Comparison

Cognitive Diary vs Untwist

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

Head to head
About

Cognitive Diary

Read full description

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.

About

Untwist

Features
Read full description

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 โ€ข Save unfinished reflections as drafts โ€ข Keep completed knots in your private Mind Journey โ€ข Search, edit, favorite, hide, or delete your entries โ€ข 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

Screenshots

Cognitive Diary4 screens
Untwist4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Cognitive Diary ships an update fortnightly, Untwist every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
Cognitive Diary versus Untwist: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCognitive DiaryUntwist
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 8 days โ€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPad โ€” betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.4 โ€” better17.0
Further details โ€” not scored
Size60 MB28 MB
Age rating17+12+
DeveloperVitalii KovalovOsman Seven

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Cognitive Diary

Subscriptions2
  • PRO$0.991 Month
  • PRO$9.991 Year
2 purchases

Untwist

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly3 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Yearly3 Days trial$39.991 Year

Questions

Is Cognitive Diary free?
Cognitive Diary is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Untwist free?
Untwist is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Cognitive Diary or Untwist have ads?
Neither Cognitive Diary nor Untwist shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Cognitive Diary or Untwist?
Cognitive Diary ships an update fortnightly, and Untwist every 8 days. Most recently, Cognitive Diary was updated on October 13, 2026 and Untwist on October 24, 2026.

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