Journaling Apps for Mental Health and Anxiety
By the MindScout team · Updated September 2026 · 11 apps · 3 min read
Writing things down is one of the simplest ways to notice how you feel. The apps here combine journaling with mood tracking, check-ins or exercises aimed at stress and anxiety.
They are listed on MindScout and ranked by community likes. They support your wellbeing but are not a replacement for professional care.
Our picks at a glance
- 1.Finch — best for self-care (Free, in-app purchases from $1.99)
- 2.Daylio — best for journaling (Free, in-app purchases from $0.99, contains ads)
- 3.Quabble — best for mental health (Free, in-app purchases from $0.99)
- 4.Reflectly — best for journaling (Free, in-app purchases from $4.99)
- 5.Stoic — best for journaling (Free, in-app purchases from $6.99)
- 6.Discover Yourself: Serene — best for self-care (Free, in-app purchases from $4.99)
- 7.Earkick — best for AI companion (Free, in-app purchases from $0.99)
- 8.Liven — best for AI companion (Free, in-app purchases from $7.99)
- 9.Me+ Lifestyle Routine — best for habit tracker (Free, in-app purchases from $7.99)
- 10.Wysa — best for AI companion (Free, in-app purchases from $0.99)
- 11.Reflection — best for ADHD (Free, in-app purchases from $5.99)
| App | Best for | App Store | Google Play | Pricing | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Finch | Self-care | 4.9★ (755K) | 4.9★ (624K) | Free, in-app purchases from $1.99 | iOS, Android |
| 2Daylio | Journaling | 4.8★ (61.7K) | 4.7★ (463K) | Free, in-app purchases from $0.99, contains ads | iOS, Android |
| 3Quabble | Mental health | 4.8★ (4.2K) | 4.6★ (12.9K) | Free, in-app purchases from $0.99 | iOS, Android |
| 4Reflectly | Journaling | 4.6★ (81.7K) | 4.2★ (40.7K) | Free, in-app purchases from $4.99 | iOS, Android |
| 5Stoic | Journaling | 4.8★ (35.7K) | 4.5★ (3.4K) | Free, in-app purchases from $6.99 | iOS, Android |
| 6Discover Yourself: Serene | Self-care | 4.6★ (155) | 4.7★ (56.9K) | Free, in-app purchases from $4.99 | iOS, Android |
| 7Earkick | AI companion | 4.7★ (3.3K) | — | Free, in-app purchases from $0.99 | iOS |
| 8Liven | AI companion | 4.4★ (51.9K) | 3.8★ (55.9K) | Free, in-app purchases from $7.99 | iOS, Android |
| 9Me+ Lifestyle Routine | Habit tracker | 4.8★ (248K) | 4.7★ (862K) | Free, in-app purchases from $7.99 | iOS, Android |
| 10Wysa | AI companion | 4.8★ (24.4K) | 4.5★ (152K) | Free, in-app purchases from $0.99 | iOS, Android |
| 11Reflection | ADHD | 4.7★ (1.1K) | 4.3★ (2.4K) | Free, in-app purchases from $5.99 | iOS, Android |
How we evaluated these apps
- Every app is listed on MindScout and was reviewed by our team before it was published.
- Apps are ordered by likes from the MindScout community.
- Ratings and the number of ratings come from the public App Store and Google Play listings.
- Pricing is taken from those listings: the price, in-app purchases and whether the app shows ads.
- Store data is refreshed regularly; check the store for the latest price in your country.
1. Finch: Best for self-care
A cute virtual pet bird that helps you build self‑care habits by completing daily wellness tasks.
- Platforms
- iOS, Android
- Pricing
- Free, in-app purchases from $1.99
- MindScout likes
- 6
Finch is a gamified self‑care app where you raise a virtual bird by completing quick mental health and wellness exercises—like mood journaling, breathing, quizzes and habit tracking. As your bird grows, you earn rewards (‘rainbow stones’) to customize it and its home. Features include daily check-ins, insights, social support via friends, seasonal events, and a premium Finch Plus option for extra customization and deeper tracking. Created to promote positive habits, mental resilience, and self‑love by making self‑care fun and engaging.
Tags: self-care, mental health, habit tracker, virtual pet, mindfulness, gamification
2. Daylio: Best for journaling
Micro‑journal for moods & activities in two taps
- Platforms
- iOS, Android
- Pricing
- Free, in-app purchases from $0.99, contains ads
- MindScout likes
- 5
Daylio is a simple micro‑diary that lets you record moods and activities with just two taps. It visualizes patterns through charts and calendars, helps set goals, track habits, and personalize prompts—ideal for daily mood awareness.
Tags: journaling, mood tracker, self-care
3. Quabble: Best for mental health
An all‑in‑one mental wellness app with mind workouts, journaling, meditation and a cute virtual companion.
- Platforms
- iOS, Android
- Pricing
- Free, in-app purchases from $0.99
- MindScout likes
- 2
Quabble by museLIVE Inc. offers holistic daily mental wellness tools—from mood tracking, meditation, journaling, sleep routines to anxiety and stress management. It guides you through structured mind workouts like Gratitude Jar, Bamboo Forest and Proud Dandelion, and features a virtual duck companion and community support. Includes a 15‑day First Bloom habit program, wellness radar, and home-screen widgets to keep routines top‑of‑mind.
Tags: mental health, self-care, journaling, meditation, virtual companion, habit tracker
4. Reflectly: Best for journaling
AI-powered personal journal & mood tracker
- Platforms
- iOS, Android
- Pricing
- Free, in-app purchases from $4.99
- MindScout likes
- 2
Reflectly is a personal AI journal that helps manage negative thoughts, increase positivity, and educate you on well‑being science. It offers daily insights, mood tracking, prompts, and a friendly conversational interface.
