This free app makes journaling so easy that I've managed to do it for 3 months

2026-04-21 · Source: News and Advice on the World's Latest Innovations | ZDNET · Field: Technology & Digital — Consumer Software Applications, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning · Depth: Fundamental Awareness, short

Summary

Diarly is presented as a highly effective journaling application available across Apple devices, including Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. The author, a professional writer, found it uniquely easy and pleasant to use after struggling with other journaling apps that felt like glorified notepads. Diarly offers both a free version and a $2/month Premium version, with the latter adding features like AI integration, password protection, cross-device sync, unlimited journals, and advanced themes. Key features in both versions include various views (List, Calendar, Maps, Gallery, Stats), image and audio support, basic formatting, icons, moods, tags, templates, notifications, weather integration, and file/link support. The app's intuitive UI allows users to quickly create entries, add moods and tags using simple commands like "/" and "#", and incorporate icons for easy navigation and recall.

Key takeaway

For Apple device users seeking a streamlined and enjoyable journaling experience, Diarly offers a compelling solution. Its user-friendly interface and practical features, like mood and tag integration, make it easy to adopt journaling without a steep learning curve. Consider starting with the free version to evaluate its core functionality, and upgrade to Premium if advanced features like AI or cross-device sync become necessary for your workflow.

Key insights

Diarly simplifies journaling with an intuitive interface and essential features, making the process enjoyable and accessible.

Principles

• Simplicity enhances user adoption.
• Thoughtful UI design reduces learning curves.

Method

To journal with Diarly, open the app, click '+', title the entry (e.g., with the date), and begin writing. Use '/' for mood settings and '#' for tags to categorize entries for easier search and recall.

In practice

• Use Diarly for personal reflection.
• Employ tags for event-specific entries.
• Add icons to highlight important posts.

Topics

• Diarly App
• Journaling Software
• Apple Ecosystem
• User Experience Design
• Journaling Features

Best for: General Interest, IT Professional

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by News and Advice on the World's Latest Innovations | ZDNET.