# Mental Note vs Journal

The clearest difference is rating: Journal at 5.0 against Mental Note's 1.0. Journal also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3). Mental Note's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months). On price, ratings volume, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Mental Note sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Journal asks for nothing beyond the download.

Journal holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 1.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 1 respectively.

Mental Note ships an update weekly, Journal every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Mental Note | Journal |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [1.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mental-note-ai-mood-diary/id6460934704/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/journal-reminders-and-notes/id6786935221/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 12 MB | 8 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Exhalo](https://appshunter.io/developer/1683499451) | [Tag Studios Limited Liability Company](https://appshunter.io/developer/6786935223) |

## What reviewers say

### Mental Note

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mental-note-ai-mood-diary/id6460934704)

This app uses AI-powered semantic analysis to help you understand your emotions and thoughts through journaling. Record daily musings and reflections to gain personalized insights into your personal development and self-awareness. Your entries are encrypted and securely stored for privacy.

**Highlights:** AI-enhanced semantic analysis, Sentiment and tone evaluation, Personalized insights, Encrypted and secure storage, Selective data sharing options, Daily musings and reflections

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Weekly | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Weekly | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Mental Journal Premium | $29.99 | per 3 months |


### Journal

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/journal-reminders-and-notes/id6786935221)

A private, offline diary and notes app that keeps your thoughts secure on your device. Write freely, set custom reminders, and track your progress with a distraction-free editor. Everything is encrypted and stored locally for ultimate privacy.

**Highlights:** Private offline diary, Secure with Face ID/Touch ID/passcode, Encrypted local storage, Customizable reminders, Home screen widget for quick capture, Mood and tag tracking, Writing streak and mood trend analysis

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Mental Note free?

Mental Note is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Journal free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Mental Note or Journal?

Journal is rated higher. Mental Note averages 1.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Journal averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Mental Note or Journal have ads?

Neither Mental Note nor Journal shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Mental Note or Journal?

Mental Note ships an update weekly, and Journal every 2 months. Most recently, Mental Note was updated on November 3, 2026 and Journal on October 31, 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.*