OhDiary vs Penzu:
A Modern, Free Alternative
Penzu was a pioneer in online journaling—but with an app that hasn't been updated since 2019 and premium pricing up to $50/year, is it still the best choice? Discover why OhDiary is the modern, actively-developed, and completely free alternative.
The Bottom Line
Choose OhDiary if: You want a modern, actively maintained journaling platform that's completely free. OhDiary offers unique features like email-based journaling, Life in Weeks visualization, and 15+ years of proven reliability—while Penzu's apps show signs of abandonment.
A Note About Penzu's Development Status
Penzu's iOS app was last updated on March 5, 2019—over 5 years ago. Recent user reviews mention crashes, bugs, and lack of support. While the web version may still work, this lack of development is concerning for a paid service. OhDiary is actively maintained with regular updates.
Feature Comparison
| Feature |
OhDiary
|
Penzu
|
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free Forever | $19.99-$49.99/yr |
| Active Development | Yes, regular updates | Last iOS update: 2019 |
| Unlimited Entries | Pro only | |
| Daily Email Prompts | ||
| Reply-to-Email Journaling | ||
| Photo Attachments | ||
| Memory Flashbacks | ||
| Mood Tracking | ||
| Life in Weeks View | ||
| Milestones Timeline | ||
| Word Count Analytics | ||
| Encryption | Pro only | |
| Import/Export | ||
| Custom Covers/Themes | Dark/Light mode | |
| Years Running | 15+ years | 13+ years |
| Multiple Journals | Single journal | |
| Mobile App Quality | PWA (modern web) | Outdated, buggy |
The True Cost Over Time
OhDiary
- All features included
- Actively maintained
- Modern, responsive design
- Save $500+ over 10 years
Optional: One-time $89 supporter contribution
Penzu Pro
- Free tier is limited
- App not updated since 2019
- User reviews mention bugs
- $200-500 over 10 years
5 years = $100-250 | 10 years = $200-500
Why Choose OhDiary Over Penzu?
Actively Developed
OhDiary receives regular updates with new features and improvements. Penzu's iOS app hasn't been updated since 2019—that's over 5 years of stagnation.
Email-First Journaling
Reply to our daily email to journal—no app needed. This unique feature makes building a journaling habit effortless. Penzu doesn't offer this.
Memory Flashbacks
Receive emails with your entries from 1, 3, or 5 years ago. It's magical to rediscover what you wrote—a feature Penzu doesn't provide.
Life in Weeks View
Visualize your entire life on one page with our unique calendar view. See patterns in your journaling and understand how you've spent your weeks.
Rich Analytics
Track your mood over time, see word count statistics, and discover your most common words. Turn your journal into insights about yourself.
Completely Free
No premium tier, no hidden costs. Every feature is available to everyone. Save hundreds of dollars over time.
Development Activity: OhDiary vs Penzu
OhDiary
Actively Maintained
Regular updates with new features, bug fixes, and improvements. Built with modern technology stack.
Penzu
Appears Abandoned
iOS app last updated March 2019. App Store reviews mention crashes, bugs, and lack of support.
Being Honest: When Penzu Might Be Better
We believe in honest comparisons. Here's when Penzu could be a better fit:
- Custom journal covers: If you love customizing your journal's appearance with different covers, backgrounds, and themes
- Multiple journals: If you want separate journals for different purposes (work, personal, travel)
- Traditional diary feel: If you prefer the skeuomorphic design that mimics a physical diary
Note: Given Penzu's lack of updates since 2019, we'd recommend testing carefully before committing to a paid subscription.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Penzu still being maintained?
Penzu's iOS app was last updated on March 5, 2019. The web version may still work, but the lack of mobile app updates for over 5 years—combined with user reviews mentioning bugs and crashes—suggests the platform may not be actively maintained.
Can I import my Penzu entries to OhDiary?
Yes! Export your entries from Penzu and import them into OhDiary. We make it easy to migrate your memories to a platform that's actively maintained and completely free.
How does OhDiary's email journaling work?
Every day at your chosen time, we send you an email with a prompt (often including what you wrote on this day in past years). Simply reply to that email with your thoughts, and it's automatically saved. You can also attach photos. It's the easiest way to journal because you don't need to open an app.
Is my data secure with OhDiary?
Absolutely. Your entries are encrypted and stored securely. We use passwordless authentication for enhanced security. With 15+ years of operation and daily backups, we take your data seriously. Unlike Penzu, where encryption is only available on paid plans, OhDiary provides security for everyone.
Why is OhDiary free?
OhDiary is a passion project by its founder, who has been journaling daily for 15+ years. We believe everyone deserves a great journaling experience regardless of budget. Optional supporter contributions help cover server costs, but the full experience is free for everyone.
Ready for a Modern Journaling Experience?
Switch from Penzu to OhDiary—it's free, actively maintained, and packed with features you'll love.
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