COMPREHENSIVE COMPARISON
Kept vs Apple Journal: What happens to your writing over time
Both applications run on iOS and store entries on your device. The difference lies in what you receive back: a scrolling timeline of prompts, or a structured one-page summary on the day you choose.
Overview
Apple Journal is integrated into iOS with automatic suggestion prompts from workouts, music, and locations. Kept is a quiet, prompt-free journal designed to give you a single structured page back whenever you ask for one.
Direct feature comparison
| Dimension | Kept | Apple Journal |
|---|---|---|
| Database Encryption | SQLCipher (AES-256) with key in iOS Keychain | Encrypted with device passcode / iCloud backup |
| One-Page Summaries | Yes, generated on request with counted facts and quotes | No |
| Account Requirement | None (zero accounts, no sign-up) | Apple ID |
| Day-One Context | 5-photo library backfill creates a year of entries in 20 minutes | Starts as an empty feed |
| Data Portability | Plain Markdown export & encrypted backup | System share sheet |
| Pricing | Free to write; optional summary subscriptions ($9.99/mo, $39.99/yr, $99.99 once) | Included free with iOS |
Key differences in practice
Summary Generation
Generates a structured one-page summary on request with counted figures, quotes, and three reflection questions.
No summary generation. Entries remain a continuous chronological list.
Timeline Interface
Multi-year grid with generated abstract visual marks for every entry.
Vertical scrolling card feed.
Prompts & Suggestions
Prompt-free. You write what is on your mind without algorithmic suggestions.
Prompts derived from workouts, photos, podcast listening, and places visited.
Data Export
Instant Markdown export and encrypted backup files locked with your own passphrase.
Limited export options through standard system share sheets.
The verdict
If you want system-level suggestions based on your daily iPhone activity, Apple Journal is built for you. If you want prompt-free reflection, instant photo onboarding, and a one-page summary of counted facts and verbatim quotes for therapy or personal review, Kept provides the structured page.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use both Kept and Apple Journal together?
Yes. Many people use Apple Journal for quick location-based logs and Kept for focused reflection and session summaries.
Does Kept read my Apple Journal entries?
No. Kept operates in complete isolation in its own sandboxed container.
Compare other journals
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