Local Journal
Local Journal is an offline diary app for Android and iOS that keeps entries on the device.
What Local Journal is
Local Journal is an offline diary app for Android and iOS that keeps entries on the device. It requires no sign-up, login, or email account, and includes search plus a chronological timeline for browsing writing. Free prompts cover free writing, daily reflection, and gratitude. The free plan costs nothing and includes writing, timeline, search, prompts, text export, and light and dark modes. Premium adds voice entry with on-device English transcription, PIN or biometric app lock, PDF and JSON export, and importing journal backups; no premium price is listed. Users choose where to save or share backups, including their device or personal cloud storage such as iCloud or Google Drive. Local Journal says it does not collect personal data or send entries to its own servers, and has no analytics, ad networks, or trackers. The developer cannot recover entries after deletion or device loss, so backups remain the user’s responsibility.
Good
- Works offline on Android and iOS
- No sign-up, login, or email required
- Search and chronological timeline included
- On-device voice transcription for premium users
- Backups can use personal cloud storage
Watch out
- PDF and JSON export require premium
- Developer cannot recover lost entries
- Voice entry supports English transcription
Who it suits
Local Journal suits Android and iOS users wanting offline writing without an account. It also fits writers who want device-controlled backups and optional privacy features.
Verdict
Local Journal provides a straightforward offline diary with account-free use and a free text-export plan. Premium tools add voice, locking, extra export formats, and backup import, while users must manage their own recovery copies.
Plans and prices
From Local Journal's own pricing page, checked 2 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | Writing · timeline · search · prompts · text export · light and dark mode |
| Premium | $6.99, paid once | Voice entry · app lock · PDF and JSON export · backup import · one-time purchase |
The facts
Each one read from Local Journal's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Accounts
- The app requires no sign-up, login, or email account.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Analytics
- The app has no analytics, ad networks, or trackers, while the website uses Google Analytics for basic visit and page usage information.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Backups
- Users choose where to save or share backups, including their device or personal cloud storage such as iCloud or Google Drive.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Data recovery
- The developer says it cannot recover entries if the app is deleted or the device is lost, so users should save a backup themselves.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Export formats
- multiplechecked 20 Sep 2026
- Exports
- Text export is free, while PDF and JSON export are premium features.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The app says it does not collect personal data or transmit journal entries to servers it owns.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Product
- Local Journal is an offline diary app that stores entries on the device.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Prompts
- Free writing prompts include free write, daily reflection, and gratitude.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Search
- Users can search entries and browse them in a chronological timeline.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Support
- The support page invites users to contact [email protected] for help.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Third-party services
- The privacy policy says Local Journal does not integrate with third-party services that process user data.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Voice entry
- Premium voice entry uses on-device English transcription, and the audio is not sent to servers.checked 2 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- App lock
- Premium app lock uses the device's existing PIN or biometrics.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Platforms
- The official site links to iOS and Android app downloads.checked 2 Oct 2026
Money
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2026
The company
- Headquarters
- Dublin, California, United Stateschecked 28 Sep 2026
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