Cognitive Diary vs Untwist
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side โ with what reviewers say about each.
Cognitive Diary
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Cognitive Diary is a private, privacy-first space for self-reflection, emotional awareness, and everyday mental well-being. The app combines CBT-inspired journaling tools, guided breathing exercises, and validated self-assessment questionnaires to help you better understand your thoughts, emotions, and reactions โ at your own pace and without pressure. You can choose from structured journal formats inspired by cognitive behavioral techniques, including thought tracking, anxiety and trigger monitoring, activity planning, emotion regulation, exposure tracking, and mood reflection. These tools help organize inner experiences, notice patterns, and explore alternative perspectives in a calm and non-judgmental way. Cognitive Diary also includes simple breathing exercises designed to support moments of stress or emotional overload. Visual breathing guidance helps slow down and reconnect with the body. You can use the app without creating an account. Signing in is optional and unlocks PRO features, including secure end-to-end encrypted cloud synchronization across devices. Your privacy is a core principle of the app. All entries and test results are encrypted. Encryption keys never leave your device, and you remain in full control of your personal data. Important disclaimer: Cognitive Diary is not a medical device and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is not a substitute for professional healthcare or mental health services. If you are experiencing severe or persistent mental health symptoms, please seek help from a qualified professional. Cognitive Diary is designed as a supportive self-reflection tool and a private companion for building awareness and self-regulation skills in everyday life.
Untwist
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A difficult thought can feel like a knot. Untwist gives you a private, guided way to look at it from a little more distance โ without a chatbot, an account, or pressure to keep a streak. CREATE A MIND KNOT Write the thought as it appears, notice its intensity, explore possible thinking patterns, and shape a more balanced perspective. Twisty changes with each step as you create more room around the thought. RETURN WHEN YOU NEED IT โข Save unfinished reflections as drafts โข Keep completed knots in your private Mind Journey โข Search, edit, favorite, hide, or delete your entries โข See gentle weekly insights about rhythm, intensity, and recurring patterns MORE SPACE, NOT MORE PRESSURE Use a quick mood check-in or a guided breathing space when a full reflection is not what you need. There are no streaks to protect and no guilt-based reminders. PRIVATE BY DESIGN Your thoughts, notes, and balanced perspectives stay on your device. Untwist does not send reflection content to analytics services. Subscription management is handled by RevenueCat without access to your journal content. IMPORTANT Untwist is a wellness and self-reflection tool. It does not provide therapy, diagnosis, treatment, or medical advice. Regional crisis resources remain available without a subscription. Support: https://saevaexe.github.io/untwist/support.html Privacy: https://saevaexe.github.io/untwist/privacy.html Terms: https://saevaexe.github.io/untwist/terms.html
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Verdict
Cognitive Diary and Untwist are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters โ price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them โ neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.
Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Cognitive Diary sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and Untwist sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Cognitive Diary ships an update fortnightly, Untwist every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Cognitive Diary | Untwist |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Every 8 days โ better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad โ better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 16.4 โ better | 17.0 |
| Further details โ not scored | ||
| Size | 60 MB | 28 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Vitalii Kovalov | Osman Seven |
In-app purchases
Cognitive Diary
- PRO$0.991 Month
- PRO$9.991 Year
Untwist
- Monthly3 Days trial$4.991 Month
- Yearly3 Days trial$39.991 Year









