Best Journaling Apps for Mental Wellness: 2025 Review and Comparison
Therapists have recommended journaling for decades. There's substantial evidence that writing about emotions, experiences, and patterns supports mental health—reducing anxiety, processing trauma, improving mood, and enhancing self-awareness.
But blank journals can be intimidating. Where do you start? What do you write? How do you maintain consistency?
Enter digital journaling apps: guided prompts, mood tracking, pattern analysis, reminders, and privacy—all in your pocket.
But with hundreds of journaling apps available, which are actually therapeutic? Which respect your privacy? Which deliver value?
As a therapist who's recommended journaling to countless clients (and tested these apps personally), I'll review the best mental health journaling apps for 2025.
What we'll cover:
- Why journaling helps mental health
- Key features to look for
- Detailed reviews of top apps
- Privacy and security considerations
- Which app suits your needs
- Free vs paid options
TL;DR:
| App | Best For | Price | Privacy | Ease of Use | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daylio | Mood tracking, minimal writing | Free / £4.99 one-time | Good (local storage option) | Excellent | Best for quick daily check-ins |
| Day One | Detailed journaling, multimedia | Free / £34.99/year | Excellent (encryption) | Excellent | Best full-featured journal |
| Reflectly | Guided prompts, CBT-based | Free / £39.99/year | Moderate | Good | Best for structured reflection |
| Bearable | Symptom + mood tracking | Free / £4.99/month | Good | Moderate | Best for health conditions |
| Journey | Cross-platform, feature-rich | £34.99/year | Good | Good | Best for power users |
Why Journaling Supports Mental Health
The Evidence
Decades of research demonstrate journaling's mental health benefits:
Emotional processing: Writing about difficult emotions helps process and metabolise them, reducing intensity.
Pattern recognition: Tracking moods, triggers, and behaviours reveals patterns invisible day-to-day.
Stress reduction: Expressive writing reduces cortisol (stress hormone) and improves immune function.
Trauma recovery: Structured trauma writing (with therapeutic support) aids processing and integration.
Cognitive clarity: "Externalising" thoughts onto page (or screen) creates mental space and reduces rumination.
Self-compassion: Reflective journaling fosters self-awareness and compassionate self-relating.
How Journaling Works
Therapeutic mechanisms:
1. Exposure: Writing about feared or avoided emotions is a form of exposure therapy—gradually reducing emotional charge.
2. Coherence: Creating narrative structure helps make sense of chaotic experiences.
3. Cognitive reframing: Writing allows you to examine thoughts objectively, identifying distortions.
4. Emotional regulation: Naming emotions ("I feel anxious and overwhelmed") reduces their intensity (affect labellling).
5. Self-validation: Journaling validates your experience—"This happened. It mattered."
What to Look for in Mental Health Journaling Apps
Essential features:
1. Privacy and security: Your journal contains sensitive information. Look for encryption, passcode protection, and clear privacy policies.
2. Ease of use: Complicated interfaces undermine consistency. Simple, intuitive design essential.
3. Prompts and structure: Blank pages intimidate. Guided prompts help you start.
4. Mood tracking: Quantifying mood alongside written entries reveals patterns.
5. Data insights: Pattern analysis, charts, trends help you understand yourself better.
6. Reminders: Gentle notifications support consistency.
7. Export options: Ability to export data (in case you want to switch apps or share with therapist).
8. Offline access: Some apps require internet; best ones work offline.
App Reviews
1. Daylio
What it is: Micro-journaling app focusing on mood tracking with minimal writing. Select mood, activities, add optional notes.
