Comparison

Years Journal vs MODE Notes

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

Head to head
About

Years Journal

This app allows you to record your daily thoughts and emotions, and revisit past entries for the same date. You can attach photos, search your history, and enjoy a visually organized calendar view. Automatic backups and multi-device support ensure your memories are always accessible.

Highlights
  • Write and display journal entries
  • Attach photos to entries
  • Calendar view of entries
  • Search past entries
  • Automatic data backup
  • Multi-device viewing and editing
  • Dark mode and theme customization
Features
Read full description

Revisit this day in past years. See journal entries from the same date, year by year. Write about today with words and photos, then look back at what you were doing on this day before. Features • Entries from the same date, grouped by year • Journal entries with text and photos • A calendar for choosing a date • Search by words you remember • A photo album that opens the entry from that day • Automatic data backup and viewing and editing across devices • Theme colors and dark mode • Passcode lock On supported devices, set a passcode first, then enable Face ID or Touch ID in Settings → Lock. Backup and use across devices require an account and an internet connection. A Premium subscription is available to remove ads. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://lightnet328.notion.site/Years-Privacy-Policy-2cfa38e8fd534d96931fd95bcd22770d

About

MODE Notes

Features
Read full description

Finally! Cloud sync version! So convenient! Plain text app! Lucky words, Favorite words on your home screen! 2 formats of Middle size widget. Cloud sync is supported. Even with cloud sync, data loss is still a concern. So... Very easy backup and restore! "What MODE is this job, now?!" "What works for today?" Simple but useful note app, inspired by bulletin notes and agile development. Focus on "TODAY", easy to manage progression(MODE). Prepare for the morning session, using it like a personal task board! Main features: Widget supported( Small, Middle, Large ). Favorite words on home screen (Shows large note-title in mid-size widget - Only one "Widget - ON" note). Backup and import/restore capability(Open from File-App). Progress(MODE) Management Flexible notes list(Titles only/All texts, Filters, 4 Selectable display orders). Export functions(Individual/Multiple, Text/CSV). Lock function to prevent accidental changes(URL link active). 7-step font sizes. 22 screen-colors setting. Progress(MODE) Management d Handle 5 items of "Date", "MODE(means progression, 7 types)", "Categories(17 types)", "Title" and "Content" in one note. d By setting "MODE", capable for progress management. d With the "Carryover" function, you can register new duplicates after the next day. d One-shot MODE filter: Display only the notes of the specified MODE with one tap of the MODE icon at the bottom of the list screen. d Category filter: Tap the category icon at the bottom left of the list screen to display only the notes of the specified category. d Always displays the current day at startup, and you can return to today's display at any time. Flexible notes list d Tap on "Titles only / All" slide , the list switches Titles-only display and Full-text display. d At the same time, switches Titles-only search and Full-text search. Export functions d EXPORT to one simple text file from one note. d EXPORT to single CSV file or simple one or multiple text files from multiple notes. Disclaimer Please note that we are not responsible for any loss or damage caused by using this software. Subscriptions Please see below for the terms and conditions for using the subscription. 怀1. Privacy Policy: https://note.com/modenotes/n/ne04119184e6f 怀2. END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Years Journal4 screens
MODE Notes4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Years Journal at none against MODE Notes's 2. Years Journal also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 4 months) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 18.0). MODE Notes's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Ā· Rating Ā· Positive reviews Ā· Number of ratings Ā· Update frequency Ā· Ads Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Monetization Ā· Best chart rank Ā· Devices Ā· Requires iOS

CostPrice Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Ads Ā· Monetization

Both are free to download. MODE Notes sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Years Journal asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Years Journal ships an update every 2 weeks, MODE Notes every 4 months. Both last shipped on October 30, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences Ā· 4 level
Years Journal versus MODE Notes: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterYears JournalMODE Notes
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviews72.7% of reviews—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 4 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.1 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size29 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperYutaro KidoImagineSpark Inc.

In-app purchases

None

Years Journal

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

MODE Notes

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Entitlement14 Days trial$0.991 Month
  • Yearly Entitlement14 Days trial$9.991 Year

Questions

Is Years Journal free?
Years Journal is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is MODE Notes free?
MODE Notes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Years Journal or MODE Notes have ads?
Years Journal shows ads; MODE Notes does not.
Which is updated more often, Years Journal or MODE Notes?
Years Journal ships an update every 2 weeks, and MODE Notes every 4 months. Most recently, Years Journal was updated on October 30, 2026 and MODE Notes on October 30, 2026.

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