# nikki vs Diary with lock

The clearest difference is rating: nikki at 5.0 against Diary with lock's 4.3. nikki also leads on review sentiment (98% vs 66%). Diary with lock's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (1.2K vs 5). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. nikki sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and Diary with lock sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

nikki holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Diary with lock has 1.2K ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 98% of nikki's written reviews are positive against 66% of Diary with lock's.

nikki ships an update every 2 months, Diary with lock every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 2, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | nikki | Diary with lock |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nikki-diary/id921470934/reviews)** | [4.3 (1.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/diary-with-lock/id1347511716/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 5 | **1.2K** |
| Positive reviews | **98.1% of reviews** | 65.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 6 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 30 MB | 39 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [REVOLAB Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/575787284) | [Tuyen Bui](https://appshunter.io/developer/1000285801) |

## What reviewers say

### nikki

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nikki-diary/id921470934)

This app allows you to keep a private diary with rich media. You can add photos, take notes in a chat format, and use it as a planner. Security features include password and biometric locks, with customizable themes to personalize your journaling experience.

**Highlights:** Insert pictures into diary entries, Chat-style memo function, Use as a future date schedule book, Password and biometric app lock, Various fun stamps, Customizable timeline themes (Pinboard, List, Calendar)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 添付画像を10枚にUP | $2.99 | one-time |
| 広告非表示（広告を外す） | $7.99 | one-time |


### Diary with lock

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/diary-with-lock/id1347511716)

Create a secure personal journal to record daily events, thoughts, and secrets. Protect your entries with a password or PIN code and customize the look with different colors and fonts. This app offers a simple, fast, and user-friendly way to document your life.

**Highlights:** Password & PIN code protection, Customizable background colors, Changeable font styles, Easy-to-use interface, Searchable entries, Unlimited entries, Multi-language support

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Cloud Sync Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Donate to Developer | $5.99 | one-time |
| Diary with lock-No Advertising | $8.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🔒 Secure with password protection
- ✨ Customizable fonts and colors
- 📝 Easy to write entries
- 💻 Convenient digital diary

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💸 Too many ads interrupting writing
- 🐛 Crashes and glitches when trying to write
- 💾 No backup or data recovery options
- 🔍 Partial visibility of entries even when locked

**Reported bugs**

- Entries randomly disappearing
- Constant redirects to ads when trying to write
- Login/password reset not working properly

**Requested features**

- Backup and sync entries across devices
- Fingerprint/Face ID support for locking
- Ability to change font size and color
- Option to disable ads for paid users


## Frequently asked questions

### Is nikki free?

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

### Is Diary with lock free?

Diary with lock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, nikki or Diary with lock?

nikki is rated higher. nikki averages 5.0 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while Diary with lock averages 4.3 from 1.2K ratings.

### Do nikki or Diary with lock have ads?

nikki shows ads; Diary with lock does not.

### Which is updated more often, nikki or Diary with lock?

nikki ships an update every 2 months, and Diary with lock every 6 weeks. Most recently, nikki was updated on November 1, 2026 and Diary with lock on November 2, 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.*