Daily Journal App - My Diary vs its rivals

Side-by-side comparison against Daily Journal App - My Diary's closest competitors — identity, store metrics, ratings & sentiment, and strategic intel.

Journal
Nemesis
Doing Doing
Contender
A Lemon Diary
Contender
4rabet
Peer
Core Identity
DeveloperLeoStudio GlobalApple荣九 蔡Chaehui SeoJiani LiZIZICICI LIMITEDCHANHO LEEHangzhou Jina Information Technology Co., Ltd.Jake BieleDev2A
CategoryLifestyleHealth & FitnessLifestyleLifestyleLifestyleLifestyleLifestyleLifestyleSportsLifestyle
PlatformiOSiOSiOSiOSiOSiOSiOSiOSAndroidiOS
Store Metrics
Rating2.8 / 54.8 / 54.7 / 54.6 / 54.8 / 55.0 / 54.3 / 54.8 / 53.2 / 54.6 / 5
Ratings Count12273,0311097126651016
PriceFreeFreeFreeFreeFreeFreeFreeFreeFreeFree
Release DateJun 27, 2024Oct 26, 2023Jun 5, 2022Sep 26, 2020Aug 18, 2019Jul 25, 2023Aug 16, 2023Feb 3, 2025Feb 23, 2026Sep 26, 2025
Last UpdatedSep 20, 2024Dec 12, 2025Jun 28, 2026Jun 20, 2026Dec 16, 2024Dec 1, 2025Jun 7, 2026Jul 1, 2026Feb 24, 2026Mar 27, 2026
Sentiment & Reviews
Sentiment-positive----terrible--mixed
Score-90/100----10/100--50/100
Praises---------
  • Friendly aesthetic and creative journal customization tools appeal to beginners in the writing space
Complaints------
  • Aggressive advertisement frequency prevents users from accessing the core daily journaling and illustration features
  • Lack of creative drawing tools forces reliance on automated illustration features for daily entries
--
  • Aggressive paywalling of core features limits the experience for non-paying users post-update
  • Difficult object placement controls hinder the precision of journal layout design
Requests---------
  • Image editing tools like cropping or erasing are needed for better journal composition
Strategic Intel
Strengths
  • Traditional, customizable diary aesthetic appeals to users seeking a personal, non-automated reflection space
  • Granular security options like pattern locks and digit PINs provide privacy-focused users with specific control
  • Curated writing prompts assist with entry creation, lowering the barrier to daily usage
  • System-level integration with iOS photos and health data drives automated entry suggestions
  • Privacy-first brand reputation ensures user trust
  • Poetic leaf metaphor provides a unique narrative structure for daily entries
  • Minimalist UI design reduces cognitive load compared to feature-heavy competitors
  • Bullet journal task states provide a familiar, low-friction workflow for productivity-focused users.
  • Image export sharing functions as a visual referral mechanism for social growth.
  • "Shake to glitch" visual effect creates a unique interaction loop
  • Ad-free, minimalist utility model lowers user friction
  • iCloud integration ensures data portability across Apple devices
-
  • Generative AI visual output provides a personalized creative record
  • Zero-pressure, social-free environment reduces cognitive load for daily logging.
-
  • Creative canvas tools enable artistic expression
  • Massive sticker and image library drives engagement
Weaknesses
  • 2.75 rating on the App Store indicates significant user dissatisfaction with the current build
  • Lack of cloud synchronization limits data portability and backup reliability
  • Absence of monetization gates hinders the ability to fund ongoing feature development
  • iCloud-only sync restricts access for users on non-Apple hardware
  • Limited text-formatting and font customization options
  • Lack of monetization gates limits capital for aggressive feature development
  • Minimalist feature set risks churn when users seek advanced multimedia or AI-driven insights
  • Manual-entry requirement creates high friction compared to automated logging competitors.
  • Lack of cross-platform synchronization limits utility for power users.
  • Zero revenue model limits long-term maintenance capacity
  • No structured journaling templates increase blank-page intimidation
  • Low review volume (12) limits social proof
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  • Aggressive ad frequency blocks core utility
  • Lack of manual drawing tools limits creative expression
  • Absence of historical mood analytics limits long-term user value.
-
  • Aggressive paywalling limits free-tier utility
  • Difficult object placement controls hinder layout precision
Pricingfreefreefreefreefreefreefreefreefreefreemium
MomentumZombieZombieMaintenanceMaintenanceZombieSteadyMaintenanceMaintenance-Maintenance
Update Cadence1 versions, 1 majors/6mo1 versions1 versions, 1 majors/6mo1 versions, 1 majors/6mo1 versions5 versions1 versions1 versions, 1 majors/6mo-1 versions, 1 majors/6mo

Compare Daily Journal App - My Diary head-to-head

Disclosure: Independent intel to help mobile builders succeed.

AI-powered analysis with editorial review, built from publicly available sources. Marlvel.ai is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Daily Journal App - My Diary, its developer, the app publisher, Apple, or Google Play. All trademarks, logos, and screenshots referenced remain the property of their respective owners.

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