# JournalWrite vs Bodcat Notebook

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: JournalWrite at none against Bodcat Notebook's 1. JournalWrite also leads on ratings volume (3 vs 1). Bodcat Notebook's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 2 months). On price, rating, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Bodcat Notebook sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $29.99 per year. JournalWrite asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for JournalWrite against 5.0 for Bodcat Notebook. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 1 respectively.

JournalWrite ships an update every 2 months, Bodcat Notebook every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | JournalWrite | Bodcat Notebook |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/journalwrite-journal-and-stats/id6763682076/reviews) | [5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bodcat-notebook/id6794391438/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **3** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Freemium |
| Size | 9 MB | 10 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **17.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Jacob Kappler](https://appshunter.io/developer/1894734920) | [Beijing Huichengjia Technology Co., Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/6789581169) |

## What reviewers say

### JournalWrite

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/journalwrite-journal-and-stats/id6763682076)

This app offers a private and distraction-free space for writing journal entries. It helps users build consistent habits by tracking streaks and visualizing progress with clear insights, all while remaining fully offline and ad-free.

**Highlights:** Distraction-free writing experience, Offline journaling, No ads or accounts required, Track journaling streaks, Visualize progress with insights, Explore entry trends

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Bodcat Notebook

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bodcat-notebook/id6794391438)

A private, encrypted journaling and note-taking app designed for personal reflection and sensitive records. It offers AI-assisted suggestions and organization tools, with optional PRO features available via subscription.

**Highlights:** Encrypted notes and journal entries, Organize with notebooks and tags, Privacy-first design, AI-assisted suggestions, iCloud Drive backup, Empathy Studio and Decoder

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Bodcat PRO Yearly | $29.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is JournalWrite free?

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

### Is Bodcat Notebook free?

Bodcat Notebook is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, JournalWrite or Bodcat Notebook?

JournalWrite and Bodcat Notebook are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 3 and 1 ratings respectively.

### Do JournalWrite or Bodcat Notebook have ads?

Neither JournalWrite nor Bodcat Notebook shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, JournalWrite or Bodcat Notebook?

JournalWrite ships an update every 2 months, and Bodcat Notebook every 3 days. Most recently, JournalWrite was updated on October 9, 2026 and Bodcat Notebook on October 12, 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.*