Five Minute Journal vs MoodHaven Journal
Five Minute Journal
intelligentchange.com
MoodHaven Journal
moodhaven.appSide by side
| Figure | Five Minute Journal | MoodHaven Journal |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $1.67/mo | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 5 | 1 |
| Spec score · Journaling Software | 8.4 (#9) | 8.4 (#10) |
| Spec score · Journaling apps | 8.1 (#22) | 8.9 (#5) |
| Export formats | PDF,HTML | .moodhaven encrypted backup,plaintext |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Platforms | The maker links downloads for iOS and Android; the App Store listing describes iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch support. | web,windows,macos,linux,ios,android |
| Prompt features | guided | guided |
Plans
Five Minute Journal
- Monthly Subscription$4.99 a month
- 1 month Journaling Premium$9.99 a month
- Annual Subscr (existing users)Price not published
- Annual Subscription$19.99 a year
- Annual Journaling Premium$39.99 a year
In their own words
Five Minute Journal
Five Minute Journal has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.
MoodHaven Journal
MoodHaven Journal is a free, open-source journaling app with guided prompts and end-to-end encryption. It runs on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, and the web; its browser PWA needs no installation or account. Native desktop apps are available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, and Wear OS supports voice captures and memos. Entries use AES-256-GCM encryption with PBKDF2-HMAC-SHA256 and 600,000 iterations. Keys are derived in memory and cleared when the app is locked, and passwords are not stored or transmitted. The app requires no account or email, and data is not uploaded or shared unless the user exports it. Devices can sync over a local network using encrypted transport without a cloud relay. Entries can be exported as encrypted .moodhaven backups or plaintext files. Wear OS voice memos are transcribed locally with Whisper.cpp. AI analyzes metadata such as mood scores and patterns; journal text stays on the device. The app includes 15 predefined activities and supports up to 50 custom activities.