Daylogue
Day OneDaylogue vs Day One
Day One pioneered private journaling. For over a decade, it's been the gold standard for people who want beautiful design and strong encryption. So why consider Daylogue?
Day One is best for
Users who want a beautiful, mature journaling app with rich media support, printed books, and a proven decade-long track record.
Daylogue is best for
Users who want AI that engages in real conversation, helps surface patterns, and doesn't require you to be a natural writer.
Feature comparison
Two encrypted journals. Different approaches to reflection.
| Feature |  Daylogue |  Day One |
|---|---|---|
| End-to-end encryption | Yes - zero-knowledge for stored content | Yes - on by default since v4.2 |
| User holds encryption keys | Yes - keys never leave your device | Yes - optional iCloud key backup |
| AI journaling features | Yes - conversational with follow-ups, themes, trends | Yes - summaries, prompts, image gen (opt-in) |
| AI-first design | Yes - built around conversational AI | No - AI added later as optional features |
| Offline support | Yes - full offline functionality | Yes - well-established |
| Voice journaling | Yes - multi-language voice input | Yes - audio recordings |
| Rich media (photos, video) | Coming soon | Yes - unlimited photos, videos, drawings |
| Platform support | iOS, Web | iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Web, Watch |
| Print your journal | No | Yes - professional book printing |
| Simple setup (no config) | Yes - encrypts by default, nothing to configure | Partial - some encryption options to consider |
| Data export | Yes - full export | Yes - PDF, HTML, JSON |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes (limited) |
Where Day One excels
Day One has earned its reputation. Here's why.
Where Daylogue is stronger
Different priorities lead to different strengths.
AI-first design
Day One added AI features as optional extras. Daylogue was built around conversational AI from day one. The experience is integrated, not bolted on.
Deeper conversation
Daylogue's AI asks follow-up questions based on what you share. It builds context over time. Day One's AI generates summaries and prompts but doesn't engage in back-and-forth.
Richer insights
Weekly, monthly, and yearly recaps. Themes that emerge across entries. Goals and habits tracked alongside reflection. Day One shows you your past. Daylogue helps you understand it.
Lower barrier to entry
You don't need to know what to write. Daylogue asks simple questions. You answer. Patterns emerge. Day One assumes you're a journaler. Daylogue meets you where you are.
Cleaner privacy model
Both encrypt at rest. But Daylogue's architecture has fewer places where data could leak. No complex key hierarchy with iCloud backup options.
Simpler decision
Day One offers many options (enable E2EE, backup key to iCloud, etc.). Daylogue encrypts by default. Nothing to configure.
How encryption compares
Both Day One and Daylogue offer genuine end-to-end encryption. This isn't marketing. Both use strong cryptographic standards.
Day One's approach
- Uses AES-GCM-256 for entry encryption
- Hybrid system: symmetric keys for content, asymmetric for key exchange
- Master key stays on device
- Optional: backup encryption key to iCloud
- Encryption on by default since version 4.2
Daylogue's approach
- Zero-knowledge architecture for stored content
- Keys never leave your device
- No optional key backup to cloud services
- Encrypted sync works like 1Password
- Simpler model with fewer configuration options
The practical difference: Day One gives you options. Daylogue gives you defaults. If you want control and customization, Day One delivers. If you want simple, automatic protection, Daylogue is more opinionated.
Common questions
Is Day One's encryption as strong as Daylogue's?
Both use industry-standard encryption (AES-256). The technical strength is comparable. The difference is in architecture and defaults. Day One offers more configuration options. Daylogue has fewer moving parts.
Can Day One staff read my journal?
With end-to-end encryption enabled (default since version 4.2), Day One staff cannot access your journal content. The same is true for Daylogue. Both apps have achieved true zero-knowledge for encrypted content.
Does Day One have AI features?
Yes. Day One added AI features in 2025 as part of their Labs program. Features include entry summaries, prompt generation, AI-generated images, and multi-entry summaries. These are opt-in and require Premium. The AI temporarily decrypts content for processing, similar to Daylogue.
Which has better offline support?
Both work offline. Day One's offline support is well-established after years of development. Daylogue offers full offline functionality. For offline use, both are solid choices.
Should I switch from Day One to Daylogue?
That depends on what you want. If you love Day One's multimedia features, book printing, and mature ecosystem, stay with Day One. If you want an AI that engages with you and helps surface patterns without extra effort, try Daylogue.
Can I use both?
Yes. Some people use Day One for media-rich memory capture and Daylogue for daily reflection and AI-guided journaling. They serve different purposes.