Best Free Journal Apps

250+ iOS apps curated and reviewed

4.6 avg rating
20 free apps
Updated October 2026

With an average user rating of 4.6★, the free journal apps category is one of the App Store's strongest. Browse all 250+ apps we track, sorted so the most loved ones surface first.

Compare top Free Journal Apps (October 2026)

#AppPriceRatingAdsIn-App PurchasesUpdated
1Notebook - Diary & Journal AppNotebook - Diary & Journal AppFree4.7★ (14K)YesYesNov 2026
2My Diary - Journal with LockMy Diary - Journal with LockFree4.7★ (28K)YesYesNov 2026
3Day One: Daily Journal & DiaryDay One: Daily Journal & DiaryFree4.8★ (119K)NoYesNov 2026
4JournalJournalFree4.8★ (338K)NoNoNov 2026
5DailyBean - simplest journalDailyBean - simplest journalFree4.8★ (71K)YesYesNov 2026
6Best Journal - Diary, NotebookBest Journal - Diary, NotebookFree3.9★ (30)YesNoOct 2026
7Pineapple LogPineapple LogFree4.0★ (4)NoNoOct 2026
8Quill JournalQuill JournalFree4.0★ (4)NoNoOct 2026

Top Picks for Free Journal Apps

Notebook - Diary & Journal App#1

Notebook - Diary & Journal App by Koji Ito

Daily Notes, Lock & iCloud
Editor's Choice
📊 Productivity
4.7😊(14K ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
Notebook - Diary & Journal App screenshot 1
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Notebook - Diary & Journal App screenshot 5

This app offers a natural journaling experience by organizing daily notes on a single page, allowing you to flip through your entries like a physical book. It prioritizes simplicity, security with passcode locks, and seamless iCloud synchronization for easy access across devices.

What We Love

  • 👍 Simple and easy to use
  • 🔒 Password protection
  • 💡 Convenient for journaling and note-taking
  • 🚀 Smooth and responsive
  • 👍 Organized by date

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes or glitches
  • 🚫 Unable to insert photos or attachments
  • 🚫 Limited formatting options
  • 🚫 No cloud sync or backup
  • 🚫 Not compatible with iPad
My Diary - Journal with Lock#2

My Diary - Journal with Lock by BetterApp Tech Co., Limited

Journaling Diary with password
Strong Contender
🌟 Lifestyle
4.7😊(28K ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
My Diary - Journal with Lock screenshot 1
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My Diary - Journal with Lock screenshot 6

This app offers a secure and personalized digital journal for recording daily thoughts, memories, and emotions. Enhance entries with photos, themes, and mood tracking. It's designed to support mental well-being by providing a private space for self-reflection and emotional processing.

What We Love

  • 🔒 Secure with password, fingerprint, and security question options
  • 📝 Easy to write and express thoughts
  • 🎨 Customizable with themes, stickers, and photos
  • 🗓️ Helpful for tracking moods and daily activities

Room to Improve

  • 💰 Many features locked behind premium paywall
  • 🔍 Limited free theme and sticker options
  • 🐛 Issues with formatting, text editing, and photo placement
  • 🔄 Requires restoring purchases frequently
Day One: Daily Journal & Diary#3

Day One: Daily Journal & Diary by Bloom Built Inc

Private Gratitude Journaling
Worth Considering
💪 Health & Fitness
4.8😊(119K ratings)
FreeIn-App Purchases
#88in Health & Fitness
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Record your life with a private digital journal. Securely save text, photos, audio, and video. Features include reminders, prompts, and automatic data import to help you stay consistent and reminisce.

What We Love

  • 💻 Excellent journaling app
  • 🗓️ Ability to create multiple journals
  • 🎨 Customizable journal templates
  • 🔍 Powerful search and filtering
  • 🗺️ Location and weather tracking
  • 🔒 Secure and private
  • 🤖 Voice recording and transcription
  • 📚 Ability to print journal books
  • 🧠 Helps with mental health and personal growth

Room to Improve

  • 🔒 Subscription model for premium features
  • 🗓️ Issues with syncing and data loss
  • 🖌️ Limited customization options
  • 🔍 Clunky search and navigation
  • 🐛 Bugs and crashes
  • 🗣️ Poor customer support

More Free Journal Apps apps to explore

FAQ about Free Journal Apps

What are the best free journal apps for iPhone?
Notebook - Diary & Journal App tops our free journal apps ranking as of October 2026, with a 4.7-star average from 14K App Store ratings, and it's free to download.
Notebook - Diary & Journal App shows ads and offers in-app purchases, according to its App Store listing as of October 2026.
We track 250+ free journal apps on the iOS App Store as of October 2026, ranked by rating, recency, and analysis of real user reviews.