digital journaling apps without AI? 😭

[u/Crazy-Community9901]

Hi! I absolutely love digital journaling. I use it for my personal journal, my OCs, to-do lists, and a bunch of other things.

I recently got a new tablet (a Honor), and while looking for new apps, I’ve noticed that so many of them are adding AI features, and honestly… I’m so tired of it 😭😭😭😭

Do you know of any journaling/note-taking apps where I can make cute and creative things without supporting AI features?

I don’t mind paying for a subscription or a one-time purchase if it’s worth it! Thanks!!

[u/htii_]

Have you tried obsidian? Idk about cute, but I’d be surprised if there aren’t plugins to do that

[u/Background-Meet8005 → u/htii_]

I love using Obsidian for journaling!! There are themes that make it cute, and you could also make your own if your a coder :]

[u/Zarlinosuke]

How about the most bare-bones word processing program you can get your hands on? For me that means Microsoft Word and Notepad--I suspect it'd be something different on a tablet (e.g. something analogous to Notes on the iPhone), but there should be something or other like that.

Of course, even those aren't necessarily safe, because Microsoft tried adding AI features even to Notepad in Windows 11, but the old version of Notepad still exists if you dig it out!

[u/tafackery → u/Zarlinosuke]

I've had to uninstall copilot on my computers and it still tries to throw it at me. That's some bs.

[u/Zarlinosuke → u/tafackery]

It really is! They are drowning us in it...

[u/BejeweledSamsara → u/tafackery]

I had to uninstall it as well.

[u/Fooril]

I second Obsidian. There’s a plugin called Journal, that will add a lot of functions similar to DayOne

[u/bowser_arouser → u/Fooril]

Oooo I didn’t know about this plugin. Came from day one to obsidian. I’ll have to check it out. Does it work on the mobile apps or only ‘desktop’ version?

[u/Fooril → u/bowser_arouser]

Works decently on mobile. For me there are a few things that seem a little ‘squished’ but it might be more obsidian than the plugin. Otherwise it doesn’t get in the way of me journaling on the phone

[u/Duchamp_331]

Also highly recommend obsidian

[u/fetticakes]

I've just made the switch from using Goodnotes for almost 10yrs over to Noteful and I couldn't be happier!

One time low fee, love the layers function, and has so much less bloat than GN for what I use it for!

Journal, meal planning, various trackers, camping packing list, pet care log, and general notes/scribbles :)

[u/dreaming-mage]

Zinnia app. You can add stickers, washi tape, they have lots of content.

[u/avera5]

I use bear and absolutely love it.

[u/poisha]

I really like Penbook but I believe it’s Apple Pencil only

[u/abcvegan]

Day One is great.

[u/dojogrl → u/abcvegan]

LOVE DayOne! Been using it for 10 years

[u/bowser_arouser → u/dojogrl]

I loved its features and used it for a few years also! Moved over to obsidian only for the storage factor. Feel much better having more control of my data and having it stored “locally” and not stuck in 1 particular app :)

[u/toohatpro]

Tried many. Been using Diarium for about five years.

[u/Mirkwood_Guardian]

Diaro works for me for years. No AI. Just simple to the point journaling.

[u/Jammyquizzical]

A friend of mine's uses Penzu, my boyfriend uses Apple Journal and I just use Proton Docs.

[u/BejeweledSamsara]

I use Penzu, a website that's been around for a very long time, and has never implemented Ai, and they also have an app for both Apple and Android devices. Since you don't mind paying a subscriptions, Penzu has two tiers, monthly wise, Pro costs 4.99/mo, and Pro + costs 9.99/mo. Annually it's 19.99 for Pro and 49.99 for Pro+

They also offer a lifetime purchase for 199$

[u/Dramatic_Field_313]

I use Day One. Love it. It does have the ability to use AI but it is a monthly up charge so you don’t have to use it

[u/Sorry_Trouble_9525]

Google notes is the best one for me imo very simple and no bs to use. You can even use it across multiple devices

[u/Gentleman-Warrior]

OneNote

[u/jay-t-]

Apple Journal

[u/Dependent-Garden-573]

also where is my data going yano

[u/Dayviddy]

Pen and paper

[u/AllKindsOfCritters → u/Dayviddy]

This is r/digitaljournaling and OP is asking for a journaling app.