Apps and tools for a calm, enjoyable life

Day One Journal

$34.99/year

Day One is a simple and intuitive app for journaling. It lets you capture your life's moments and organize them in a beautiful way.

Our take

An elegant way to document your life's journey.

Alright, let's dive into this Day One Journal thing. So, at first glance, it's this sleek app that promises to keep all your thoughts, memories, and random musings in one tidy digital space. It’s like a diary, but for the modern age. I gotta say, the design is pretty slick. The interface is super clean and intuitive, which is a big plus for folks who get overwhelmed by clutter. You can just open it and start typing away without a second thought. The simplicity definitely helps in getting your thoughts down without distractions. But, you know what? Sometimes it feels a bit too polished, almost like it's trying too hard to be perfect, and that can be a bit of a vibe killer when you just want to pour your heart out.

Now, let’s talk about its features. It’s got some cool ones, like the ability to add photos, tags, and even locations to your entries. It’s kind of like having Instagram and Google Maps mashed into your diary. But here's the kicker: it’s only really useful if you remember to use them. I mean, if you’re just jotting down thoughts, you might not care about tagging or geotagging every single entry. And while the app does a decent job of reminding you to write, those notifications can sometimes feel more like nagging than nudging, you know? Nobody likes being reminded that they haven’t documented their breakfast burrito today.

One thing I find pretty neat is the ability to sync across devices. You can start an entry on your phone and finish it on your laptop, which is great for those of us who are constantly switching between screens. But here’s a heads up: the syncing isn’t always instant. There’s been a couple of times where I’ve had to wait a bit for my entries to show up on all my devices. It’s not a deal-breaker, but if you’re in a rush, it can be a tad annoying. Plus, the whole syncing thing is tied to their subscription model, which means you gotta fork out some cash to get the full experience. That’s something to chew on.

Speaking of cash, Day One isn’t exactly free. There’s a basic version, but if you want all the bells and whistles, you’re looking at a subscription fee. Honestly, the free version is pretty limited, and the premium price might be a turnoff if you’re not fully committed to digital journaling. It’s like paying for a gym membership when you’re still not sure if you’re ever gonna hit the treadmill. If you’re someone who likes to try before you buy, you might feel a bit iffy about shelling out for features that other apps might offer for free, albeit in a less polished package.

All in all, Day One Journal is a solid choice if you’re looking for a modern, feature-packed journaling app and don’t mind paying a bit for the convenience. The design and features are top-notch if you actually use them. But if you’re just looking for a simple, no-frills way to jot down your thoughts, you might find all the extras a bit unnecessary. It’s like having a Swiss Army knife when all you need is a regular pen. It really comes down to how much you value those extra features and whether you’re ready to integrate digital journaling into your daily routine, beyond just the occasional entry.

Free and Paid Plans

Free with premium options