Comparison

Grid Diary Classic vs Gratitude by GratefulDay

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

Head to head
About

Grid Diary Classic

This journaling app offers a unique grid-based format with prompts to overcome writer's block. It allows for photo attachments, full-text search, and health data integration. Advanced features like passcode lock and cloud sync are available through a subscription or one-time purchase.

Highlights
  • Unique grid format for journaling
  • Prompt library for writing inspiration
  • Photo attachment to entries
  • Full text search functionality
  • Backup and restore options
  • HealthKit integration for steps and calories
Read full description

NOTICE: A new generation of Grid Diary has been released, and this version will stop updating on Dec 31, 2019. Please visit https://diary-help.sumi.io/migrate-from-classic/ to learn more. ====== Featured by Apple in New & Noteworthy and What’s Hot! "Grid Diary is a new way to look at journaling." - AppAdvice "It’s a well-designed, good-looking and intuitive app with a clear purpose." - InsideMobileApps Watch Grid Diary in action: http://vimeo.com/sumisumi/grid-diary-3 Did you ever try to keep a diary but never succeeded? Or did you have writer's block problem? Grid Diary is here for you. Grid Diary is introducing a unique way of writing a diary. In Grid Diary, diary entry is made up of a number of "Grids", which is as simple as a question, prompt, or etc. It is like a pre-defined template for the diary. Thinking and writing in this way is more effective, and it feels more natural and fluid. You still have total freedom in the amount of the grid and the text you want to fill in a grid. We started with a simple and clear purpose, and have always kept minimal design in mind. Through carefully crafted gestures, Grid Diary enhanced user experience in many ways. === FEATURES === • Unique grid format • Prompt library for writing inspirations • Photo attachment • Reading mode • Full text search-able • Backup and restore • Cloud input • Record daily number of steps and calorie consumption(via HealthKit) === PRO FEATURES === • Passcode lock • Sync (iCloud Drive / Dropbox / WebDAV) • Export in various formats • Multiple reminders • Customizable font styles • Night mode • Export to Evernote / Dropbox • Text formatting tools Pro is available in two pricing models: 1. $9.99 for one time purchase 2. $2.49 monthly subscription Please note that price may vary by location. Subscriptions will be charged to your credit card through your iTunes account. Your subscription will automatically renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You will not be able to cancel the subscription once activated. Manage your subscriptions in Account Settings after purchase. ---- Having any problems? Any suggestions? We would love to hear from you! You can reach us at support at: • Website http://griddiaryapp.com • Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GridDiary • Twitter https://twitter.com/GridDiary ---- Privacy Policy: https://griddiaryapp.com/support/privacy Terms of Service: https://griddiaryapp.com/support/terms

About

Gratitude by GratefulDay

Cultivate a daily gratitude habit with this user-friendly journal app. Transform your perspective on life, reduce stress, and improve sleep quality. Unlock exclusive content and embark on a journey to a happier, healthier you.

Highlights
  • Daily gratitude habit cultivation
  • User-friendly interface
  • Reduced stress and anxiety
  • Improved sleep quality
  • Enhanced emotional well-being
  • Exclusive podcast and boutique content
Features
Read full description

Welcome to the original Gratitude Journal app, Designed to help you cultivate a daily gratitude habit with its simple design, user-friendly interface, and enjoyable experience, Gratitude becomes a habit that transforms your perspective on life. Here's what people are saying: • "I tell all my friends to get this. It's changed my life!" - Frank S., Brisbane. • "I've tried every diary app out there, and Gratitude is by far the best." - Maria M., NYC. Discover the proven benefits of practicing gratitude: • Experience reduced stress and anxiety • Enjoy better-quality sleep • Strengthen relationships with loved ones • Boost self-confidence • Enhance emotional well-being • Improve focus at work and play • Accelerate your career growth Unlock more goodness with our exclusive content: • GratefulDay™: The Podcast — inspiring stories & mindful moments • Gratitude.Boutique™ — curated finds to elevate your gratitude journey Download and embark on a transformative journey to train your mind for a healthier, happier life. Join the community of gratitude seekers and unlock the power of thankfulness. Your life-changing adventure begins here! Gratitude Yearly Subscription • Length of Subscription: 1 year • Price: $12.00 USD per year • Terms of Use: https://www.gratefulday.app/terms • Privacy Policy: https://www.gratefulday.app/privacy-policy

