# Empath vs Rune Journal

The clearest difference is update cadence: Empath at every 4 days against Rune Journal's monthly. Empath also leads on ratings volume (6 vs 2). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Empath sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Rune Journal sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Empath against 5.0 for Rune Journal. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 6 and 2 respectively.

Empath ships an update every 4 days, Rune Journal monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Empath | Rune Journal |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [5.0 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/empath-private-journal/id6472873287/reviews) | [5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rune-journal/id6742863512/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **6** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 days** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Freemium | Freemium |
| Size | 84 MB | 3 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18 | **17.6** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Div Khare](https://appshunter.io/developer/1718006882) | [Faz Azad](https://appshunter.io/developer/1794022213) |

## What reviewers say

### Empath

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/empath-private-journal/id6472873287)

This app helps you untangle your thoughts and gain clarity by providing a secure space for journaling. It offers AI-driven insights, integrates with health data, and maps emotions using feeling and intensity dimensions. It can also serve as a companion for therapy sessions.

**Highlights:** Secure AI-powered insights, Health data integration, Mood mapping (feeling & intensity), Therapist companion feature, Private and secure journaling, Thought untangling and clarity

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Empath Plus Monthly | $2.99 | per month |
| Premium Monthly | $6.99 | per month |
| Empath Plus Yearly | $29.99 | per year |
| Premium Annual | $49.99 | per year |


### Rune Journal

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rune-journal/id6742863512)

This private AI journal helps you understand your days, moods, and patterns through freeform writing, AI insights, and guided reflection. Track entries with tags and search, and secure your thoughts with device-level protection. Premium features offer photo memories and deeper analysis.

**Highlights:** AI-powered insights and prompts, Distraction-free writing space, Mood and pattern tracking, Passcode and biometric security, Journal chat assistant, Photo memories (Premium)

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Premium | $2.99 | per month |
| Yearly Premium | $24.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Empath free?

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

### Is Rune Journal free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Empath or Rune Journal?

Empath and Rune Journal are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 6 and 2 ratings respectively.

### Do Empath or Rune Journal have ads?

Neither Empath nor Rune Journal shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Empath or Rune Journal?

Empath ships an update every 4 days, and Rune Journal monthly. Most recently, Empath was updated on October 24, 2026 and Rune Journal on October 21, 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.*