Comparison

Journal vs Journal for iPad

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

Head to head
About

Journal

This app allows users to create a personal diary with a variety of cute stickers and backgrounds. It offers automatic saving of drafts, password protection for privacy, and the ability to insert photos. The app is also optimized for iPad use.

Highlights
  • Customizable stickers and backgrounds
  • Automatic draft saving
  • Password protection for privacy
  • iPad support with Apple Pencil
  • Photo insertion for diary entries
Features
Read full description

Journal, record the unrepeatable moments carefully. Journal is a diary designed for journal enthusiasts. You can use cute stickers and backgrounds as your Journal. As an interesting journaling app, Journal looks forward to recording warm times with you! [Journal Features] -Super many materials: stickers and backgrounds are updated regularly, and there are new surprises every time you make a diary. -Drafts: Save the content of your Journal automatically, so you can no longer be afraid of losing your journal. -Security privacy: You can set a password for the app to protect your secret space. -Support for iPad: It is easier to edit journals with a large screen and an apple pencil. -Photo record: The diary supports inserting photos to retain beautiful moments. This subscription will be automatically renewed through your iTunes account, and the renewal fee will be deducted according to your package within 24 hours before the end of the current subscription period. You can manage or cancel the automatic renewal at the Account Settings Department. To cancel the automatic renewal, you must at least 24 hours before the end of the current subscription period. If your trial has not ended, the remaining days will automatically expire after you start subscribing. To open the subscription, you need to agree to the following terms: Terms of Service: https://keshoujie.github.io/posts/keshoujie/fuwu Privacy terms: https://keshoujie.github.io/posts/keshoujie/privacy

About

Journal for iPad

This app provides a private digital space for journaling on your iPad. It offers features like mood tracking, daily prompts, and photo integration to help you capture thoughts and memories. Security options like Face ID ensure your entries remain confidential.

Highlights
  • Private diary with Face ID/passcode lock
  • Mood tracker with history
  • Daily writing prompts
  • Photo and media support
  • Search and tag entries
  • iCloud sync
  • Apple Pencil support
Features
Read full description

Journal for iPad - Diary+ is your personal writing space, designed exclusively for iPad. Whether you're tracking daily thoughts, recording memories, or building a gratitude practice, this app makes it effortless. WRITE with pencil or keyboard Capture your thoughts, moods, and memories in a clean, distraction-free editor. Add photos to bring your entries to life. STAY PRIVATE Protect your journal with Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode. Your entries are yours alone. DAILY PROMPTS Never face a blank page. Thoughtful prompts inspire reflection and help you build a consistent writing habit. MOOD TRACKING Log how you feel each day and discover patterns over time. Understand what lifts your mood and what drains it. ORGANIZED & SEARCHABLE Tag entries, search instantly, and browse by date. Find any memory in seconds. iPAD OPTIMIZED Built for the large iPad screen with a split-view layout, Apple Pencil support, and keyboard shortcuts. KEY FEATURES: - Daily journal & diary entries - Private diary with Face ID / passcode lock - Mood tracker with history - Daily writing prompts - Photo & media support - Search & tags - Widgets for quick entry - iCloud sync across devices - Apple Pencil support Start your journaling journey today. Support: hello@britetodo.com Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://britetodo.com/legal/PrivacyPolicyBrite.pdf

Screenshots

Journal4 screens

Verdict

The call

Journal and Journal for iPad both sit at 4.6 stars, but that hides the real split: 90% of Journal's written reviews are positive against 0% of Journal for iPad's. Journal also leads on ratings volume (1.8K vs 132) and device support (3 vs 1). Journal for iPad's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 2 days vs every 6 weeks). On price, rating, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Journal sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Journal for iPad sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per 7 days. 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 Journal against 4.5 for Journal for iPad. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Journal has 1.8K ratings behind it against 132, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 90% of Journal's written reviews are positive against 0% of Journal for iPad's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Journal ships an update every 6 weeks, Journal for iPad every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Journal versus Journal for iPad: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterJournalJournal for iPad
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (1.8K ratings) — better4.5 (132 ratings)
Positive reviews89.7% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings1.8K — better132
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 2 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPad
Requires iOS15.6 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size45 MB36 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer受杰 柯Brite Technologies LLC

Customer experience

Journal

All ratings1,523 ratings
Positive90.6%
Neutral4.5%
Negative4.9%
Written reviews243 reviews
Positive89.7%
Neutral6.2%
Negative4.1%

Journal for iPad

All ratings68 ratings
Positive88.2%
Neutral2.9%
Negative8.8%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral33.3%
Negative66.7%

Bugs and requests

Journal

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App crashes when trying to reopen saved pages
  • Stickers not displaying properly in some cases
  • Sync issues causing data loss

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add more free stickers and customization options
  • Improve syncing and backup functionality
  • Allow creating custom backgrounds and stickers
  • Introduce a dark mode option

Journal for iPad

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Journal

Subscriptions2
  • Plus Version3 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • Plus Version3 Days trial$4.993 Months
One-time1
  • Pro Version$8.99
11 purchases

Journal for iPad

Subscriptions2
  • Journal Premium Weekly$5.997 Days
  • Journal Premium Yearly3 Days trial$19.991 Year
One-time9
  • Self-Care Stickers$1.99
  • Paper Backgrounds$2.99
  • The Morning Pages Month$6.99
Show 6 more
  • Gratitude, Specifically$6.99
  • 30 Days to Clear Your Head$7.99
  • Say It Straight$7.99
  • Shadow Work: 30 Sessions$7.99
  • The Worry Trial$7.99
  • Lifetime Premium$39.99

Questions

Is Journal free?
Journal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Journal for iPad free?
Journal for iPad is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Journal or Journal for iPad?
Journal is rated higher. Journal averages 4.6 out of 5 from 1.8K ratings, while Journal for iPad averages 4.5 from 132 ratings.
Do Journal or Journal for iPad have ads?
Journal shows ads; Journal for iPad does not.
Which is updated more often, Journal or Journal for iPad?
Journal ships an update every 6 weeks, and Journal for iPad every 2 days. Most recently, Journal was updated on October 27, 2026 and Journal for iPad on October 31, 2026.

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