What the prices show
Plain journals and most AI journals sit in two clear price bands. Most AI journals charge two to four times as much a year as plain journals.
- Plain journals: $29.99 to $49.99 a year (Grid Diary, Journey and Day One)
- Most AI journals: $99.00 to $139.00 a year (Life Note, Untold, Mindsera and Lightpage)
- Lower-priced AI options: Reflection at $35.99 to $69.00 and Dawn Light Plus at $39.99
- Lifetime options: $119.99 (Dawn Light) to $299.00 (Stoic)
- One weekly plan: Lightpage at $4.99 a week
- No purchases at all: Apple Journal
How this table was made
Each app's US App Store page was read on October 17, 2026, and every price was copied as the listing shows it. A price goes in the monthly, yearly or lifetime column only when the purchase's own name says so. Everything else is listed under Other purchases with its name, so nothing is guessed.
Which apps are included
The table covers Apple Journal, widely used general journals and the AI and voice journals that App Store search shows first. Dawn Light is ours, and it is included so you can compare it on the same terms. The scope is kept small so every row can be checked again each quarter.
Limits of the data
- App Store pages show at most about 10 purchases, so Day One, Journey and Stoic may sell more options than listed
- Listings can include old, introductory or offer prices next to the current ones
- Prices are for the US storefront in US dollars. Other countries pay different prices
- Some apps also sell plans on their own websites at other prices
Changes to this table
We check every row again each quarter and whenever a listed app changes its prices. The next full check is due by January 17, 2027.
| Date | Change |
|---|---|
| October 17, 2026 | First edition: 14 apps checked on the US App Store |
Questions about journal app prices
What is the cheapest journal app with AI?
In this table, the lowest yearly prices with AI features were Reflection's $35.99 launch special and Dawn Light Plus at $39.99. Life Note, Untold, Mindsera and Lightpage listed $99.00 to $139.00. Dawn Light's AI needs an iPhone with Apple Intelligence.
Is there a free journal app with no purchases?
Yes. Apple Journal shows no in-app purchases. Dawn Light is also free for unlimited voice entries, with Plus as an option.
Can I use this data on my own site?
Yes. Download the CSV or JSON file and link back to this page. Tell us at dawnlight@humenhuk.com if a price has changed.
How do privacy labels compare across these apps?
The same 14 apps' App Store privacy labels are in a companion table.
Sources
Try the free voice journal
Dawn Light records and transcribes for free, with no limit. Plus adds on-device summaries for $39.99 a year in the US.
Get Dawn Light freeUnlimited entries, transcripts, search and iCloud sync. For iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch. Works with iOS 26, iPadOS 26 and watchOS 26 or later.