Screenshots

Grid Diary Classic4 screens
Gratitude by GratefulDay4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Grid Diary Classic at freemium against Gratitude by GratefulDay's subscription. Grid Diary Classic also leads on review sentiment (77% vs 54%) and rating (4.4 vs 4.1). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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. Grid Diary Classic sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.49 per month and Gratitude by GratefulDay sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $12.00 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Grid Diary Classic holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 774 and 348 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 77% of Grid Diary Classic's written reviews are positive against 54% of Gratitude by GratefulDay's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Grid Diary Classic ships an update every 3 weeks, Gratitude by GratefulDay every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Grid Diary Classic versus Gratitude by GratefulDay: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGrid Diary ClassicGratitude by GratefulDay
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (774 ratings) — better4.1 (348 ratings)
Positive reviews76.6% of reviews — better53.6% of reviews
Number of ratings774 — better348
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS9.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size94 MB56 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSumi InteractiveSteve Pearson

Customer experience

Grid Diary Classic

All ratings773 ratings
Positive86.0%
Neutral4.5%
Negative9.4%
Written reviews1,152 reviews
Positive76.6%
Neutral6.3%
Negative17.1%

Gratitude by GratefulDay

All ratings348 ratings
Positive78.2%
Neutral5.2%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews237 reviews
Positive53.6%
Neutral9.7%
Negative36.7%

User reviews

Grid Diary Classic

From 774 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Simple and easy to use
  • 📝 Helps with daily reflection and journaling
  • 🎨 Clean and minimalist design
  • 🔍 Customizable prompts and templates
  • 🌐 Syncs across devices

Room to improve

  • 🔒 Paid version required for password protection
  • 🖼️ Limited photo storage in free version
  • 🌐 Sync issues for some users
  • 💰 Concerns over transition to subscription model
  • 🐛 Occasional crashes and bugs

Gratitude by GratefulDay

From 348 App Store ratings

What we love

  • ⭐ Excellent gratitude journal app
  • 📷 Ability to add photos
  • 🌟 Helps build a habit of gratitude
  • 💬 Inspiring quotes and prompts
  • 🗓️ Ability to look back on past entries

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Buggy and crashes frequently
  • 🔒 Concerns about privacy and data usage
  • 💰 Paid subscription model after being free
  • 🔍 Difficulty editing or correcting entries
  • 🔍 Issues with syncing across devices

Bugs and requests

Grid Diary Classic

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Upgrade issues and failed purchases
  • Entries disappearing or being deleted
  • Compatibility problems with newer iOS versions

Requested features

5 requests
  • More font and color customization options
  • Integration with calendar and other apps
  • Ability to export/backup journal entries
  • More emotion/mood options
  • Desktop/web version

Gratitude by GratefulDay

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • App crashes when trying to add/edit photos
  • Entries disappearing or not saving properly
  • Syncing and login issues
  • Compatibility problems with newer iOS versions
  • Notification badges not clearing correctly

Requested features

5 requests
  • Offline mode
  • Ability to export/backup entries
  • More customization options
  • Improved search and filtering
  • Integration with other apps and services

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Grid Diary Classic

Subscriptions1
  • Pro Subscription$2.491 Month
One-time1
  • Upgrade to Pro$9.99
1 purchases

Gratitude by GratefulDay

Subscriptions1
  • Gratitude Journal1 Month trial$12.001 Year

Questions

Is Grid Diary Classic free?
Grid Diary Classic is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Gratitude by GratefulDay free?
Gratitude by GratefulDay is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Grid Diary Classic or Gratitude by GratefulDay?
Grid Diary Classic is rated higher. Grid Diary Classic averages 4.4 out of 5 from 774 ratings, while Gratitude by GratefulDay averages 4.1 from 348 ratings.
Do Grid Diary Classic or Gratitude by GratefulDay have ads?
Neither Grid Diary Classic nor Gratitude by GratefulDay shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Grid Diary Classic or Gratitude by GratefulDay?
Grid Diary Classic ships an update every 3 weeks, and Gratitude by GratefulDay every 2 weeks. Most recently, Grid Diary Classic was updated on November 6, 2026 and Gratitude by GratefulDay on November 2, 2026.

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