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Alternatives

The best Journey alternatives

Cross-platform diary with photos, mood tracking, end-to-end encryption and sync across phone, desktop and web. If it is not working for you, here are 8 apps that do the same job, closest match first.

Built from official pricing pages and app store listings, prices checked 2026-11-01. Not paid to be here.

At a glance

AppPricePlatformsPick it if
Journey (the app you have)Free with Journey.Cloud membership: US$6.99/month or US$49.99/yearEverywhere-
Day OneBasic $0Everywhereyou use Apple devices
InkdropBasic $9.98/month or $99.80/year. 30-day free trialMac, Windows, Linux, iPhone, Androidyou want more power-user features
NotesnookFree planEverywhereyou want open source
Standard NotesFree planEverywhereyou want open source
AnytypeFreeiPhone, Android, Mac, Windows, Linuxyou want it free
JoplinFree appiPhone, Android, Mac, Windows, Linuxyou want it free
Reflect NotesPaid appAppleyou want AI built in
CollaNoteFreeAppleyou want it free
1

Day One

Basic $0; Silver $49.99/year; Gold $74.99/year
Day One screenshot from the App Store

Private journaling app with photos, audio, templates and end-to-end encrypted sync across Apple devices, Android, Windows and the web.

Pick it if you use Apple devices.

Free planiPhoneAndroidMacWindowsWeb
2

Inkdrop

Basic $9.98/month or $99.80/year. 30-day free trial

Markdown notes app for developers with end-to-end encrypted sync, Vim keys, plugins and an MCP server for AI agents.

Pick it if you want more power-user features.

PaidMacWindowsLinuxiPhoneAndroid
3

Notesnook

Free plan; paid plans from about $2/month
Notesnook screenshot 1

Private notes with end-to-end encryption on by default, and open source.

Pick it if you want open source.

Free planiPhoneAndroidMacWindowsLinuxWeb
4

Standard Notes

Free plan; paid plans from about $90/year
Standard Notes screenshot 1

End-to-end encrypted notes and files, open source, on every platform.

Pick it if you want open source.

Free planiPhoneAndroidMacWindowsLinuxWeb
5

Anytype

Free; paid plans for more storage and sharing
Anytype screenshot 1

Local-first notes and databases, encrypted by default.

Pick it if you want it free and you need it to work offline.

Free planiPhoneAndroidMacWindowsLinux
6

Joplin

Free app; Joplin Cloud sync about €3/month
Joplin screenshot 1

Free, open-source notes in Markdown, with optional end-to-end encrypted sync.

Pick it if you want it free and you want open source.

Free planiPhoneAndroidMacWindowsLinux
7

Reflect Notes

Paid app
Reflect Notes screenshot 1

Daily notes and backlinks with an AI assistant, stored on your Mac and iPhone.

Pick it if you want AI built in and you use Apple devices.

PaidiPhoneMac

We matched these apps to Journey by what they are for, who they suit and where they run, using our research on each app's official website and app store listing. We have not tested them hands-on for this page. Check the price on each app's own site before you buy.

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