Day One alternatives
By the viva team · checked October 29, 2026
Five journal apps to use instead of Day One.
Which app when
- A full writing journal on web, Mac and WindowsDay One
- Apple devices only, freeApple Journal
- Every device, plus mood trackingJourney
- No subscription, logs your day for youDiarium
- Mood tracking firstDaylio
- One line a day, the year as one pictureviva
At a glance
| viva | Day One | Apple Journal | Journey | Diarium | Daylio | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Web or computer | No | Yes web, Mac, Windows | Partly Mac | Yes web, Mac, Windows, Linux | Yes Mac, Windows | Not stated |
| Long entries | No one line | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Partly notes |
| Photos | Yes | Yes 1 on free plan | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Video | No | Yes paid | Yes | Yes membership | Yes | Not stated |
| Pulls in past photos | Yes subscription | Partly suggestions | Partly suggestions | Partly photo suggestions | Yes photos, calendar, health | Not stated |
| Look back on a year | Yes the hoop | Partly same date | Not stated | Partly paid | Partly same date | Yes Year in Pixels |
| Passcode lock | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mood tracking | No | Not stated | Yes | Yes | Partly tags | Yes |
Official sites and store pages · no prices or ratings · 12 pages checked
- Day One · dayoneapp.com/
- Day One · dayoneapp.com/pricing/
- Apple Journal · apps.apple.com/us/app/journal/id6447391597
- Apple Journal · support.apple.com/guide/iphone/write-in-your-journal-iph9824e83ce/ios
- Journey · journey.cloud/
- Journey · journey.cloud/membership
- Journey · support.journey.cloud/en/categories/purchase-payment/articles/journey-license-comparison
- Diarium · diariumapp.com/
- Diarium · apps.apple.com/us/app/diarium-journal-private-diary/id1436044299
- Daylio · daylio.net/
- Daylio · apps.apple.com/us/app/daylio-journal-daily-diary/id1194023242
- Daylio · play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.daylio
Not in viva · long entries, a lock, mood tracking, video, a computer app, use without signing in, free whole-year fill (it’s in the subscription)
Questions
Is there a free alternative to Day One?
Apple Journal is free on iPhone, iPad and Mac. Journey and Daylio have free versions. Diarium’s Pro upgrade is a one-time purchase rather than a subscription.
Which Day One alternative works on Windows?
Journey and Diarium have Windows apps. Day One itself lists a Windows app too.