How it works:
- Select mood (rad, good, meh, bad, awful—customisable)
- Choose activities (exercise, socialising, work, etc.—customisable)
- Add brief note (optional)
- View patterns over time via charts and statistics
Pricing:
- Free version: Full functionality with ads
- Premium (one-time £4.99): Ad-free, unlimited activities, custom moods, export data, advanced statistics
Privacy:
- Good: Data stored locally on device (not cloud, unless you enable backup)
- Optional cloud backup (encrypted)
- Passcode protection
Pros:
- Quick: 30 seconds per entry
- Low barrier: No writing required (though optional)
- Excellent pattern recognition: Charts show mood vs activities correlations
- Affordable: One-time payment, not subscription
- Highly customisable: Moods, activities, icons fully customisable
- Useful for therapy: Clients can screenshot charts to share with therapists
Cons:
- Minimal depth: Not suitable if you want detailed expressive writing
- Over-simplified: 5-point mood scale may feel reductive
- Limited prompts: Doesn't guide reflection deeply
Who it's for:
- People who find writing intimidating
- Those wanting quick daily mood check-ins
- Individuals tracking patterns to identify triggers
- Complement to therapy (bringing charts to sessions)
Therapist perspective: "Daylio is brilliant for clients who resist traditional journaling. The simplicity means they actually use it. Patterns that emerge ('I feel worse on days I don't exercise') are powerful insights." — Emma Richardson, BACP Counsellor
Verdict: Best for quick, consistent mood tracking. Not suitable if you want in-depth journaling. Excellent value (one-time £4.99).
2. Day One
What it is: Full-featured digital journal with rich text, photos, audio, location, weather, and robust organisation.
How it works:
- Write entries (text, photos, audio, video)
- Organise into journals (e.g., separate journals for gratitude, therapy reflections, daily life)
- Automatic metadata (location, weather, date, time)
- Search and browse entries
- View memories (on-this-day reminders)
Pricing:
- Free version: Basic features, one journal, 10 photos/month
- Premium (£34.99/year or £4.99/month): Unlimited journals, photos, audio, end-to-end encryption, advanced search
Privacy:
- Excellent: End-to-end encryption (premium)
- Passcode/biometric lock
- Cloud sync encrypted
Pros:
- Beautiful design: Feels like premium notebook
- Multimedia: Photos, audio, video enrich entries
- Powerful organisation: Multiple journals, tags, filtering
- Prompts: Daily prompts if you need inspiration
- Export: PDF, JSON, plain text
- Cross-platform: iOS, Mac, Android, web
Cons:
- Expensive: £34.99/year for premium features
- Free version limited: 10 photos/month, one journal
- Can feel overwhelming: Many features; steep learning curve
Who it's for:
- People wanting comprehensive digital journal
- Those who enjoy writing detailed entries
- Anyone valuing aesthetics and design
- Users wanting multimedia journaling (photos, audio)
Therapist perspective: "Day One is like the gold standard of journaling apps. Clients who enjoy writing find it supports rich, reflective practice. The encryption is reassuring for sensitive content." — Dr. Priya Sharma, Clinical Psychologist
Verdict: Best full-featured journal app. Expensive but high quality. Worth it if journaling is central to your mental health practice.
3. Reflectly
What it is: AI-powered journaling app using positive psychology and CBT principles. Asks tailored questions based on your mood and previous entries.
How it works:
- Rate your day (1-10)
- Answer AI-generated questions about your mood, gratitude, challenges, goals
- Review insights and patterns
- Access guided exercises (breathing, affirmations, challenges)
Pricing:
- Free version: Limited features, daily prompts
- Premium (£39.99/year or £7.99/month): Unlimited journaling, advanced insights, all exercises
Privacy:
- Moderate: Cloud-based; data encrypted in transit and at rest
- Privacy policy: Collects usage data for AI improvement
- Passcode protection
Pros:
- Guided structure: Questions help you start
- AI personalisation: Questions adapt to your patterns
- Positive psychology focus: Gratitude, affirmations, growth mindset
- Beautiful interface: Soothing design
- Insights: Charts and patterns
Cons:
- Expensive: £39.99/year is high for journaling app
- AI can feel gimmicky: Some questions feel generic
- Cloud-dependent: Requires internet; data not local
- Free version very limited: Essentially a trial
Who it's for:
- People who want structured guidance
- Those drawn to positive psychology and CBT
- Individuals who struggle with blank page
- Anyone wanting daily prompts
Therapist perspective: "Reflectly's prompts are hit-or-miss. When they land, they're helpful. When they don't, they feel robotic. The positive psychology bent is good for some clients but can feel invalidating for others in acute distress." — James O'Neill, Integrative Therapist
Verdict: Good for structured, positive-focused journaling. Expensive. AI adds value for some, feels unnecessary to others.
