7 Best iOS 17 Journal App Alternatives in 2024

Ever since Apple announced the Journal app as a newiOS 17 feature, fans have been waiting badly. Unfortunately, theJournal app is missing in iOS 17at the moment. It seems you have to wait for a couple of months to get your hands on this app. That said, it doesn’t mean you can’t start journaling on your iPhone or iPad. There are several third-party journal apps that serve the purpose. If you’re wondering which one to go for, we’re here to help you cut the chase. In this article, we’ve mentioned the 7 best Journal app alternatives that you can use right now. Without any ado, let’s get started!

1. Day One Journal

Released back in 2011, Day One Journal is one of the most highly recommended and loved journaling apps for iPhone and iPad, even in 2024. Also, it has secured Apple’s App of the Year spot numerous times, and, there are reasons for it. Theeasy breezy interfaceblended with anelegant personal spacelets you create multiple journals for every aspect of your life and color-code them for easy organization. This app has everything a user would expect from a digital journal. You can format your journal entries with rich text options, add photos, import your Instagram posts, include handwritten notes/drawings, and even have your voice recordings.

This iOS 17 Journal app alternative helps you form a journaling habit and stay in form. The streak and calendar view helps the momentum going while theprogrammable reminders and customizable templateshelp eliminate the writer’s cramp. Also, for the days when you can’t figure out what to write about, Day One offers personalized suggestions to keep you hooked, making it a great iOS 17 Journal app alternative. The Day One Journal app for iPad is free to download and offers unlimited text entries. However, the paid version comes with some extra bells and whistles, allowing you to add unlimited photos & videos, keep an unlimited number of journals, and sync your writings across multiple devices.

All in all, if you’re looking for an easy-to-use and trusted journal app for iPad or iPhone, it’s worth checking out Day One Journal.ProsConsUser-friendly interfaceYou cannot add photos in the free versionOffers personalized suggestionsEnd-to-end encryption and auto backupsCross platform compatibility

Download(Free,starts at $5.99/month)

2. Moodnotes

Let’s face it. Most of us don’t really have a habit of keeping track of mental health and well-being. Since a bad mood affects your life, tracking your mood is as important as remembering memories. Here comes a fantastic mood tracker and journaling app for iOS users that helps improve your mood, and thinking habits, and relive your life experiences. Aminimal and colorful interfaceis welcoming, asking you to pick your avatar and how are you feeling. You can choose toenter the details manually or scan your mood. You can choose to add more details. Doing this will make you think, reflect, and understand the reason of your mood.

If you’re feeling negative, the Moodnotes app helps youfigure out the trapsandgives you tipsto avoid this in the future. Over time, the app can help you increase self-awareness, reduce anxiety, and develop healthier thinking habits. Besides tracking your mood, this Journal alternative for iPad also has a separate section to record your thoughts and feelings. However, that feature is locked behind the premium version. If you don’t mind going for a paid version, Moodnotes is one of the best journal apps for iPhone that helps record your thoughts and moods.ProsConsFocuses on overall mental well-being as wellYou can only log your mood and can’t record your thoughts in the free versionFocuses on overall mental well bring as welliCloud backup and sync support

Download(Free,starts at $9.99/month)

3. Daylio Journal

Do you like the idea of journaling but don’t have a way with long-form writing? Daylio is the best Journal app alternative for iOS thatlets you express yourself using visuals.It’s a versatile micro journaling app for iPhone and iPad that lets you track whatever you need to. Be it yourfitness, food, emotions, sleep, hobbies, productivity, or gratitude diary. Just a few taps and you can create a log to know how you’re feeling. The app asks you to pick your mood and add activities that you have been doing during the day. The recorded mood and activities count as an entry and are collected in the statistics and calendar. Just like a traditional diary, you can also add some notes to it or decorate it with photos.

In addition to this, you get to enjoy all the standard features of a journaling app such as exporting entries, setting reminders, and creating your goals. With fun and informative charts, you can visualize your everyday patterns and depict fluctuations over time. Daylio Journal doesn’t offer the traditional journaling experience. Rather, it’s a micro-journaling app that’s designed especially for non-writersor users with a super hectic schedule. To sum up, if you’re a non-writer, Daylio Journal can replace the Apple’s Journal app for you.

