Penzu
A private online diary in the browser and on mobile, free to start with paid Pro features.
- Verified facts
- 5 of 5
- Alternatives ranked
- 5
- Approved reviews
- 0
- Visits sent from here
- 0
About Penzu
Penzu is a long-running online journal that treats privacy as its main selling point. You write in a clean, paper-like editor in any web browser or in the iOS and Android apps, and entries save as you type. Journals sit behind a second password, and paid plans add encryption locking, so even a logged-in session cannot open a locked journal without its key. Beyond that it keeps things simple: tags, search, reminders, prompts, custom covers and fonts, and multiple journals for different purposes such as a dream diary or gratitude log. The free Basic plan has no credit card requirement and lets you write as much as you like; Pro and Pro+ plans, billed monthly or yearly with a lifetime option, add encryption locking, customisation, PDF export and premium support. Penzu suits people who want a private diary without installing anything. It lacks the photo-rich timeline, automatic metadata and polished mobile apps of Day One or Journey.
Best for: People who want a private diary that works in any browser without installing anything.
Pros and cons
What works
- Works in any browser
- Free plan with unlimited writing
- Double password and encryption locking on paid plans
Why people leave
- Encryption locking and exports require Pro
- Basic media support
- Mobile apps are simpler than rivals'
Top Penzu alternatives
See all 5- 1
Day One66.5A richer journal with photos, metadata and end-to-end encryption on all plans.
- 2
Journey62.6Also works in the browser, with native apps on every desktop platform.
- 3
Dabble Me59.6Journal by replying to an email, with no app or editor to open.
- 4
Diaro57.2A free diary with a web app and Dropbox sync.
- 5
Reflection55.3Adds guided prompts and AI insights on web and mobile.
Why people left Penzu
In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.
No switching stories yet. If you moved away from Penzu, review the app you switched to and tell us why.
Reviews
No approved reviews yet. How we verify reviewers
Write a review of Penzu
Penzu: common questions
Is Penzu free?
Penzu has a free plan and paid plans. Free plan: Yes, no credit card (checked on Penzu's own site).
Is Penzu open source?
No, Penzu is not open source. Open-source alternatives include Dabble Me.
What platforms does Penzu run on?
Penzu is available for Web, iOS and Android.
What are the best alternatives to Penzu?
The highest-ranked Penzu alternatives right now are Day One, Journey and Dabble Me. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.