4. Bearable
What it is: Symptom and mood tracker designed for people with chronic health conditions. Tracks symptoms, moods, medication, sleep, diet, activities.
How it works:
- Log daily: mood, symptoms (pain, fatigue, anxiety, etc.), medication, sleep, diet, activities
- View correlations (e.g., "Pain worse on days with poor sleep")
- Generate reports to share with doctors/therapists
- Track over time to identify patterns
Pricing:
- Free version: Basic tracking
- Premium (£4.99/month or £39.99/year): Unlimited symptoms, advanced insights, export reports
Privacy:
- Good: Data encrypted
- Passcode protection
- HIPAA/GDPR compliant
Pros:
- Comprehensive health tracking: Mental + physical health
- Correlation analysis: Identifies patterns between symptoms, mood, behaviours
- Useful for medical appointments: Generate reports for doctors/therapists
- Customisable: Track exactly what matters to you
- Supportive for chronic conditions: Designed for long-term tracking
Cons:
- Can feel overwhelming: Lots to track
- Subscription required for full features
- Medical focus: May feel clinical rather than reflective
- Time-consuming: Daily logging takes commitment
Who it's for:
- People with chronic physical or mental health conditions
- Those wanting to understand symptom patterns
- Individuals preparing for medical/therapy appointments
- Anyone needing comprehensive health tracking
Therapist perspective: "Bearable is excellent for clients with complex, chronic presentations—fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, long COVID, chronic depression. The data helps them and their healthcare team make informed decisions." — Dr. Linda Zhang, Psychiatrist
Verdict: Best for chronic health conditions. Comprehensive, evidence-based, useful for healthcare coordination. More clinical than reflective.
5. Journey
What it is: Cross-platform journaling app with robust features, cloud sync, and multimedia support.
How it works:
- Write entries with text, photos, video, audio
- Organise with tags, folders, journals
- Search and filter entries
- Cloud sync across devices
- Coach program (guided journaling courses)
Pricing:
- Free version: Basic features
- Premium (£34.99/year): Unlimited photos, cloud sync, advanced features
Privacy:
- Good: End-to-end encryption (premium)
- Passcode/biometric lock
- Multiple cloud options: Google Drive, Dropbox
Pros:
- Cross-platform: Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, web
- Powerful features: Tags, search, organisation
- Coach program: Guided journaling challenges
- Multimedia: Photos, audio, video
- Customisable
Cons:
- Interface less polished than Day One
- Free version very limited
- Can feel cluttered
Who it's for:
- Android users (Day One is primarily Apple-focused)
- People wanting cross-platform flexibility
- Those who value organisation and search
Verdict: Solid alternative to Day One, especially for Android users. Less elegant but more flexible.
Privacy Comparison
Most private:
- Day One (end-to-end encryption, premium)
- Daylio (local storage option)
- Bearable (HIPAA/GDPR compliant)
Moderate privacy: 4. Journey (encryption available) 5. Reflectly (encrypted but cloud-dependent, collects usage data)
Red flags:
- Apps selling data to third parties
- Lack of encryption
- Vague privacy policies
- Requiring excessive permissions
Always check privacy policy before journaling sensitive information.
Free vs Paid: Is Premium Worth It?
