Best Journaling App Free Prompts

232+ iOS apps curated and reviewed

4.7 avg rating
20 free apps
Updated July 2026

My Diary is the household name in journaling app free prompts, but it's far from the only option. We track 232+ alternatives and competitors on iOS — many free, many higher-rated than you'd expect.

Compare top Journaling App Free Prompts (July 2026)

#AppPriceRatingAdsIn-App PurchasesUpdated
1My Diary - Journal with LockMy Diary - Journal with LockFree4.7★ (28K)YesYesJul 2026
2stoic. journal & mental healthstoic. journal & mental healthFree4.8★ (35K)NoYesJul 2026
3Prompted Journal - Shadow WorkPrompted Journal - Shadow WorkFree4.8★ (6.9K)NoYesJul 2026
4Day One: Daily Journal & DiaryDay One: Daily Journal & DiaryFree4.8★ (117K)NoYesJul 2026
5Clearful - Journal & DiaryClearful - Journal & DiaryFree4.8★ (3K)NoYesJul 2026
6solo. pen journaling companionsolo. pen journaling companionFree5.0★ (2)NoNoMay 2026
7Werdsmith: Writing AppWerdsmith: Writing AppFree4.7★ (7.8K)NoYesJul 2026
8Gratitude: Self-Care JournalGratitude: Self-Care JournalFree4.9★ (45K)NoYesJul 2026

Top Picks for Journaling App Free Prompts

My Diary - Journal with Lock#1

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

Journaling Diary with password
Editor's Choice
🌟 Lifestyle
4.7😊(28K ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
My Diary - Journal with Lock screenshot 1
My Diary - Journal with Lock screenshot 2
My Diary - Journal with Lock screenshot 3
My Diary - Journal with Lock screenshot 4
My Diary - Journal with Lock screenshot 5
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
stoic. journal & mental health#2

stoic. journal & mental health by Stoic app inc.

AI journaling, Gratitude diary
Strong Contender
💪 Health & Fitness
4.8😊(35K ratings)
FreeIn-App Purchases
stoic. journal & mental health screenshot 1
stoic. journal & mental health screenshot 2
stoic. journal & mental health screenshot 3
stoic. journal & mental health screenshot 4
stoic. journal & mental health screenshot 5
stoic. journal & mental health screenshot 6

This app guides users through daily preparation and reflection to improve mental well-being. It offers journaling prompts, habit tracking, mood monitoring, and various mental health tools like meditation and breathing exercises. Users can also journal via voice notes or pictures.

What We Love

  • 👍 Helpful for mental health and well-being
  • 🚀 Efficient and easy to use
  • 💡 Guided journaling and reflection
  • 🧘‍♀️ Useful breathing and meditation exercises

Room to Improve

  • 🔒 Concerns about data privacy and security
  • 💰 Expensive subscription model
  • 🐛 Occasional bugs and crashes
Prompted Journal - Shadow Work#3

Prompted Journal - Shadow Work by Oatmeal Apps

Private journaling for therapy
Worth Considering
🌟 Lifestyle
4.8😊(6.9K ratings)
FreeIn-App Purchases
Prompted Journal - Shadow Work screenshot 1
Prompted Journal - Shadow Work screenshot 2
Prompted Journal - Shadow Work screenshot 3
Prompted Journal - Shadow Work screenshot 4
Prompted Journal - Shadow Work screenshot 5
Prompted Journal - Shadow Work screenshot 6

This app provides a guided journaling experience with over 190 prompts and "Dive Deeper" questions to encourage self-reflection and personal growth. It helps users establish a consistent self-care routine through daily reminders and offers privacy with no data storage required.

What We Love

  • 💖 Great for self-reflection
  • 🔒 No ads or data collection
  • 👍 Simple and user-friendly interface
  • 🤗 Helpful and thought-provoking prompts

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Issues with editing/deleting past entries
  • 🔍 Lack of search/filter functionality
  • 📱 Compatibility issues on larger screens

More Journaling App Free Prompts apps to explore

4
Day One: Daily Journal & Diary
Day One: Daily Journal & Diary
Day One: Daily Journal & Diary
Личный дневник благодарности
Free

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.

