Todays vs Apple’s Journal App
When Apple released their Journal app last December, they brought digital journaling to millions of iPhone users. It’s a solid app that helps people capture moments from their lives through photos, locations, and activities. But after using it for a while, we felt there was still something missing – something deeper than moment capture.
That’s partially why we built Todays.
The Philosophy of Now
Life isn’t lived in highlight reels or camera rolls. It’s lived in the succession of present moments, each unique and unrepeatable. As Richard Rohr beautifully puts it, “The present moment has no competition; it is not judged in comparison to any other. It has never happened before and will not happen again.”
While Apple Journal (and one of our other apps, Yesterdays) excels at preserving memories, Todays is built around a different question: “Did I spend this day the way I want to spend my days?”
Beyond Capturing Moments
Apple Journal asks, “What happened today?” It suggests moments from your photos, locations, and activities. It’s like a digital scrapbook, preserving memories for future reflection.
Todays asks a different question: “How am I actually living?” It helps you track the patterns that make up your life – your sleep, your focus, your habits, your mood. Because life isn’t just about the mountaintops; it’s about the walking in between.
Intentional Design
The core difference lies in intention. Apple Journal is reactive – it sees what you did and helps you remember it. Todays is proactive – it helps you consciously shape your days through metrics that matter to you.
Think of it this way: Apple Journal is like taking photos of your garden, while Todays is like keeping a gardener’s journal. Both are valuable, but they serve different purposes.
Understanding Patterns
What makes Todays unique is its structured approach to reflection. You can track specific metrics that matter to you:
- Your energy levels throughout the week
- The quality of your sleep
- Your daily focus score
- Moments of joy or stress
- Health data from Apple Health
But it’s not just about collecting numbers. It’s about understanding patterns. It’s about noticing that your focus improves after good sleep, or your mood lifts with regular exercise. It’s about making your “green” days more frequent than your “red” days.
The AI Companion
While Apple Journal uses AI to suggest moments and writing prompts, Todays uses AI as a reflection partner. It can help you spot patterns you might miss, clean up your entries, and engage in meaningful conversations about your data. It’s like having a thoughtful friend who remembers everything and notices the subtle patterns in your life.
Privacy and Your Data
Both apps take privacy seriously, both relying on Apple’s iCloud platform. Todays keeps your health data local and gives you control over what’s shared with its AI features. Your data is yours, exportable in multiple formats, and always under your control.
Cross-Platform Reflection
Unlike Apple Journal’s iOS-only approach, Todays works seamlessly across iOS and Mac. Your reflections, metrics, and insights sync across all your devices, making it easier to maintain your reflection practice wherever you are.
Why Choose Todays?
If you’re happy with Apple Journal’s approach to capturing moments, that’s great. It’s a well-designed app that serves its purpose beautifully.
But if you’re looking for something deeper – if you want to not just record your days but understand and improve them – then Todays might be what you’re looking for.
Because life isn’t just about capturing moments. It’s about making each “today” better than the last. It’s about asking yourself, “Did I spend this day the way I want to spend my days?”
And if the answer is “no” too many times, Todays helps you spot those patterns and make the shifts you need.
That’s what Todays is for – not just recording your life, but helping you live it better, one day at a time.
Ready to make Today better? Grab Todays on the App Store.