Automatic reminders help you keep up the habit.Įxporting: Just in case the app stops being developed or you want to move to a different journaling platform, you'll want to be able to export your entries in a format other programs can read, such as PDF or RTF. Reminders: Perhaps the biggest challenge to journaling is remembering to do it. Pleasant interface: A minimalist, uncluttered interface helps you focus on your thoughts and makes journaling a pleasant experience. The best apps for keeping a journal have a few things in common:Įasy entry: If it takes more than a couple of clicks or taps to add a journal entry, chances are you're not going to do it. Add in reminders and the ability to search your journal entries, and digital journaling is almost a no-brainer. They also let you include photos from your phone or posts from your social media feeds to make the journaling experience more rewarding. They give you more context on what you've accomplished and where you might want to go. What makes a great journal app?Ī paper notebook and pen are fine for journaling, but apps offer more. Or, do one better and build your own journal app without any code-just a quick automation. If you don't want a completely new app, you can always use your current note-taking app as your journal.