Unlimited text entriesRich text formattingPhoto and video support
💪 Health & Fitness
(117K)
freemium
5
Clearful - Journal & Diary
Clearful - Journal & Diary
Clearful - Journal & Diary
Journaling for Personal Growth
Free

This app provides a secure and private space to explore your thoughts, emotions, and experiences through journaling. It offers tools to express yourself with text, photos, and audio, organize entries with rich formatting, and rediscover past moments. Guided journals and habit-building features support personal growth and mental well-being.

Text, photo, and audio journalingRich text formatting optionsRediscover past journal entries
💪 Health & Fitness
(3K)
free with in-app purchases
6
solo. pen journaling companion
solo. pen journaling companion
solo. pen journaling companion
reflection & growth prompts
Free

This app provides over 100 curated prompts to guide users through self-reflection and personal growth. It encourages mindfulness and self-discovery, suitable for daily journaling or moments of introspection.

Curated thought-provoking promptsDaily reflection guidancePersonal growth goal setting
🌟 Lifestyle
(2)
free
7
Werdsmith: Writing App
Werdsmith: Writing App
Werdsmith: Writing App
Write poetry, scripts, books
Free

This app transforms your devices into a writing studio, helping you overcome writer's block with AI-powered suggestions and build a consistent writing practice. It automatically handles formatting, allowing you to focus on your creative process.

AI-powered writing suggestionsDaily writing practice builderAutomatic formatting
📊 Productivity
(7.8K)
freemium
8
Gratitude: Self-Care Journal
Gratitude: Self-Care Journal
Gratitude: Self-Care Journal
Affirmations and Vision Board
Free

This self-care app helps improve mental health with a private gratitude journal, positive affirmations, and vision boards. It offers daily motivation, prompts, and the ability to record voice entries and add photos to your journal.

Gratitude journal with photo and voice entryHundreds of positive affirmationsCreate multiple vision boards
💪 Health & Fitness
(45K)
free with in-app purchases
9
Penzu
Penzu
Penzu
Secure Diary & Private Journal
Free

This app provides a secure and private space for journaling, note-taking, and storing personal thoughts. It offers robust security features like password and PIN locks, encryption, and cloud syncing across devices. Users can also add photos and tags to their entries, making it a comprehensive digital diary.

Unlimited journalingCloud sync for freePassword and PIN locks
📊 Productivity
(2.5K)
free with in-app purchases
10
Diarly 다이어리: 기분 기록과 나만의 일기
Diarly 다이어리: 기분 기록과 나만의 일기
Diarly 다이어리: 기분 기록과 나만의 일기
사진과 음성, 메모로 남기는 나만의 비밀 노트
Free

This app helps you start and maintain a journaling habit with daily prompts, mood tracking, and the ability to add photos and other media. It also allows for creating topic-based notes and seamlessly integrates with other apps and services for a comprehensive personal record.

Daily prompts with enriched data (weather, location, health)Mood tracking and pattern analysisTopic-based note creation
💪 Health & Fitness
(1.4K)
freemium
11
Daily Prompt: Writing Prompts
Daily Prompt: Writing Prompts
Daily Prompt: Writing Prompts
Creative story & poetry ideas
Free

This app helps you build a consistent writing habit with daily prompts and a supportive community. It offers tools to overcome writer's block, explore different genres, and track your progress. Premium features include guided project planning and access to exclusive prompt packs.

Daily writing promptsCreative writing communityProgress tracking
📚 Education
(2.3K)
freemium
12
Mindsera: Daily AI Journaling
Mindsera: Daily AI Journaling
Mindsera: Daily AI Journaling
Reflect, CBT & Self-Care Diary
Free

This smart diary enhances mental health and cognitive skills by reflecting on your thoughts, boosting emotional intelligence, and uncovering hidden patterns. It offers AI-powered insights, customizable reflections, and voice journaling for a personalized self-care experience.

AI-powered reflective journalingCBT and self-care toolsUncover hidden patterns and insights
💪 Health & Fitness
(230)
free with in-app purchases
13
Gratitude Journal - The Life-changing App
Gratitude Journal - The Life-changing App
Gratitude Journal - The Life-changing App
by PPL Development Company LLC
Free

This digital journal helps you capture moments of gratitude with a distraction-free interface. It offers customizable backgrounds and fonts, easy organization with list and calendar views, and seamless iCloud syncing across your devices.

