IPHONE APP REVIEW · JOURNAL
Day One
A private journal that keeps you writing
★★★★★ 4.8 · 118,505 ratings on the App Store
- Free
- by Bloom Built
- iOS 18.0 or later
Verdict: The most polished private journal on iPhone; the free version is enough to start.
What Day One does
PRIVATE BY DEFAULT
End-to-end encryption, Face ID lock and automatic backups.
PROMPTS, STREAKS AND REMINDERS
Daily prompts and a calendar of streaks help you keep the habit.
MORE THAN TEXT
Photos, video, audio with transcription and drawings (Premium).
EXPORT ANYTIME
Export to PDF or plain text so your entries stay yours.
The good
- Unlimited text entries for free
- End-to-end encryption
- Apps for iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch
Not so good
- Photos and multiple journals need Premium
- Apple's free Journal app now covers the basics
Get it if
- People starting a daily journal
- Anyone who wants photos and notes from a day in one place
Skip it if
- You only want a quick line a day: Apple Journal is free and built in
What it costs
Free for unlimited text entries in one journal. Premium is $49.99 a year (or $8.99 a month) and adds unlimited photos, multiple journals and more; a Gold tier is $74.99.
Checked on the US App Store on Oct 11, 2026. Prices vary by country. Alternatives people compare it with: Apple Journal, Diarium, Notion.
FAQ
Is Day One free?
Yes, for unlimited text entries in one journal. Premium is $49.99 a year on the US App Store (checked 2026-10-11).
Is Day One private?
It offers end-to-end encryption, and a passcode, Touch ID or Face ID lock.
Day One is made by Bloom Built, not by OneClickTool. Not sponsored: we are not paid for this review. Features are taken from the developer’s App Store description.
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