Comparison

PencilDiary vs GrateGuard

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

GrateGuard

Features
Read full description

GrateGuard is an app blocker that puts a short gratitude pause between impulse and action. Protect the app that pulls you in, then name three good things before you continue. START FREE - Protect as many distracting apps as you choose - Complete unlimited protected gratitude resets with text - Customize your lock hours and session duration - Keep the latest seven days of local history - Write your gratitude privately on your device - Start without creating an account HOW IT WORKS 1. Choose an app you want to open less automatically. 2. GrateGuard pauses that app during your lock window. 3. Write three genuine gratitudes to unlock a more intentional session. GRATEGUARD PLUS App blocking stays free. Optional GrateGuard Plus adds voice entry and your complete local history beyond the latest seven days. Purchase and subscription options are shown in the app. Restore Purchases is available from the dismissible upgrade screen and Settings; Manage Subscription is available only in Settings. PRIVATE BY DESIGN Your protected-app choices, gratitude entries, settings, streaks, and session history are stored locally and are not uploaded to GrateGuard servers. RevenueCat assigns a random App User ID for purchase management. If you explicitly opt in, GrateGuard also sends only coarse product milestones and pseudonymous acquisition, campaign, and referral attribution associated with that ID—never gratitude text, selected app names, speech input, or advertising IDs. Optional GrateGuard `gg_*` attributes are not sent without consent. GrateGuard does not use ad tracking or sell personal data. IMPORTANT Operating-system permissions and restrictions can affect app-control behavior. GrateGuard is a wellbeing and productivity tool, not medical or psychological advice. Privacy Policy: https://grateguard.app/privacy/ Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

PencilDiary4 screens
GrateGuard4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: PencilDiary at every 2 weeks against GrateGuard's every 6 weeks. GrateGuard's advantage is iOS requirement (16.4 vs 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 4 one-off in-app purchases and GrateGuard sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PencilDiary ships an update every 2 weeks, GrateGuard every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
PencilDiary versus GrateGuard: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPencilDiaryGrateGuard
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (41 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings41 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS1816.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size214 MB57 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRABBITEYE LAB LLPMoritz Kiefer

In-app purchases

4 purchases

PencilDiary

One-time4
  • Premium$29.99
  • LifeTime$39.99
  • Premium$49.99
Show 1 more
  • LifeTime$59.99
3 purchases

GrateGuard

Subscriptions2
  • GrateGuard Plus Monthly$4.991 Month
  • GrateGuard Plus Annual3 Days trial$24.991 Year
One-time1
  • GrateGuard Plus Lifetime$59.99

Questions

Is PencilDiary free?
PencilDiary is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is GrateGuard free?
GrateGuard is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do PencilDiary or GrateGuard have ads?
Neither PencilDiary nor GrateGuard shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PencilDiary or GrateGuard?
PencilDiary ships an update every 2 weeks, and GrateGuard every 6 weeks. Most recently, PencilDiary was updated on November 4, 2026 and GrateGuard on October 31, 2026.

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