Distraction-free daily entriesCustomizable backgrounds and fontsVertical list and calendar view
🌟 Lifestyle
(559)
free
14
Diary With Password
Diary With Password
Diary With Password
No Ads Journal Diary Notebook
Free

This app provides a private digital space to record daily thoughts, emotions, and life events. It offers robust security features like password and biometric locks, alongside tools for organizing, searching, and exporting your entries. Enjoy a customizable and ad-free journaling experience.

Password and biometric securityDaily entry loggingFull text search
📊 Productivity
(26K)
free with in-app purchases
15
My Daily Diary ‎
My Daily Diary ‎
My Daily Diary ‎
Private Journal with lock
Free

This app offers a private and flexible journaling experience. Track your mood, dreams, or experiences with customizable entries. Secure your thoughts with a built-in lock system for ultimate privacy.

Private journalingMood trackingCustomizable entries
🌟 Lifestyle
(1.1K)
free with in-app purchases
16
Notebook - Diary & Journal App
Notebook - Diary & Journal App
Notebook - Diary & Journal App
A diary that flips like a book
Free

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.

Realistic page-turning effectOne page per day organizationiCloud sync and backup
📊 Productivity
(14K)
free with in-app purchases
17
Journal X: My Diary with Lock
Journal X: My Diary with Lock
Journal X: My Diary with Lock
Personal Locked Journaling
Free

This app allows you to create a private digital journal with passcode protection. Add photos, stickers, and organize entries into multiple journals. Sync across devices and receive reminders to encourage daily writing.

Daily photo entriesPasscode lockMultiple photo uploads per entry
🌟 Lifestyle
(1.8K)
free with in-app purchases
18
Journal Party: Journal Prompts
Journal Party: Journal Prompts
Journal Party: Journal Prompts
Guided Journaling Companion
Free

This app provides structured guidance and accountability for developing a consistent journaling habit. Choose from over 100 programs with curated prompts, ambient music, and community sessions. Write in your physical journal while the app guides your sessions and tracks your progress.

100+ guided journaling programsCurated prompts with timersAmbient focus music
💪 Health & Fitness
(9)
free with in-app purchases
19
AI Journal Prompts: Journai
AI Journal Prompts: Journai
AI Journal Prompts: Journai
Private Smart Journaling
Free

This app offers a private space for self-reflection and personal growth through journaling. It provides AI-powered prompts to guide your thoughts and ensures your entries are secure and accessible across devices. Start writing instantly with no account or ads.

AI-powered promptsPrivacy-first designiCloud sync
💪 Health & Fitness
(1)
freemium
20
Journal Prompts AI: Glimmer
Journal Prompts AI: Glimmer
Journal Prompts AI: Glimmer
Daily Reflections, Wellbeing
Free

This app uses AI to guide you through journaling with conversational prompts and insights. It helps you understand your emotions, identify patterns, and gain self-awareness through private, engaging diary entries. Enhance your reflections with photos and enjoy a beautiful, intuitive interface.

AI Journal AssistantDaily Journal PromptsJournal Diary Privacy
💪 Health & Fitness
(85)
free with in-app purchases

FAQ about Journaling App Free Prompts

What is the best journaling app free prompts for iPhone?
My Diary - Journal with Lock tops our journaling app free prompts ranking as of July 2026, with a 4.7-star average from 28K App Store ratings, and it's free to download.
My Diary - Journal with Lock shows ads and offers in-app purchases, according to its App Store listing as of July 2026.
We track 232+ journaling app free prompts on the iOS App Store as of July 2026, ranked by rating, recency, and analysis of real user reviews.
My Diary is a digital journal app designed for recording daily entries, secret thoughts, journeys, and private moments. It aims to provide a personalized and secure space for users to express themselves and track their emotions, supporting mental well-being.
Yes, you can create photo diaries by adding pictures or drawings to your journal entries. This feature helps make your private diary more vivid and memorable. You can also view all your journal photos in a dedicated media view mode.