Tags: journaling, mood tracker, AI companion, self-care
5. Stoic: Best for journaling
Daily journal & mental health companion
- Platforms
- iOS, Android
- Pricing
- Free, in-app purchases from $6.99
- MindScout likes
- 2
Stoic is a mental health and journaling app with morning and evening routines, mood tracking, prompts, and insights to boost happiness, productivity, and resilience. It’s used by over 3 million users.
Tags: journaling, mood tracker, productivity, mental health, self-care
6. Discover Yourself: Serene: Best for self-care
Mental wellness app with self‑tests, CBT courses & AI journaling
- Platforms
- iOS, Android
- Pricing
- Free, in-app purchases from $4.99
- MindScout likes
- 1
Serene offers a suite of self‑tests (ADHD, trauma, personality, mood disorders), evidence‑based CBT courses tailored to challenges, AI‑powered journaling with mood tracking, daily insights, managing stress/burnout, and exploring themes like narcissism and relationships.
Tags: self-care, mental health, self‑discovery, journaling
7. Earkick: Best for AI companion
Free AI therapist chatbot with mood & anxiety tracking
- Platforms
- iOS
- Pricing
- Free, in-app purchases from $0.99
- MindScout likes
- 1
Earkick is a free AI mental health coach featuring a chatbot “Panda”, real‑time mood, anxiety and habit tracking via voice/video, biomarker inputs (location, weather), guided self‑care sessions, HealthKit integration and deep privacy—no registration or ads.
Tags: AI companion, mental health, mood tracker, anxiety, self-care, apple
8. Liven: Best for AI companion
Self‑discovery & habit‑building companion with AI support
- Platforms
- iOS, Android
- Pricing
- Free, in-app purchases from $7.99
- MindScout likes
- 1
Liven helps you tune your inner dialogue through mood tracking, AI companion “Livie”, bite‑sized self‑tests, courses and routine‑forming tools rooted in behavioral science. It supports ADHD, procrastination, stress, burnout and emotional resilience.
Tags: AI companion, mental health, habit tracker, focus
9. Me+ Lifestyle Routine: Best for habit tracker
Daily routine planner & habit tracker with mood insights
- Platforms
- iOS, Android
- Pricing
- Free, in-app purchases from $7.99
- MindScout likes
- 1
Me+ helps you build healthy routines by planning morning, exercise, diet, sleep, mood and self-care habits. It offers customizable schedules, smart reminders, progress and mood tracking, science-backed self-care tips, and visually pleasing planner layouts. A subscription unlocks VIP features.
Tags: habit tracker, routine, self-care, mental health, mood tracker
10. Wysa: Best for AI companion
AI companion for mental health & resilience
- Platforms
- iOS, Android
- Pricing
- Free, in-app purchases from $0.99
- MindScout likes
- 1
Wysa is an AI-driven mental health app featuring an empathetic chatbot (“Pocket Penguin Coach”) for 24/7 support through CBT, DBT, journaling, breathing exercises, guided mindfulness, mood tracking, and optional human coaching.
Tags: AI companion, mental health, mindfulness, self-care, free
11. Reflection: Best for ADHD
AI-Powered Journal and Coach
- Platforms
- iOS, Android
- Pricing
- Free, in-app purchases from $5.99
- MindScout likes
- 0
Transform your self-reflection with Reflection, the intelligent journaling app featuring AI coaching, voice journaling, and mindfulness tools. Available on iOS, Android, Mac, and web with cross-platform sync. Includes 100+ expert prompts, mood tracking, personal growth insights, and advanced privacy. Perfect for self-improvement, mental wellness, and goal setting.
Tags: ADHD, AI companion, journaling, mental health, mindfulness
Best free options
- Finch: Free, in-app purchases from $1.99
- Daylio: Free, in-app purchases from $0.99, contains ads
- Quabble: Free, in-app purchases from $0.99
- Reflectly: Free, in-app purchases from $4.99
- Stoic: Free, in-app purchases from $6.99
- Discover Yourself: Serene: Free, in-app purchases from $4.99
- Earkick: Free, in-app purchases from $0.99
- Liven: Free, in-app purchases from $7.99
- Me+ Lifestyle Routine: Free, in-app purchases from $7.99
- Wysa: Free, in-app purchases from $0.99
- Reflection: Free, in-app purchases from $5.99
How to choose
- Look for mood tracking or check-ins if you want to see patterns over time.
- If you are working with a therapist, an app with export or sharing makes it easy to bring entries to sessions.
- Prefer apps that keep your entries private and let you lock the app.
- Treat the app as support, not treatment; reach out to a professional if things feel heavy.
Frequently asked questions
Can a journaling app help with anxiety?
Many people find that writing down worries and tracking their mood helps them spot triggers and patterns. If anxiety affects your daily life, talk to a professional as well.
What is mood tracking?
Logging how you feel, often with a quick rating or emoji, so you can see trends over weeks and months alongside your journal entries.
Are these apps a substitute for therapy?
No. They can complement therapy, and some are designed for it, but they do not replace a qualified professional.
Which of these apps are free?
11 of the 11 apps here can be used for free: Finch (free, in-app purchases from $1.99); Daylio (free, in-app purchases from $0.99, contains ads); Quabble (free, in-app purchases from $0.99); Reflectly (free, in-app purchases from $4.99); Stoic (free, in-app purchases from $6.99); Discover Yourself: Serene (free, in-app purchases from $4.99); Earkick (free, in-app purchases from $0.99); Liven (free, in-app purchases from $7.99); Me+ Lifestyle Routine (free, in-app purchases from $7.99); Wysa (free, in-app purchases from $0.99); Reflection (free, in-app purchases from $5.99). Store pricing can differ by country.