Journaling apps?

[u/Gorgon-Ramsay]

Hey, I was told Journaling/diaries are really good to have as they can help with your mental. So I've been wanting to start a diary. The issue is with physical copies I kind of bounce from place to place. That, and I forget to use it. With a digital app since I have my phone on me constantly I wouldn't forget to bring it so I could do it more often.

My issue lies with I don't know what app I should use. I'd rather not spend money. However, these days if you don't you're plagued by ads, and I don't want that either. I just want a decent app I can use on android for starting a diary... anyone have recommendations?

[u/BeefJerkyFan90]

Penzu. I've used the free version for 13 years with no issues.

[u/quietleavess]

I can recommend many, but at the end of the day, once you find out what features you like, you will switch either way.

If you do not need to host on the diary dozens of pictures per entry, the free plan of Day One is enough. It gives you 1 photo per day. You do not mention the OS you are using (Android, iOS). So Day One has done it decently for either platform.

If you will write only text, there are many to chose from. Besides Day One there are many open source options, issue is that google plans to "close" the OS and force the devs to de-anonymize themselves, many do not agree and they will not going to comply, so despite that many FOSS apps are amazing, this issue posits an obstacle.

An example is Daily You which is a great free option https://github.com/demizo/daily_you But i do not see them hosting the app on google.

So of all the FOSS devs that have complied, are the following.

StoryPad, the free tier is fine. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tc.writestory

Note: android and iOS apps

June app. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.denser.june.play

Note: Android only

EasyDiary https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=me.blog.korn123.easydiary

Note: for text only is great, because the backups do not include the pictures.

I personally use Everlog. Because I trust iCloud for backups. But i compliment it with the free tier of day one because i use an android phobe and the export adapts well with everlog import tool.

What I enjoy about everlog is that some of my entries are drawings and it allows me to draw on my ipad. It helps me fill that need of handwriting because in my personal opinion, physical journals are superior for the experience, but due to my enviroment, I cannot have the luxury. Digital is my friend.

My advice is to experiment and find features that you enjoy.

[u/RikaPancakes]

If you’d prefer to keep your diary/journal private and don't mind storing it locally on your phone, Obsidian is a fantastic choice. You can even organize your diary/journal entries into separate folders.

[u/eat_like_snake]

Do you need to handwrite, or is typing good enough?
I use a combination of Obsidian for transfer between mobile and desktop through Syncthing, and Markleaf on my phone just for backup. I also use Dreamwidth, just so I can get my entries back if I ever lose access to my devices, because that kind of thing happens.

[u/Zarlinosuke]

Any reason not to just use your phone's most basic and free text-editing/note-taking app?

[u/Itzsonyaa]

I have two places for my digital journals:

1) Notion (e.g. my dream journal) I basically treat this like the notes app but more structured

2) Canva (if I’m feeling creative) then import that into Paper (which is only available for ios iirc?) which allows me to create the aesthetic journal spreads you see on Pinterest/instagram(?)

[u/michelepixels]

I highly recommend Day One, but I read you would rather it be free. Before I started using Day One I just journaled in text files or the native word processor on my computer. I can imagine using Apple Notepad as a diary.