Features & Capabilities

Penzu is a popular free diary and private journal focused on privacy and a simple writing experience. It syncs your journals to the web so you can access them from almost any device, while keeping your thoughts secure with encryption and optional password protection.

Key features include:

  • Unlimited journaling
  • Free cloud sync
  • Password and PIN locks
  • Encryption and offline writing
  • Photos, tags, search, and customizable covers
  • Web-based access for cross-device use

User Growth & Download Statistics

By:
Penzu Inc.
Rating:
4.20
(2,511)
3 new ratings
Version:
3.20 Last updated: 2026-05-05
Version code:
885286038
Creation date:
2011-09-14
Compatible devices:
Size:
61.53MB
URLs:
Website ,Privacy policy
Full description:
See detailed description
Source:
Apple Apps Store
Data ingested on:
2026-06-08
Compare stats and ranking:

Ranking

Contact the developer

Chrome-Stats does not own this Apple app. Please use these information below to contact the Apple app developer.
Developed by:
Penzu Inc.
Apple Apps Store
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/penzu/id452674732
Website:
https://penzu.com

User Reviews

Users praise Penzu for its simple, private journaling and cross-device use, with reminders and photo attachments. However many reviews note persistent issues with syncing, app crashes (especially voice-to-text), missing or misdated entries, login/upgrade hurdles, and concerns about daily email previews of private content.
Pros
  • Easy to use journaling interface with quick entry creation
  • Strong privacy and security (private journals with passcode)
  • Cross-device access (PC/desktop and iPhone) with syncing
  • Helpful reminders and memory emails (annual year-ago posts and monthly reflections)
  • Ability to add photos to entries
Cons
  • Intermittent syncing issues between devices (risk of data loss)
  • Crashes with voice-to-text, stability problems
  • Entries disappearing or showing up with the wrong dates/out of order
  • Login/access problems and paid upgrade barriers (including account access loss)
  • Privacy concerns about daily preview emails exposing private content
Recent reviews
I’ve used Penzu for about 7 years, first for a creative writing course and to continue writing my poetry. The app is easy to use and can be effective using the free version.
by ro*****, 2026-05-13

I love that this journaling app is visually clean and simple in its functionality. It makes me able to focus on getting my thoughts out right away rather than clicking through a bunch of ads or pop ups or other disruptions. You login and your journal is right there and you make one click to open a new entry (the entry opens with date auto populated) or one click to look back at past entries. Simple, clean, easy to use.
by JJ*****, 2026-05-09

I like the app because it makes it really easy to write and share. I also like that a year later it sends me an email with the prior year’s journal for that day. It really makes me reflect.
by Ra*****, 2026-05-09
View all user reviews ›

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