Download(Free,starts at $4.99/month)

4. Reflectly

Reflectly is one of the most popular journaling apps that help improve your mood, mental health, and productivity. The app uses mindfulness, positive psychology, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help youpractice gratitude, reduce stress, and maintain a good lifestyle. If you fancy a bit of self-dating, this iOS 17 Journal app alternative also supports your self-love journey. It motivates you to invest time in self-care and look inward. You can choose a nickname and your preferred color theme. Then, the app asks you how you’re doing right now. You can use the slider to swing between Really Terrible and Super Awesome. Then, you have to choose from activities that make you feel that way. You can then add a title, include some notes, and complete your check-in.

If you’re a beginner, don’t freak out. This Journal app alternative for iPhone gives youpersonalized prompts and remindersto combat anxiety and build a focused lifestyle. Reflectly also doubles as an amazing mood tracker, thanks to theAI-generated questions and promptsthat are curated based on your past responses. That’s not all. you also get your daily dose of motivation and inspiration to stay on track.ProsConsEasy to use and get aroundSometimes the app may feel too simple and boringHelps you build a lifestyleWorks as a mood tracker as wellOffers personalized motivation and prompts

Download(Free, starts at $4.99/month)

5. 5 Minute Journal

If you’re new to journaling, keeping a record of your thoughts and feelings each day can be a daunting task. Also, you might not have enough time for those long writings. But, if you can spare a mere 5 minutes a day for yourself, this one is the perfect Journal app alternative for iOS that you need to try right now. The 5 Minute Journal app hasquestions and writing prompts that you can answer quickly.

The app will ask you to choose how you feel today. Once selected, you’ll have to jot down three things that make you feel this way. You can also add photos, make daily affirmations, and set a goalyou wish to achieve. This journaling app for iPad also offersdaily quotes and weekly challengesto inspire you. All your entries get displayed on the pretty timeline so you can go back and reflect on your memories any time. Putting it simply, if you don’t have time to journal, this iOS 17 Journal app alternatives app can make your life damn easy.ProsConsBest for beginners and people with busy schedulesThe interface might not impress everyoneDark mode supportPassword protection featureOffers daily inspiration and weekly challanges

Download(Free, starts at $4.99/month)

6. Zinnia

For users who prefer everything minimalistic yet creative, Zinnia Planner and Journal is gonna be your go-to alternative for Apple’s Journal app. Zinnia brings back the essence and nostalgia of a traditional paper notebook but in the most expressive and creative way. You get to choose from a variety of fonts, stickers, templates, and other elements to curate apersonalized digital diaryand express your creativity. On top of it, you get to explore an amazing collection that’s loaded withinspiring designsfrom some of the biggest creators in the journaling community.

You can record your day, special moments, goals, priorities, and schedule them with ease and style. The app lets you export your content in a PDF or share it directly to Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and other social networks. With thesupport for Apple PencilandiCloud syncing, Zinnia secures a top spot when it comes to the best Apple’s Journal app alternatives for iPad in 2024.ProsConsCreative and refreshing interfaceThe monthly subscription is expensive for what it offersApple Pencil and iCloud sync supportCan be used for sketching, creating designs, and moreThe app is loaded with some of the most inspiring templates

Download(Free, starts at $9.99/month)

7. Diarly

Here comes a simple yet powerful free journaling app that offers unlimited text entries, powerful editing, and othernecessary features at no extra cost.Diarly offers anelegant and focused designwith no distractions so you can concentrate on your thoughts. You get a variety of fonts, editing tools, formatting options, and automatic light/dark themes to personalize your journaling experience. You can set goals, add photos, annotate & markup pictures, and do everything you can do on any other journal app.

Moving on, Diarly supports integration withApple’s Health app, Calendar, and Shortcuts app, which makes it a great alternative to Apple’s Journal app. One of the standout features of Diarly iseffortless migrationwhich lets you easily migrate your existing entries from the older journal app. All the basic features are available for free. If you opt for a premium version, you get cross-device sync, unlimited journals, advanced exporters, built-in AI assistant, and other features.ProsConsThe free version offers all the essential featuresOnly offers yearly subscription modelsEasy migrationSeamless integration with Apple Health app

Download(Free, $19.99/year)

So, these are the best journaling apps for iPhone and iPad that you can use until Apple’s official Journal app is released on iOS 17. Do let us know which journaling app you plan to use. Moreover, if you can think of any other journal app that we might have missed, comment down below.

Kanika Gogia

Kanika has been a loyal iPhone user since 2014 and loves everything Apple. With a Master’s in Computer Applications, passion for technology, and over five years of experience in writing, she landed at Beebom as an Apple Ecosystem Writer. She specializes in writing How To’s, troubleshooting guides, App features, and roundups for Apple users to help them make the best use of their gadgets. When not writing, she loves to try out new recipes and enjoy some family time.

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