwritten note-taking
  • Graphic diary creation with images
  • File import and annotation
  • Apple Pencil support
  • Paperless learning tool
Features
Read full description

「My Notes」 is a very popular handwritten note application, breaking the paperless learning. Handwritten notes, more convenient for editing notes, The design is simple and can be used for painting. It is another window for learning software and a good helper for sorting out files. You can also edit a graphic diary. Pictures can be added to each diary, not just words. Support file import annotation and other functions, making it more convenient and concise to use. Support Apple pencil, which can be integrated into your process whether you are studying or working. 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://jianxiwu.github.io/posts/jianxi/fuwu Privacy policy : https://jianxiwu.github.io/posts/jianxi/privacy

About

General Journal

Features
Read full description

General Journal brings journaling and expense tracking into one private daily timeline. Write a note, log lunch, scan a receipt, track a habit, or talk through the day with your in-app companion. The app keeps money records and life moments together, so spending has context and diary entries do not live in a separate place. Quick ways to record • Type everyday expenses in one sentence • Scan receipts or Taiwan e-invoice QR codes • Add mood notes, reflections, places, links, and photos • Use AI to help turn text or photos into structured records • Keep recurring income and expenses such as rent, salary, subscriptions, and insurance Review your day • Chat with a small companion that can read the selected day’s records • Save the conversation as a diary entry • Build a Diary Review book with daily highlight cards • Add timeline photos, stickers, backgrounds, and handwritten decoration • Share or keep review cards as personal memories Understand money and rhythm • Manage cash, bank, card, e-wallet, investment, and settlement accounts • Track transfers, credit card payments, friend splits, and multi-currency spending • See category breakdowns, monthly trends, account balances, mood calendars, and photo entries • Create custom trackers for things like weight, skin, hair, habits, or any private metric Privacy first • No app account is required • Core journal, mood, expense, photo, and account data is stored on your device • AI features only process the text or images you choose to send • Export your data and create local backups on your own terms • Ads are never given your private journal or expense content by the app General Journal is for quiet daily logging: not a strict budget spreadsheet, not a social network, and not a blank notes app. It is a place to remember what happened, what it cost, and how it felt. Free to use with ads. Optional in-app purchases unlock higher AI limits, an ad-free experience, more photos per entry, and companion features. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

My Notes4 screens
General Journal4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: General Journal at every 5 days against My Notes's every 2 weeks. On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. My Notes sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and General Journal sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

My Notes ships an update every 2 weeks, General Journal every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on June 4, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
My Notes versus General Journal: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMy NotesGeneral Journal
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (13 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings13 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 5 days — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size55 MB54 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer文龙 林Zhegang Xu

In-app purchases

3 purchases

My Notes

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly VIP3 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • Quarter VIP3 Days trial$4.493 Months
One-time1
  • Pro Version$4.99
2 purchases

General Journal

Subscriptions2
  • General Journal Basic$1.991 Month
  • General Journal Premium$2.991 Month

Questions

Is My Notes free?
My Notes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is General Journal free?
General Journal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do My Notes or General Journal have ads?
Both My Notes and General Journal show ads.
Which is updated more often, My Notes or General Journal?
My Notes ships an update every 2 weeks, and General Journal every 5 days. Most recently, My Notes was updated on June 4, 2026 and General Journal on September 25, 2026.

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