Honest comparison · Updated 2026-09-18
PastTense vs Reflectly - Journal & AI Diary
Reflectly is one of the most downloaded journaling apps on iOS, with an AI-assisted, mood-tracking approach and over 80,000 reviews. PastTense is a much smaller, offline-only app built around one specific technique — "scripting" (writing as if a goal has already happened) — rather than general mood journaling.
Dimension-by-dimension
| Dimension | PastTense | Reflectly - Journal & AI Diary | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Journaling approach | Distraction-free editor purpose-built for the scripting technique, with starter prompts across 8 life categories. | AI-guided reflective journaling with mood tracking and personalized insights. | |
| AI features | None — plain offline writing, no AI involved. | AI-generated prompts, summaries, and mood insights are central to the product. | |
| Account / sync | No account, no sync — open the app and write. | Requires an account for the full AI experience; cloud-based. | |
| Pricing | One-time or free, no subscription pressure noted in the app's own copy. | Freemium with a recurring subscription for full AI features — a well-known pattern in this category. | |
| Search & organization | Search and tag your entire library, fully offline. | Entries are organized by the app's own mood/AI structure. | |
| Maturity, polish, and review volume | New, small library of reviews. | Massive install base, 80,000+ reviews, years of iteration. |
PastTense advantage · Reflectly - Journal & AI Diary advantage · roughly equal
Where PastTense wins
- Built for one technique, done well. Scripting isn't a generic "write about your day" prompt — it's a specific, structured method PastTense is built around.
- No account, no cloud, no AI reading your entries. Everything stays on-device.
Where Reflectly - Journal & AI Diary wins
- Scale and polish. 80,000+ reviews and continual investment make Reflectly a proven, well-supported daily habit for a huge number of people.
- AI-assisted insights are genuinely useful if you want the app to actively help interpret your entries, not just store them.
Pick PastTense if…
You specifically want to practice scripting — structured, goal-focused writing — with zero account and zero cloud.
See PastTensePick Reflectly - Journal & AI Diary if…
You want a broader, AI-assisted journaling habit with mood tracking, and don't mind an account and a subscription.
Visit Reflectly - Journal & AI Diary siteReflectly is the mature, mainstream choice for journaling broadly. PastTense is the tool if scripting specifically is what you're after.
Frequently asked questions
What's the main difference between PastTense and Reflectly - Journal & AI Diary?+
Reflectly is one of the most downloaded journaling apps on iOS, with an AI-assisted, mood-tracking approach and over 80,000 reviews. PastTense is a much smaller, offline-only app built around one specific technique — "scripting" (writing as if a goal has already happened) — rather than general mood journaling.
Should I choose PastTense or Reflectly - Journal & AI Diary?+
Pick PastTense if: You specifically want to practice scripting — structured, goal-focused writing — with zero account and zero cloud. Pick Reflectly - Journal & AI Diary if: You want a broader, AI-assisted journaling habit with mood tracking, and don't mind an account and a subscription.
What can PastTense do that Reflectly - Journal & AI Diary can't?+
Built for one technique, done well. Scripting isn't a generic "write about your day" prompt — it's a specific, structured method PastTense is built around. No account, no cloud, no AI reading your entries. Everything stays on-device.
Where does Reflectly - Journal & AI Diary win over PastTense?+
Scale and polish. 80,000+ reviews and continual investment make Reflectly a proven, well-supported daily habit for a huge number of people. AI-assisted insights are genuinely useful if you want the app to actively help interpret your entries, not just store them.
How much does PastTense cost compared to Reflectly - Journal & AI Diary?+
PastTense: One-time or free, no subscription pressure noted in the app's own copy. Reflectly - Journal & AI Diary: Freemium with a recurring subscription for full AI features — a well-known pattern in this category.