Free versions work if:
- You're trying journaling for first time
- Basic features meet your needs
- Privacy isn't paramount (though still important)
Upgrade to premium if:
- Journaling becomes regular practice
- You need advanced features (multiple journals, unlimited entries, export)
- Privacy is essential (encryption)
- You want to support developers (sustainable apps need funding)
Best value: Daylio Premium (one-time £4.99): Most affordable, no subscription
Best features for price: Day One or Journey (£34.99/year): Comprehensive features
Which App Should You Choose?
Choose Daylio if you:
- Want quick, simple mood tracking
- Find writing intimidating
- Need pattern recognition
- Want affordable one-time payment
Choose Day One if you:
- Enjoy detailed writing
- Want beautiful, premium experience
- Value privacy (encryption)
- Use Apple devices
Choose Reflectly if you:
- Want structured prompts
- Appreciate positive psychology
- Struggle with blank page
- Can afford premium (£39.99/year)
Choose Bearable if you:
- Have chronic health condition
- Need symptom + mood tracking
- Want medical/therapy reports
- Track multiple health variables
Choose Journey if you:
- Use Android or want cross-platform
- Need powerful organisation
- Want multimedia journaling
Journaling Best Practices
1. Consistency over perfection: Brief daily entries > occasional essays. Even 2 minutes counts.
2. Honesty: Journals are private. Write truthfully without self-censorship.
3. Experiment: Try different prompts, formats, apps. Find what resonates.
4. Combine with therapy: Share insights (not necessarily full journal) with therapist.
5. Self-compassion: Don't journal "perfectly." Some days you'll skip. That's okay.
6. Balance reflection and rumination: Journaling should process emotions, not spiral into rumination. If you notice excessive negative focus, discuss with therapist.
7. Privacy: Use passcode protection. Consider what you'd want private even from partners/family.
Journaling Prompts for Mental Health
Daily prompts:
- How am I feeling today? (Emotions, not just "good/bad")
- What am I grateful for?
- What challenged me today?
- What did I do to care for myself?
Weekly prompts:
- What patterns did I notice this week?
- What do I need more/less of?
- What am I proud of?
Therapeutic prompts:
- What would I tell a friend in this situation?
- What's beneath this feeling? (Dig deeper)
- What do I need right now?
- If this emotion could speak, what would it say?
When Journaling Isn't Enough
Journaling supports mental health but doesn't replace professional help.
Seek therapy if:
- Journaling reveals concerning patterns (suicidal thoughts, severe symptoms)
- You've journaled consistently for weeks without relief
- Issues feel too complex to process alone
- You need personalised guidance
Journaling complements therapy beautifully—insights from journal become therapy material; therapy insights can be processed through journaling.
Final Recommendations
Best overall: Day One (premium features, privacy, design)
Best value: Daylio (one-time £4.99, excellent functionality)
Best for health conditions: Bearable (comprehensive tracking)
Best for Android: Journey (cross-platform flexibility)
Best for guided journaling: Reflectly (structured prompts)
Try free versions first. Upgrade once you've established journaling habit and know what you need.
Conclusion
Digital journaling apps remove barriers to therapeutic writing: prompts guide you, reminders support consistency, pattern analysis reveals insights, privacy protections secure your thoughts.
No app is perfect. Each suits different needs, preferences, budgets.
The best app is the one you'll actually use. Start with free version, explore, experiment. If journaling becomes valuable, invest in premium.
But remember: the tool matters less than the practice. Journaling—whether on £500 phone app or 50p notebook—supports mental health through reflection, processing, and self-awareness.
The medium is flexible. The benefits are real.
Professional Mental Health Support
Whilst journaling is a powerful self-help tool, it complements rather than replaces professional therapy for significant mental health difficulties.
If you're struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, or life challenges, Kicks Therapy offers compassionate, evidence-based counselling in Fulham (in-person) or online UK-wide.
Book a free 15-minute consultation to discuss how therapy can support your mental health journey.
Kicks Therapy is a BACP-registered counselling service. This review is independent; we have no commercial relationships with app developers.
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