Mini Diarium
Free, open-source desktop journal that encrypts every entry and never connects to the internet.
- Verified facts
- 5 of 5
- Alternatives ranked
- 6
- Approved reviews
- 0
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About Mini Diarium
Mini Diarium is a private diary app for Windows, macOS and Linux built around one idea: your journal should never leave your computer. Each entry is encrypted with AES-256-GCM before it is written to a local SQLite database, and the app has no sync service, no telemetry and no network code at all. You can unlock the journal with a password, a key file (similar to an SSH key), or both. Writing happens in a rich-text editor with headings, lists, spellcheck and auto-save, and a calendar shows which days have entries. It can import from Mini Diary, Day One and jrnl, exports to JSON or Markdown, keeps automatic backups and shows word counts and writing streaks. It is a rebuilt successor to the unmaintained Mini Diary app, free under the MIT licence and funded by donations. There is no mobile app, and the project has said it will be renamed, though no new name has been chosen yet.
Best for: Privacy-minded writers who want an encrypted journal that stays offline on one computer.
Pros and cons
What works
- Entries encrypted at rest; app makes no network calls
- Key file unlock as well as passwords
- Imports Day One, jrnl and Mini Diary journals
- Free and MIT-licensed on all three desktop systems
Why people leave
- No mobile app
- No sync between devices, by design
- Installers are unsigned, so Windows and macOS show warnings
- Name is set to change, which may confuse searches
Top Mini Diarium alternatives
See all 6- 1
Day One68.8The best-known journal app, with mobile apps and end-to-end encrypted sync if you need more devices.
- 2
jrnl64.8Free open-source command-line journal with optional encryption, for people who live in the terminal.
- 3
Obsidian62.9Local-first Markdown notes with daily-note templates, for a journal mixed with other notes.
- 4
Journey61.8Cross-platform journal with mobile apps and cloud sync, for writing on the go.
- 5
Diaro59.4Diary app with Android and iOS apps and a PIN lock, if a phone journal matters more.
Why people left Mini Diarium
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Mini Diarium: common questions
Is Mini Diarium free?
Yes. Mini Diarium is free, open-source software.
Is Mini Diarium open source?
Yes. The source code is on GitHub at fjrevoredo/mini-diarium.
What platforms does Mini Diarium run on?
Mini Diarium is available for Windows, macOS and Linux.
What are the best alternatives to Mini Diarium?
The highest-ranked Mini Diarium alternatives right now are Day One, jrnl and Obsidian. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.