# Penzu

> Secure Diary & Private Journal

Canonical page: [https://chrome-stats.com/d/id452674732](https://chrome-stats.com/d/id452674732)

## Overview

- **ID:** `id452674732`
- **Platform:** Apple
- **Type:** Apple app
- **Status:** Available
- **Publisher:** Penzu Inc.
- **Category:** Productivity
- **Rating:** 4.20 / 5 (2,528 ratings)
- **Version:** 3.20
- **Last updated:** 2026-05-05
- **First published:** 2011-09-14
- **Size:** 62 MB
- **Data as of:** 2026-09-04
- **Store listing:** [Apple App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/penzu/id452674732)
- **Website:** [https://penzu.com](https://penzu.com/)
- **Privacy policy:** [https://penzu.com/privacy](https://penzu.com/privacy)

## Description

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

## Rankings

- #37,996 — Overall

## Review summary

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

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- [Secret Diary - Private Journal](https://chrome-stats.com/d/id6739699394) — 4.40 / 5
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- [Diary Journal - With Lock](https://chrome-stats.com/d/id1572225395) — 4.70 / 5
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- [Private Diary - Daily Journal](https://chrome-stats.com/d/id6772882946)
- [Journal for iPad](https://chrome-stats.com/d/id6743798696)
- [My Diary - Journal with Lock](https://chrome-stats.com/d/id1579321589) — 4.70 / 5
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- [Private Diary – Daily Journal](https://chrome-stats.com/d/id6748128912) — 3.30 / 5
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Source: [Chrome-Stats](https://chrome-stats.com/d/id452674732)