# Years Journal vs MODE Notes

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.

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.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | Years Journal | MODE Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Positive reviews | 72.7% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 29 MB | 2 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.1** | 18.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Yutaro Kido](https://appshunter.io/developer/1723812412) | [ImagineSpark Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1517195068) |

## What reviewers say

### Years Journal

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/years-journal/id6475282813)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### MODE Notes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mode-notes-plaintxtbulletjnl/id6746349947)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Entitlement | $0.99 | per month |
| Yearly Entitlement | $9.99 | per year |


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