There's a popular saying in the journaling community: "The journaling rabbit hole is deep—once you're in, you can't get out."
That's not an exaggeration. I've seen people whose bookshelves are piled high with journals, whose makeup bags are full of various colored washi tapes, and stickers so numerous they need folders to organize them. Every time they move house, it's a nightmare.
If you don't want to repeat that mistake, digital journaling might be a more rational choice.
Too Many Choices, What to Do?
There really are quite a few diary and journaling apps on the market. A rough count gives us dozens, each with different focus areas: some focus on diary writing, some on review, some go for cute styles, some for minimalist styles.
Today, I won't follow the old routine of putting all apps together and ranking them. Instead, I'll help you find the one that suits you based on different needs.
If You Want: Cute Style + Simple to Use
CanJournals is a digital note app I've used that comes closest to the journaling feeling.
Its positioning is quite interesting—it's neither simply a diary nor a complex note-taking tool. It brings over Notion's block-based editing structure and wraps it in a warm, cute visual style.
For beginners just starting out, this is very friendly. You don't have to face a blank page and worry because templates have already planned out the areas for you. Tap to start writing, and when you're done, you have a complete journal page.
Plus, its template center has quite rich content. Whether you want to record daily life, track moods, or manage tasks, you can find corresponding structures. There's almost no learning curve to get started.
iPad users will have an even better experience when using it with a stylus. However, the mobile version is also fully sufficient—recording a few notes during fragmented time is very convenient.
If You Want: Pure Diary Writing Experience
Day One is a well-established diary app with consistently good reputation.
The interface is clean, without fancy features—it just quietly lets you write. Markdown support is also available, which is a plus for those who prefer plain text.
However, it's closer to a traditional diary notebook, without journaling-style templates. If you only care about writing and not about whether the layout looks good, it's a reliable choice.
If You Want: Powerful Note-Taking Tool
Notion isn't a journaling app per se, but it's incredibly flexible.
Some people really do use it for journaling—using databases to manage diaries, templates to record weekly plans. There's a learning curve, but once you're familiar with it, you can combine various approaches.
The problem is, Notion's interface runs cold. Gray and white color scheme—it gets boring after a while. For those pursuing a cute style, it might not quite hit the mark.
If You Want: Free Is Enough
Memo/Notes apps can actually work as diaries too.
Comes with your phone, no need to download anything extra. Syncs quickly, doesn't take up space. The downside is that the features are too basic—no templates, no reminders, entirely relying on self-discipline.
The advantage is the low barrier to entry, suitable for those who just want to try out what "writing it down" feels like.
If You Want: Handwriting Experience
GoodNotes and Notability are quite common note-taking apps on iPad.
They're essentially handwriting tools, but many people use them for journaling. When used with an Apple Pencil, the pen-and-paper feel is strong. Place a template, highlight with a fluorescent marker—it looks just like a real journal notebook.
这类工具适合本来就喜欢手写、觉得打字少了点温度的人。缺点是跨平台同步体验不如专用的日记应用。
My Recommendation
What beginners fear most is spending too much time choosing tools, only to get tired before even starting to write.
My suggestion is: first pick one that feels good to use, that feels good to use, that feels good to use.
Don't think too much, download it and start writing. After you've written twenty or thirty entries, you'll naturally know what features you need, and then it's time to switch.
CanJournals is very beginner-friendly—I recommend you try it first. Pick a template you like, and start writing from today.
Starting to write is more important than choosing the right tool.