Best Writing Journal Apps

249+ iOS apps curated and reviewed

4.6 avg rating
19 free apps
Updated September 2026

Every iPhone needs a few good writing journal apps. We benchmark 249+ of them on App Store rating, freshness, and pricing, then surface the standouts so you don't have to scroll the App Store yourself.

Compare top Writing Journal Apps (September 2026)

#AppPriceRatingAdsIn-App PurchasesUpdated
1Notebook - Diary & Journal AppNotebook - Diary & Journal AppFree4.7β˜… (14K)YesYesSep 2026
2JournalJournalFree4.8β˜… (231K)NoNoSep 2026
3PenCake: Minimal Writing AppPenCake: Minimal Writing AppFree4.3β˜… (106)NoYesSep 2026
4My Diary - Journal with LockMy Diary - Journal with LockFree4.7β˜… (28K)YesYesSep 2026
5Diary With PasswordDiary With PasswordFree4.7β˜… (27K)NoYesSep 2026
6Quick Journal: just writeQuick Journal: just writeFree4.7β˜… (24)NoNoSep 2026
7Paper: Writing App, NotesPaper: Writing App, NotesFree4.7β˜… (1.7K)NoYesSep 2026
8EZ2 JournalEZ2 JournalFreeβ€”NoYesMay 2026

Top Picks for Writing Journal

Notebook - Diary & Journal App#1

Notebook - Diary & Journal App by Koji Ito

A diary that flips like a book
Editor's Choice
πŸ“Š Productivity
4.7😊(14K ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
Notebook - Diary & Journal App screenshot 1
Notebook - Diary & Journal App screenshot 2
Notebook - Diary & Journal App screenshot 3
Notebook - Diary & Journal App screenshot 4
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

  • πŸ‘ Simple and easy to use
  • πŸ”’ Password protection
  • πŸ’‘ Convenient for journaling and note-taking
  • πŸš€ Smooth and responsive
  • πŸ‘ Organized by date

Room to Improve

  • πŸ› Occasional crashes or glitches
  • 🚫 Unable to insert photos or attachments
  • 🚫 Limited formatting options
  • 🚫 No cloud sync or backup
  • 🚫 Not compatible with iPad
Journal#2

Journal by Apple

Reflect on life’s moments
Strong Contender
πŸ’ͺ Health & Fitness
4.8😊(231K ratings)
Free
Journal screenshot 1
Journal screenshot 2
Journal screenshot 3
Journal screenshot 4
Journal screenshot 5
Journal screenshot 6

Capture and reflect on life's moments with rich media like photos, videos, and audio. Intelligent suggestions and prompts help you start writing, while multiple journals and goal tracking support a consistent practice. Sync across devices for seamless access.

What We Love

  • πŸš€ Journaling made easy
  • πŸ”’ Private and secure
  • πŸ‘ Organized and intuitive
  • πŸ‘ Helpful suggestions and prompts
  • πŸ‘ Convenient voice recording
  • πŸ‘ Integrates with photos and activities

Room to Improve

  • πŸ› Cursor jumps around while typing
  • πŸ› Occasional crashes and freezes
  • πŸ” Lack of search and filtering options
  • πŸ” Inability to organize entries into folders or tags
  • πŸ” Limited customization options for fonts, colors, etc.
  • πŸ“± Not available on iPad or Mac
PenCake: Minimal Writing App#3

PenCake: Minimal Writing App by Diffathy, Inc.

Private journal, diary & notes
Worth Considering
🌟 Lifestyle
4.3(106 ratings)
FreeIn-App Purchases
PenCake: Minimal Writing App screenshot 1
PenCake: Minimal Writing App screenshot 2
PenCake: Minimal Writing App screenshot 3
PenCake: Minimal Writing App screenshot 4
PenCake: Minimal Writing App screenshot 5
PenCake: Minimal Writing App screenshot 6

A minimalist writing app designed for focused journaling, storytelling, and personal expression. Enjoy a distraction-free interface with elegant typography and seamless cross-device syncing. Secure your work with auto-save and biometric protection.

More Writing Journal apps to explore

FAQ about Writing Journal

What are the best writing journal apps for iPhone?
Notebook - Diary & Journal App tops our writing journal apps ranking as of September 2026, with a 4.7-star average from 14K App Store ratings, and it's free to download.
Yes β€” 19 of the top writing journal apps we rank are free to download, including Notebook - Diary & Journal App and Journal.
Notebook - Diary & Journal App shows ads and offers in-app purchases, according to its App Store listing as of September 2026.
We track 249+ writing journal apps on the iOS App Store as of September 2026, ranked by rating, recency, and analysis of real user reviews.
Notebook is a simple and elegant note-taking and diary app designed to make journaling feel natural. It organizes your daily notes on a single page, allowing you to flip through your entries like a real book. The app offers features like iCloud sync, passcode lock, and a realistic page-turning effect.
The app simulates the experience of turning pages in a physical book. Each day's notes are presented on their own page, and you can swipe or tap to navigate between them, rediscovering your memories with a smooth, book-like animation.

Related searches