Comparison

PencilDiary vs Grind Card

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

Head to head
About

PencilDiary

This app provides a daily handwritten journal experience with a new page automatically generated each day, organized by date. It offers seamless light and dark mode adaptation with smart color inversion for optimal readability and a minimalist design for focused reflection.

Highlights
  • New page generated daily, organized by date
  • Automatic light and dark mode with color inversion
  • Pure handwriting input with Apple Pencil support
  • Minimalist and distraction-free interface
  • Ideal for personal growth and reflection
  • No manual sorting or folder management
Features
Read full description

Pencil Diary is the only handwritten journal app that gives you a new page every day, automatically organized by date. Whether you're jotting down daily reflections, tracking your moods, ADHD, every note is instantly saved and accessible by date—so you never have to manage folders or files. With seamless light and dark mode adaptation, your notes automatically invert colors to match your iPad’s theme. This ensures that your handwritten text remains readable and aesthetically consistent, no matter when or where you write. If you love writing by hand with an Apple Pencil, Pencil Diary is your perfect digital alternative to a traditional journal. KEY FEATURES: 1. New Page Every Day, Organized by Date - Automatically starts a fresh blank page every day—just like a real notebook. - No need to create or sort notes—your entries are stored by date for easy browsing. - Go back and review past notes without clutter or folders. 2. Auto Light & Dark Mode With Smart Color Inversion - When switching modes, your handwritten notes automatically adjust, ensuring perfect contrast - In light mode, notes appear on a white page in dark mode, they seamlessly invert for a comfortable nighttime writing experience 3. Pure Handwriting —No Typing, No Distractions - Write naturally with Apple Pencil —no keyboards, just a real pen-on-paper feel. - Perfect for journaling, planning, mood tracking, or creative sketching. - Supports freehand drawing, doodling, and note-taking. 4. Minimalist & Aesthetic Design - A clean, distraction-free interface to help you focus on your thoughts. - Inspired by artful agendas, aesthetic planners, and mindful journaling techniques. 5. Ideal for Personal Growth & Reflection - Use it as a gratitude journal, mood tracker, self-care planner, or time management tool. - Great for stoic journaling, mental health tracking, and personal development. - WHY CHOOSE PENCIL DIARY? Most journaling apps rely on templates, stickers, or typing. Pencil Diary is different. A fresh page every day — just open the app and start writing. No manual sorting — everything is saved by date. Automatic light & dark mode — your notes adapt perfectly. Handwriting only — for a truly paper-like experience on iPad. No clutter — just a simple, elegant space for your thoughts. If you love handwriting, daily journaling, and a clean, distraction-free experience, Pencil Diary is the perfect app for you. Start Your Journaling Journey Today!

About

Grind Card

Gamify your life by tracking daily activities across five core areas: body, mind, wealth, connection, and vitality. Earn XP, coins, and climb leaderboards by completing challenges and maintaining streaks. Customize your player card and compete with friends.

Highlights
  • Daily check-ins for stats growth
  • Track body, mind, wealth, connection, vitality
  • XP and coin earning system
  • Weekly leagues and rankings
  • Customizable player card
  • Social features for friends
  • Mystery crates and cosmetic unlocks
Features
Read full description

GrindCard — your real life, gamified. Check in daily and watch your stats grow. Body, Mind, Wealth, Connection, Vitality — every area of your life becomes a trackable stat on your personal player card. The more consistent you are, the stronger you get. YOUR PLAYER CARD Build your power level from the ground up. Track five core stats, earn XP, and watch your overall rating climb. Share your card with friends and show them what you're made of. DAILY CHECK-INS Log your activities across morning, afternoon, and evening windows. Every check-in earns XP, coins, and keeps your streak alive. Miss a day and your stats decay — no days off. LEAGUES & RANKINGS Compete in weekly leagues from Bronze to Legend. Top 10 get promoted, bottom 10 get demoted. Climb the leaderboard and prove you belong at the top. CHALLENGES & GOALS Take on daily challenges for bonus XP and rewards. Set custom goals and track your progress over time. ARMORY & CUSTOMIZATION Unlock card skins, titles, calling cards, and prestige emblems. Customize your player card to stand out on the leaderboard. MYSTERY CRATES Earn crates through gameplay and unlock rare cosmetics. Every crate is a chance at something legendary. SOCIAL Add friends, compare stats, and track each other's progress. See who's grinding and who's slacking. GRIND PASS Unlock bonus XP, exclusive cosmetics, and premium features with an optional monthly subscription. Your life is the game. Start grinding.

Screenshots

PencilDiary4 screens
Grind Card4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: PencilDiary at none against Grind Card's shown. PencilDiary also leads on ratings volume (41 vs 5) and iOS requirement (18 vs 26.2). Grind Card's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs weekly) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). On price, review sentiment, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. PencilDiary sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and Grind Card sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Grind Card holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PencilDiary has 41 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PencilDiary ships an update weekly, Grind Card every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 4, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
PencilDiary versus Grind Card: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPencilDiaryGrind Card
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (41 ratings)5.0 (5 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings41 — better5
Update frequencyWeeklyEvery 3 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18 — better26.2
Further details — not scored
Size212 MB4 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperRABBITEYE LAB LLPJAREN ANDREW GARBER

Customer experience

PencilDiary

All ratings41 ratings
Positive97.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative2.4%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Grind Card

Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

PencilDiary

One-time2
  • Premium$19.99
  • Premium$49.99
10 purchases

Grind Card

Subscriptions1
  • Grind Pass$4.991 Month
One-time9
  • Starter Pack$0.99
  • Daily Grinder Pack$1.99
  • Warrior Pack$4.99
Show 6 more
  • Challenger Pack$7.99
  • Season 1 Pass$9.99
  • Elite Pack$14.99
  • Legendary Pack$24.99
  • Champion Bundle$49.99
  • Founder's Edition$99.99

Questions

Is PencilDiary free?
PencilDiary is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Grind Card free?
Grind Card is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, PencilDiary or Grind Card?
Grind Card is rated higher. PencilDiary averages 4.8 out of 5 from 41 ratings, while Grind Card averages 5.0 from 5 ratings.
Do PencilDiary or Grind Card have ads?
Grind Card shows ads; PencilDiary does not.
Which is updated more often, PencilDiary or Grind Card?
PencilDiary ships an update weekly, and Grind Card every 3 days. Most recently, PencilDiary was updated on October 4, 2026 and Grind Card on October 9, 2026.

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