Apple Journal vs Penzu:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Penzu had more branded searches than Apple Journal among journaling apps worldwide. Penzu had about 33,100 branded searches, while Apple Journal had 4,400. Penzu made up 10.4% of all journaling app searches we track, and Apple Journal accounted for 1.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about journaling apps, Apple Journal appeared in all five answers and Penzu in none.
Who do people search for more?
Penzu, about 8 searches for every 1 for Apple Journal
Who does AI mention more?
Apple Journal, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Apple Journal, the only one of the two named
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Top journaling apps in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Apple Journal appeared in all five answers. Penzu did not appear in any of the five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Day One5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Apple Journal5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Journey4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Daylio3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Diarium3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Reflectly1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers- Penzu0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about journaling apps
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which journaling app should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best journaling apps?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best journaling app for daily reflection?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“journaling apps”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“journal app”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is Apple Journal or Penzu more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Apple Journal and Penzu by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven journaling apps we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Penzu, Apple Journal. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Day One | Penzu | Daylio | Diarium | Reflectly | Apple Journal | Journey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 62.5% | 17.7% | 7.9% | 5.3% | 2.9% | 3.5% | 0.06% |
| Nov 2025 | 70.6% | 16.7% | 5% | 3.3% | 2.2% | 2.2% | 0.04% |
| Dec 2025 | 67% | 15.5% | 6.9% | 4.6% | 2.1% | 3.8% | 0.03% |
| Jan 2026 | 63% | 17.6% | 7.9% | 5.3% | 1.9% | 4.3% | 0.05% |
| Feb 2026 | 65.5% | 18.6% | 6.8% | 4.6% | 2% | 2.5% | 0.05% |
| Mar 2026 | 73% | 14% | 5.1% | 4.2% | 1.9% | 1.9% | 0.03% |
| Apr 2026 | 68.8% | 15.9% | 5.8% | 4.8% | 2.6% | 2.1% | 0.03% |
| May 2026 | 85.6% | 7.6% | 2.8% | 1.9% | 1.2% | 1% | 0.01% |
| Jun 2026 | 70% | 13.5% | 7.4% | 3.3% | 4% | 1.8% | 0.03% |
| Jul 2026 | 70.8% | 13.6% | 6.1% | 4.1% | 3.3% | 2.2% | 0.03% |
| Aug 2026 | 70.9% | 13.7% | 7.5% | 3.3% | 2.7% | 1.8% | 0.02% |
| Sep 2026 | 79.2% | 10.4% | 3.8% | 3.1% | 2.1% | 1.4% | 0.02% |
How has the Apple Journal and Penzu comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Penzu was ahead of Apple Journal in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Apple Journal’s share of searches among journaling apps worldwide moved from 3.5% to 1.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 6.6K to 4.4K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Penzu’s share of searches among journaling apps worldwide moved from 17.7% to 10.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 33.1K.
How did search popularity change for journaling apps worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Penzu lost share of searches among journaling apps worldwide, from 13.7% to 10.4%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Apple Journal worldwide fell 33.3% over 12 measured months, from 6.6K to 4.4K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Apple Journal’s and Penzu’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Apple Journal
1 branded search term
- apple journal app
Penzu
1 branded search term
- penzu
Other head-to-heads among journaling apps
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