# Throwback vs Custom Journal

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Throwback at none against Custom Journal's 2. Throwback also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.2). Custom Journal's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 15 months). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Custom Journal sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Throwback asks for nothing beyond the download.

Throwback ships an update every 15 months, Custom Journal every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Throwback | Custom Journal |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[2.8 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/custom-journal-your-prompts/id6670210508/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **4** |
| Positive reviews | — | 40.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 15 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | — | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 49 MB | 11 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 17.2 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Thomas Turner](https://appshunter.io/developer/1610930426) | [Mia Benn](https://appshunter.io/developer/1707165051) |

## What reviewers say

### Throwback

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/throwback-reflection-diary/id6443944478)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Custom Journal

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/custom-journal-your-prompts/id6670210508)

Design and organize personalized journaling prompts and routines. This minimalist app offers full control over your journaling experience, allowing you to create prompts tailored to your life. Store entries locally for privacy and easily search or export them.

**Highlights:** Create custom prompts, Organize prompts into routines, Flexible journaling routines, Local and secure data storage, Search past entries, Export journal entries

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro Plan | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| Pro Plan | $22.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Throwback free?

Throwback is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Custom Journal free?

Custom Journal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Throwback or Custom Journal have ads?

Neither Throwback nor Custom Journal shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Throwback or Custom Journal?

Throwback ships an update every 15 months, and Custom Journal every 2 months. Most recently, Throwback was updated on November 3, 2026 and Custom Journal on November 4, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*