# Ember Arc vs Backyard Journal

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Backyard Journal at none against Ember Arc's 4. Backyard Journal also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.1). Ember Arc's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs every 3 weeks). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Ember Arc sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per year. Backyard Journal asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Ember Arc against 5.0 for Backyard Journal. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 1 respectively.

Ember Arc ships an update every 4 days, Backyard Journal every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Ember Arc | Backyard Journal |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ember-arc-goal-tracker/id6740730693/reviews) | [5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backyard-journal/id6747956168/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **2** | 1 |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 days** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Freemium | **Free** |
| Size | 24 MB | 18 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.1 | **15.1** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Anvar Bakirov](https://appshunter.io/developer/1791311949) | [Justin Ledvina](https://appshunter.io/developer/1818680381) |

## What reviewers say

### Ember Arc

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ember-arc-goal-tracker/id6740730693)

This app helps users overcome procrastination and build momentum towards their goals. It breaks down large objectives into manageable steps and provides practical tools for consistent progress. Designed with ADHD-friendly features, it guides users from planning to action.

**Highlights:** Breaks down big goals into achievable steps, Provides practical tools to build momentum, Offers clear strategies when feeling stuck, Tracks and celebrates progress, Creates structured paths toward goals, Immediate guidance for overwhelming tasks

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Full Access | $14.99 | per year |
| Full Access | $29.99 | per year |
| Full Access | $29.99 | per year |
| Full Access | $59.99 | per year |


### Backyard Journal

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backyard-journal/id6747956168)

Easily document events and changes on your property, from planting to wildlife sightings. Log entries with photos, notes, date, and location, plus current weather. Review your land's history over time with a clean, distraction-free interface.

**Highlights:** Log events with photos and notes, Automatic date and location recording, Add current weather and temperature, Simple, clean interface, Review land history

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Ember Arc free?

Ember Arc is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Backyard Journal free?

Backyard Journal is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Ember Arc or Backyard Journal?

Ember Arc and Backyard Journal are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 2 and 1 ratings respectively.

### Do Ember Arc or Backyard Journal have ads?

Neither Ember Arc nor Backyard Journal shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Ember Arc or Backyard Journal?

Ember Arc ships an update every 4 days, and Backyard Journal every 3 weeks. Most recently, Ember Arc was updated on October 20, 2026 and Backyard Journal on October 10, 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.*