First diary, Theme Diary vs MODE Notes
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
First diary, Theme Diary
This app helps you journal your daily experiences with themes, emotions, and media. Record events with photos, videos, and location, and organize them privately. Premium features offer unlimited entries and media.
- Themed event recording
- Emotion and level tracking
- Add photos and videos
- Location information
- Secret themes and events
- Passcode and biometric protection
- iCloud sync
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A themed diary app that allows you to write as many times as you like in a day. In addition to images, videos, and location information, you can also record your emotions at the time. Recommended as a first diary --- theme --- Write down events based on the theme. Since the theme is decided, there is no need to worry about what to write. theme example ·family ·child ·pets ·work ·study ·hobby ·gourmet ·trip ·love affair You can add accents with emojis and colors. You can change the display order by long-pressing the list. You can hide it by setting it to a secret theme. --- event --- Since it is written in short sentences (150 characters or less), it is easy to write and lasts a long time. You can also write in long sentences. (Premium feature) Since I write about events by theme, I don't have to worry about not having anything to write about. You can write as many times as you like in a day, so it can also be used to keep track of time. You can add up to 4 photos or videos. (Expandable with premium features) You can also add location information, which is useful for recording your food trips and travels. You can add tags and display events with the same tag across themes. You can hide it by setting it as a secret event. --- Photos and videos --- Photos and videos are loaded and displayed from the photo library. You can rest assured that the storage data capacity of the app will not increase even if you add many photos and videos. If you delete it from your photo library, you will no longer be able to view it from the app, but the thumbnail will remain. Photos taken from the app are saved in the photo library, so Please set permissions for full access to your photo library. --- Emotions and Levels --- You can record emotions (moods and feelings) and their levels in events. The same emotion can be expressed in different degrees, such as being happy or very happy. It is displayed in emojis and meters for easy viewing and understanding. --- Privacy --- You can hide themes and events by making them "secret." You can rest assured that it will not be seen by anyone who does not know how to display it. You can also hide the display method description itself. You can protect the entire app by setting a passcode. Your passcode is securely stored in your keychain. It also supports biometric authentication such as Face ID and Touch ID. --- iCloud --- Data is saved in iCloud, so there is no need for backup operations. You can sync with multiple devices such as iPhone and iPad. --- Premium Features --- - No character limit - No limit on number of images - Hide advertisements - Shows current weather and temperature Please see below for terms and conditions regarding subscription and use of paid features. 1. Privacy Policy: https://gsoft.jp/privacypolicy/ 2. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
MODE Notes
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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 ・ Handle 5 items of "Date", "MODE(means progression, 7 types)", "Categories(17 types)", "Title" and "Content" in one note. ・ By setting "MODE", capable for progress management. ・ With the "Carryover" function, you can register new duplicates after the next day. ・ 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. ・ Category filter: Tap the category icon at the bottom left of the list screen to display only the notes of the specified category. ・ Always displays the current day at startup, and you can return to today's display at any time. Flexible notes list ・ Tap on "Titles only / All" slide , the list switches Titles-only display and Full-text display. ・ At the same time, switches Titles-only search and Full-text search. Export functions ・ EXPORT to one simple text file from one note. ・ 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. 1. Privacy Policy: https://note.com/modenotes/n/ne04119184e6f 2. END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: MODE Notes at none against First diary, Theme Diary's shown. First diary, Theme Diary's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 4 months). On price, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. First diary, Theme Diary sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 2 months and MODE Notes sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
First diary, Theme Diary ships an update every 3 weeks, MODE Notes every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and September 15, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | First diary, Theme Diary | MODE Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks — better | Every 4 months |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 131 MB | 2 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | G-SOFT | ImagineSpark Inc. |
In-app purchases
First diary, Theme Diary
- Show weather$0.992 Months
- Hide ads$0.991 Month
- Number of images$1.99
- Character limit$1.99
- Show weather$3.99
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- Hide ads (Unlimited)$9.99
- Unlock passcode$19.99
MODE Notes
- Monthly Entitlement14 Days trial$0.991 Month
- Yearly Entitlement14 Days trial$9.991 Year
Questions
Is First diary, Theme Diary free?
Is MODE Notes free?
Do First diary, Theme Diary or MODE Notes have ads?
Which is updated more often, First diary, Theme Diary or MODE Notes?
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