Comparison

Quicknotes Journal vs Local Journal

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

Head to head
About

Quicknotes Journal

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QuickNotes Journal is a simple, private journaling app designed to keep your thoughts organized and completely under your control. All entries are stored locally on your device. There are no accounts, no cloud sync, and no data collection. Your journal stays with you. Key Features • Create and edit journal entries quickly with text, photos, and audio • Organize entries using customizable tags and topics • Search and filter entries by date, text, or tag • View detailed insights into writing habits, streaks, and milestones • Clean, focused layout with simple navigation across entries and stats • Export your journal anytime to TXT, CSV, or JSON • Backup and restore data locally with full ownership of your data • Optional one-time purchase for advanced statistics (no subscriptions) Privacy First by Design QuickNotes Journal works entirely offline. Your data never leaves your device. No logins, no cloud servers, and no third-party analytics. Simple and Focused The interface is built to stay out of the way so you can focus on writing. Whether you log quick notes, track daily habits, or keep an offline work diary, QuickNotes Journal keeps things straightforward and reliable. Built for Long-Term Use Your entries are stored in a fast local database and remain accessible even if you migrate devices using your manual backups. You control your data at every step. QuickNotes Journal is ideal for anyone who wants a fast, private, and dependable journaling experience without unnecessary complexity or recurring fees.

About

Local Journal

Features
Read full description

Private, local-first journaling with on device voice recording and transcription. Every entry is stored locally on your iPhone - no accounts, no tracking, nothing synced by us. When you save or share a backup, you decide where it goes: your device or your own cloud storage. Your journal. Your device. Nobody else. Just you and your thoughts. Whether you journal daily or occasionally, Local Journal gets out of the way and lets you write. FREE FEATURES • Write freely or use built-in prompts: free write, daily reflection, gratitude • Browse your entries in a clean timeline • Search instantly — everything happens on your device • Export as a text file (always free) • Light and dark mode PREMIUM — $6.99 one-time purchase. No subscription. Ever. • Voice entry with on-device English transcription and editable transcript — your audio isn't sent to any servers • Face ID / PIN lock • Export as PDF or JSON • Import journal backups PRIVACY BY DESIGN • No accounts • No ads • No analytics or tracking • No subscriptions • Entries are always stored locally - nothing synced by us • Backups go wherever you choose to save or share them FAQ Is it really free? Yes. Writing, timeline, and search are free forever. Premium adds voice entry, lock, and advanced export. Do I need an account? No. No sign-up, no login, no email. The app works entirely offline. Where is my data stored? Your journal entries are always stored locally on your device. Local Journal has no cloud servers and nothing syncs automatically. Can I back up my journal to the cloud? Yes, if you want to. When you save or share an export, you pick the destination — your device, or your own cloud storage like iCloud, Google Drive, or Dropbox, using your phone's share sheet. We believe you should be deliberate with your personal data and decide, each time you save or share. Can I take my data with me? Yes. Text export is always free. PDF and JSON export are included with premium. Is this a subscription? No. $6.99 once. Yours forever.

Screenshots

Quicknotes Journal4 screens
Local Journal4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Quicknotes Journal at 13.0 against Local Journal's 15.0. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Ā· Rating Ā· Positive reviews Ā· Number of ratings Ā· Update frequency Ā· Ads Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Monetization Ā· Best chart rank Ā· Devices Ā· Requires iOS

CostPrice Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Ads Ā· Monetization

Both are free to download. Quicknotes Journal sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Local Journal sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Quicknotes Journal ships an update every 3 weeks, Local Journal fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 6, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference Ā· 5 level
Quicknotes Journal versus Local Journal: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterQuicknotes JournalLocal Journal
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size29 MB33 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRyan BairCK Creative and Consulting LLC

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Quicknotes Journal

One-time1
  • Premium$3.99
1 purchases

Local Journal

One-time1
  • Premium$6.99

Questions

Is Quicknotes Journal free?
Quicknotes Journal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Local Journal free?
Local Journal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Quicknotes Journal or Local Journal have ads?
Neither Quicknotes Journal nor Local Journal shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Quicknotes Journal or Local Journal?
Quicknotes Journal ships an update every 3 weeks, and Local Journal fortnightly. Most recently, Quicknotes Journal was updated on September 6, 2026 and Local Journal on September 20, 2026.

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