jrnl alternatives: 4 apps ranked by verified data
Common reasons people leave jrnl: command line only, with no GUI or mobile app, and no photos or rich media. We ranked 4 alternatives by how directly each one replaces jrnl, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Day One currently ranks first.
No alternatives match these filters.
Show all 4 alternativesThe best jrnl alternative for…
The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.
Best jrnl alternative for most people
Day OneA full graphical journal with mobile apps, media and encrypted sync.
Best jrnl alternative for a free plan you can upgrade
ObsidianPlain-text Markdown files with a graphical editor and daily notes.
Best jrnl alternative for open source
Dabble MeAnother low-friction approach: journal by replying to an email.
Best jrnl alternative for Mac
Day OneA full graphical journal with mobile apps, media and encrypted sync.
Best jrnl alternative for Windows
Day OneA full graphical journal with mobile apps, media and encrypted sync.
Best jrnl alternative for Linux
ObsidianPlain-text Markdown files with a graphical editor and daily notes.
Best jrnl alternative for iPhone and Android
Day OneA full graphical journal with mobile apps, media and encrypted sync.
Best jrnl alternative for working in the browser
Day OneA full graphical journal with mobile apps, media and encrypted sync.
jrnl alternatives: common questions
What is the best alternative to jrnl?
Day One ranks first right now. A full graphical journal with mobile apps, media and encrypted sync. Obsidian and Journey follow it in our ranking.
Is there a free alternative to jrnl?
Yes. Day One (free plan + paid), Obsidian (free plan + paid), Journey (free plan + paid) and Dabble Me (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.
Is there an open-source alternative to jrnl?
Yes: Dabble Me.
Which jrnl alternatives work on Linux?
Obsidian and Journey run on Linux.
Why do people switch from jrnl?
The complaints we hear most: command line only, with no GUI or mobile app; no photos or rich media; no reminders or prompts.
How is this list ranked?
Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces jrnl, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.