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Best journal apps for Android: make memories that last a lifetime

MGL2361
© nextpit

Keeping a diary seems like a tradition from days gone by. Nowadays, many of us are constantly busy and on the go with little time to spare for writing down our thoughts. However, there is one device we carry around with us everywhere - our smartphone. And if you want to record precious memories without sharing them to social media, you have plenty of options in the form of diary, journal and scrapbook apps. This is why we've compiled a list of the best you can find on Google Play.

Of course, not everyone agrees on the best method for preserving memories - for some visuals are the most impactful, for others writing down feelings and thoughts is preferable. Some want stats and tangible goals to work toward, others just want an archive of important life events. The good news is that we have something for everyone in this list!

Daylio

If you want to keep a diary without writing a single word, Daylio is the app for you. It allows you to record your mood every day, with choices from rad to awful. You can also enter activities from a list, such as work, relaxing, gaming and more, or create your own. Daylio is then able to find patterns and provide useful statistics with a monthly mood chart, allowing you to see which activities are affecting you negatively. The best part is that it can also help when trying to build better habits by allowing you to set goals.

daylio
Daylio is not a traditional journal app, but it can be quite helpful in finding patterns and reversing negative habits. / © NextPit

We should also mention that Daylio has a strict privacy policy, meaning your entries are only yours to see. The app is free, but also offers a 'pay once, unlock forever' premium version, which is ad-free and gives you access to unlimited moods, goals, reminders and more.

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Journey

Life is a journey! This appropriately named app can help you document it. It is one of the best and most feature-full journaling apps on this list. It not only allows you to write down your thoughts and track your mood, but insert photos, videos and audio notes in your entries. You can even add places and the weather of the time of writing. If you are a fan of inspirational quotes, Journey has you covered there too - you can receive new ones daily.

journey app
Journey is one of the most feature-full journaling apps out there. / © NextPit

More importantly, no matter what you choose to document, it will stay private. Journey allows you to keep your diary secret with a password or fingerprint locking. Your precious memories won't be lost either, thanks to the option to back them up in Google Drive. Of course, all these features have a price. You can test Journey in a 7-day free trial after which you will be charged either monthly or yearly.

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Project Life - Scrapbooking

A picture is worth a thousand words! Scrapbooking in general has the power to capture wonderful memories the way words sometimes can't. This is why we've included Project Life in our list. It allows you to choose from a variety of layouts, which you can then fill with photos or colorful designs that come bundles in kits. There are only four free kits and you need to purchase additional ones, but the free kits can be mixed and matched to produce dazzling designs.

project life app
No need to print photos and use scissors and glue when you have Project Life on your smartphone. / © NextPit

Project Life also allows you seamlessly share your finished masterpieces with friends and family. It's a great photo journaling app and even though it doesn't offer stickers and other bedazzling elements you'd find on other apps, it has a great minimalist style and an easy-to-use interface.

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Penzu

If you are looking for a classic diary app, Penzu is probably one of the best bets on this list. The free version of the app is quite basic, allowing you to make text entries daily. However, unlike most of the other apps on this list, there doesn't seem to be the option to add any photos or videos. You can insert emojis and set writing reminders though.

penzu app
Penzu covers the basics and doesn't overwhelm you with unnecessary bling. / © NextPit

Penzu also allows you to sync to the web and other mobile platforms with a focus on security. This unfortunately means that you will need to create an account to use the app. However, if you are looking for an uncomplicated diary app to write your thoughts in, this is one of the best choices, especially with the option to lock journals.

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Luna Diary

"Only the moon listens to my story silently" - this is what you will see when you first launch Luna Diary. It is one of the most unusual, but also one of the most stunning apps on this list. The beautiful landscape transforms as you share more with you diary - the number of stars and flowers multiplies. Of course, this is just the default theme. You will find a variety of gorgeous free and paid backgrounds with the same effects.

luna diary app
The appearance of flowers and stars with new diary entries is motivational. / © NextPit

And below the surface, Luna Diary functions like a true digital diary - allowing you not only to write down your thoughts but to insert photos and videos into your entries. It's not only motivational, but stunning.

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Year in Pixels

If you are a person of few words but would still like to keep track of your moods, Year in Pixels is just the right app for you. Although we have previously mentioned it in our of apps of the week lists, it still deserves a mention here because of how unusual but interesting it is.

year in pixels
Year in Pixels is far from a regular diary app, but it's strangeness makes it great. / © Teo Vogel

You can pick from different colored emojis representing a range of moods. The color of the selected mood will then appear in a calendar. If you keep making entries every day, by the end of the year you should have something that resembles abstract pixel art. It's not only a fun and unusual journal app, but it can also give you insight into what is causing you stress/negative feelings. Definitely check it out.

These are our selections of the best journal and diary apps for Android. What are your favorites? Anything we definitely need to insert in our list? Let us know in the comments.

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  • 25
    Deactivated Account Apr 7, 2019 Link to comment

    "Daily Life: My Diary, Journal" and "Paletto", both of which are from South Korea are also great apps, although customer support is almost nonexistent for the latter.
    I have been using Daylio since last 326 days and I have achieved all 13 achievements including 3 secret achievements.
    So nice of Suzana Maam writing this article, I was searching for such an article two days back on StartPage because I want a new diary and journal writing app. I use Journey for my philosophical writings, I want another app for daily casual writing, it is a bad idea?

    SorinSuzana Dalul


  • 25
    Deactivated Account Apr 6, 2019 Link to comment

    I use Journey Premium to write my thoughts and the app is indispensable to me.

    I write many things, have a look at this poem written by me.

    LIKE NO OTHER… (POEM)
    Showers of blessings, fountains of joy,
    Flowers of springs, mountains of faith;
    Heart that beats for fellow companions,
    Life that rises above abysalls of canyons;
    Time that endears the love for goodness,
    And mind that breeds universal fondness;
    All creations are beautiful altogether,
    Existence is blissful like no other………..

    SorinSuzana Dalul


  • 1
    Techgeeky121 Apr 6, 2019 Link to comment

    google.com


  • Dean L. 34
    Dean L. Apr 6, 2019 Link to comment

    I recently started using journey and like it so far. I have also used daybook and day one, but IMO journey suits me better.

    Sorin


  • 49
    storm Apr 6, 2019 Link to comment

    I'd like to know about where the content was stored. how many of these are cloud services; what are their privacy policies? Is penzu the only one that merited those comments

    SorinDean L.

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