COMPREHENSIVE COMPARISON
Kept vs Journey: Local-first security vs cloud synchronization
Journey synchronizes entries across platforms using Google Drive and cloud servers. Kept keeps your writing strictly on your iPhone with local SQLCipher encryption and zero remote accounts.
Overview
Journey is built for multi-device sync across Android, web, Windows, and iOS. Kept is engineered for iPhone users who prioritize absolute privacy: your writing never lives on a third-party cloud drive, and you get a structured one-page summary on request.
Direct feature comparison
| Dimension | Kept | Journey |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Storage | Encrypted SQLite on iPhone | Google Drive / Journey Cloud |
| Account Model | Zero accounts | Mandatory Google/Apple login |
| Summary Deliverable | Counted facts, verbatim quotes, reflection questions | Timeline search and flashbacks |
| Writing Access | Free forever (Only summary is paid) | Subscription required for full features |
Key differences in practice
Storage Architecture
SQLCipher (AES-256) on iPhone only. Keys stored in the secure iOS Keychain.
Synchronized with Google Drive or Journey Cloud servers.
Periodic Summaries
Structured one-page summary with counted metrics, quotes, and reflection questions.
Timeline flashbacks, calendar view, and coach programs.
Day-One Onboarding
5-photo library backfill creates a year of context in twenty minutes.
Starts as an empty feed requiring daily entries.
The verdict
If you need to access your journal across Android, web, and desktop via Google Drive sync, Journey is a versatile cross-platform tool. If you want an encrypted iPhone journal with zero cloud dependencies that writes you a one-page summary, Kept provides the private space.
Frequently asked questions
Can I backup my Kept journal safely without cloud sync?
Yes. Kept includes encrypted backup export locked with a personal passphrase using scrypt and XChaCha20-Poly1305.
Compare other journals
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