The best journaling apps for mental health
By the MOJO team · Updated · 2 min read
The short answer
The best journaling app is one that removes the blank-page problem. MOJO lets you journal by voice and turns it into an entry with your mood, sleep and activity; Day One is a polished classic journal with photos and multiple journals; Stoic guides you with morning and evening prompts; and Reflectly offers structured, prompt-led entries.
Why journal in an app at all
Paper journals are lovely, but apps make it easier to journal anywhere, search old entries, add prompts when you're stuck and see your mood over time. For many people, the biggest win is speed: a few lines on your phone beats a perfect page you never write.
Voice, prompts or free writing?
- Voice journaling: the fastest way in, and great if writing feels like a chore.
- Prompt-led journaling: good when you don't know what to write about.
- Free writing: best for people who already enjoy writing at length.
Our picks
Disclosure: we make MOJO, so it's listed first. Every other app here is one we'd genuinely suggest for the use case, and we've kept descriptions to what each app is known for.
1. MOJOBest for: Voice journaling
Just talk about your day. MOJO transcribes it into a journal entry, picks out your mood, sleep and activity, and helps you see patterns across weeks. You can type too. Launching on iOS and Android on 1 December 2026.
2. Day OneBest for: A polished, classic journal
A long-established journaling app with photos, multiple journals, templates and reminders. Great if you enjoy writing longer entries.
3. StoicBest for: Guided morning and evening prompts
Prompt-led journaling built around morning and evening routines, with reflections inspired by Stoic philosophy and mood tracking.
4. ReflectlyBest for: Structured, prompt-led entries
Walks you through short, structured entries with questions, which helps if you never know where to start.
Apps help, but they're not treatment
Wellness apps are good at building habits and helping you notice patterns. They don't diagnose or treat anything. If low mood, anxiety or exhaustion last for weeks or make it hard to function, talk to a doctor or mental health professional. If you're in crisis, contact your local emergency number or a crisis line such as 988 in the US or Samaritans on 116 123 in the UK.
Frequently asked questions
What's the best journaling app if I hate writing?
A voice journaling app like MOJO. You talk for 30 seconds and it turns what you said into an entry.
Is journaling in an app as good as on paper?
The benefits come from reflecting regularly, not the medium. Use whichever you'll stick with. Apps add search, reminders and mood trends.
This guide is general wellbeing information, not medical advice. If you're worried about your mental health, talk to a doctor or mental health professional.