Comparison

PencilDiary vs MindSpace Wellness Journal

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

MindSpace Wellness Journal

Features
Read full description

Because mental health counts, Mindspace is your personal space to pause, reflect, and reconnect with yourself. Mindspace is designed to support emotional wellness through simple daily check-ins, mood tracking, and guided journaling. Whether your day feels heavy, hopeful, or somewhere in between, the app gives you a space to rate how you feel from sad to happy and put your thoughts into words. With thoughtful prompts and leading questions, Mindspace helps you go beyond surface-level journaling and reflect more deeply on your emotions, experiences, and patterns. Over time, you can build greater self-awareness, recognize emotional trends, and create more intentional moments of self-care. Mindspace is built for people who want an easy, supportive, and meaningful way to care for their mental well-being — one thought, one check-in, and one day at a time. Subscription Information: MindSpace Wellness Journal offers auto-renewable subscriptions. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula Privacy Policy: https://mindspace-privacy.carrd.co

Screenshots

PencilDiary4 screens
MindSpace Wellness Journal3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: MindSpace Wellness Journal at 15.1 against PencilDiary's 18. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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 MindSpace Wellness Journal sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
PencilDiary versus MindSpace Wellness Journal: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPencilDiaryMindSpace Wellness Journal
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (41 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings41 — better—
Update frequencyWeekly—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS1815.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size212 MB48 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRABBITEYE LAB LLPSunil Mall

In-app purchases

2 purchases

PencilDiary

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

MindSpace Wellness Journal

Subscriptions2
  • Mindspace Premium Monthly$5.991 Month
  • Mindspace Premium Annual$44.991 Year

Questions

Is PencilDiary free?
PencilDiary is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is MindSpace Wellness Journal free?
MindSpace Wellness Journal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do PencilDiary or MindSpace Wellness Journal have ads?
Neither PencilDiary nor MindSpace Wellness Journal shows ads.

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