COMPREHENSIVE COMPARISON
Kept vs Daylio: In-depth reflection vs micro-mood tracking
Daylio tracks daily moods through icon buttons and activity tags. Kept is a private writing journal that lets you record real context and delivers a structured one-page summary on request.
Overview
Icon trackers are designed for five-second check-ins. While convenient, clicking icons cannot capture the nuances of work struggles, relationships, or therapy themes. Kept provides fluid text capture with on-device encryption and periodic review sheets.
Direct feature comparison
| Dimension | Kept | Daylio |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Reflective long-form writing | Micro-mood icon logging |
| Summary Deliverable | One-page structured sheet with quotes | Statistical mood charts |
| Database Encryption | SQLCipher (AES-256) on device | Standard app storage / cloud backup |
| Account Requirement | None (zero accounts) | Optional cloud account |
Key differences in practice
Depth of Context
Fluid, full-screen writing with optional mood ratings after writing and attached photos.
Tapping mood icons with optional short note fields.
Summary Deliverable
One-page summary of counted figures, exact quotes, and three reflection questions.
Aggregated monthly mood graphs and activity correlation percentages.
Privacy & Encryption
On-device SQLCipher AES-256 with keys in the iOS Keychain. Zero remote accounts.
Cloud backup and account sync.
The verdict
If you only want to log quick mood ratings and activity tags in five seconds, Daylio is an efficient tracker. If you want to write freely, notice recurring words, and receive a structured one-page summary before your therapy session, Kept provides the writing space.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still track my mood in Kept?
Yes. Kept asks for an optional mood rating after you write, never before, and displays mood-by-topic contrast in the Insights tab.
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