This post is all about the best gratitude journals and apps for your daily gratitude practice.

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Looking to elevate your gratitude practice? Researching about the best gratitude journals? Or maybe you are more of a digital gal?

Whichever it is get ready to learn how to upgrade your daily gratitude practice. In this ultimate guide, you will discover the 10 best grateful journals and 6 great apps you need for your next practice.

Let´s begin!

Benefits of practicing gratitude

Why is it important to practice gratitude? Why is it that so many experts talk about the importance of this practice and its many benefits?

Explained in simple terms practicing gratitude is really a reflection exercise where we choose to focus on the good things in life.

However, gratitude is so much more than that.

When you focus on the good things in life, you are not only practicing positivity but also raising your vibrations and maximizing the power of the law of attraction, which is a great benefit if you are trying to manifest something into your life.

Aside from these practicing gratitude has the following benefits as well, to name a few:

• Boost our immune system. Stress and anxiety are two of the factors that lower your immune system the most. However practicing gratitude helps create positive feelings that improve our well-being when done.

• Makes us happier. Yes, you read that right, practicing gratitude makes us happier. But how is that? The truth is that since we were kids we have been sold this dreamy and almost impossible idea of happiness. 

So we go out into the world hoping the next milestones, job promotion, car, house, or phone will bring that sense of happiness. 

What we don’t realize is that we have and are everything we need to feel happy and fulfilled. You just need to change your perspective and the story you tell yourself to actually see this.

And practicing gratitude is one of the easiest and most powerful ways you can do this.

I don’t have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness- It’s right in front of me if I’m paying attention and practicing gratitude

Brené Brown

• Increases our self esteem. Gratitude can help you feel better about your situation and your life, which leads to feeling better about yourself. It can also help you acknowledge your accomplishments which done in the long term is great to boost your self esteem.

How to start your gratitude practice

Okey, okey practicing gratitude has many incredible benefits, but how do I start my gratitude practice?

Well, the beautiful thing about practicing gratitude is that there is no exact formula or practice. You are the one to set the rules.

In this article, you will find the best gratitude journals and apps for your daily gratitude practice. 

And right here you will also find 5 additional ways to practice gratitude if you are looking for journaling alternatives.

But whatever method you choose here are some basic tips you should have into account:

• Find an accessible medium for you. Whether that’s on paper or with the use of technology make sure to use a medium that you feel comfortable with and that suits your lifestyle.

• Choose a specific time of the day and stick to it. Either in the morning with a cup of coffee or at night before you go to sleep. The truth is we are more likely to stick to a new habit when we practice it around the same hour every time.

• Drop any expectations of what practicing gratitude should be like. Better than pretending to be grateful or scrap for reasons and things to be happy about, honestly listen to what comes to mind and give yourself permission to write it down without judgment, shame, or guilt.

The best grateful journals you need to try

Poketo. Best grateful journal for design lovers- 28$

Aside from its colorful cover, the thought-provoking journal prompts in this gratitude journal make it perfect for creative and design-lover people.

This year-long journal includes daily straightforward gratitude lists as well as thoughtful prompts and weekly gratitude reflections.

Pros

• Flexible layout
• Open dated
• Great mix of gratitude prompts, lists, and weekly reports
• Inspiring quotes to guide your practice
• High-quality, colorful cover, and design

Cons

• No blank pages for free writing
• Basic section of daily gratitude

Promptly Gratitude Journal- 34$

This journal is the perfect blend between weekly-themed and daily journal prompts.

Aside from this, it includes a whole bunch of extra lined pages for free writing. Not to forget that its beautiful design makes it perfect to leave on any table as decor or to have at hand whenever inspiration strikes.

Pros

• Contains daily and weekly journal prompts
• Include pages for free writing
• Beautiful linen cover

Cons

• Linen cover not very durable

The five minute journal. Intelligent Change. Perfect for busy people- 29$

Don’t have the time for a gratitude practice? How about a 5 minute gratitude journal then? 

This best-selling journal is perfect for gratitude newbies as well as experienced journalists because of its simple easy-to-follow layout and its eye-opening journal prompts.

Each undated daily practice includes journal prompts like “What am I grateful for today?” “What did I learn today?” or “What would make today great?”- along with inspirational quotes to inspire you along your gratitude practice.

Pros

• Open dated pages
• Various beautiful design options to choose from
• Plastic-free
• Thought-provoking gratitude prompts
• Great for busy schedules

Cons

• Cover gets dirty easily depending on the design

A life of gratitude, by Lori Roberts- 15$

If you prefer to have a more guided gratitude practice and have the time for longer more in-depth practices, then this journal is for you.

A life of gratitude is a mix of daily straightforward gratitude journal prompts as well as eye-opening and introspective questions like “How does the color gray make you feel?” or “What books have shaped you the most?”.

The idea behind this journal is to uncover what you may not have realized is most important to you in life.

Pros

• Gives opportunity for more in-depth and reflecting answers
• Great for guided gratitude practices
• Creative and unique prompts

Cons

• Prompts can get repetitive according to some reviews

Calendar of good. Free Period- 25$

If you are awful at remembering to do your gratitude practice, I have just the solutions for you. And it´s as simple as changing your wall calendar for a gratitude calendar.

The format of this “journal” also makes it great for beginners and anyone who needs a daily reminder to find the good in each day.

This calendar includes a line a day for each month to record your gratitude practice, which also allows you to have a big-picture view of your month.

Aside from this it also includes yearly reflection pages, to sum up your highlights at the end of the year.

Pros

• Unique and original format
• Great for beginners
• Yearly reflection pages included
• Simple and easy-to-follow practice
• Great for busy schedules

Cons

• Doesn’t include thoughtful journal prompts
• Not a lot of writing space

The happiness project, one sentence gratitude journal, by Gretchen Rubin- 15$

Gretchen Rubin, happiness expert, created this journal as a way to reflect on positive and happy moments each day for 5 years.

As Rubin says “because you are limited to writing one sentence a day, keeping up the practice feels very manageable, even if you have a busy schedule”.

Because the journal is meant for 5 years, when ended it creates a time capsule of meaningful entries to flip through over time.

Pros

• Simple and quick practice as you only have to write one sentence a day
• Inspirational quotes on every page
• Covers 5 years
• Open practice and answers

Cons

• Doesn’t include pages for free writing
• Doesn’t include in-depth journal prompts
• The journal is 5 years long

The 90 Day Gratitude Journal, S.J. Scott- 10$

This gratitude journal will help you find new and unique ways to be grateful with its creative layout.

Because while two of the three daily journal prompts are the same each of the 90 days, the third one is always different. These surprise journal prompts can include questions like “What is one thing you like about your city?” or “What´s one thing you have learned this week?”.

Pros

• Surprise journal prompts each day
• Short-term duration (90 days)

Cons

• Might be too simple for some
• Not a lot of writing space

The 5 minute gratitude journal, Sophia Godkin Ph.D.- 10$

Finding a balance between the one-sentence journal and the more involved gratitude workbook comes the 5-minute gratitude journal.

What makes this journal great is its varied daily journal prompts. Each day is started with 4 thought-provoking prompts. But each day´s questions are slightly different from the next. However they all cover similar topics, so by the time you finish the journal, a gratitude story is written out.

Ex. “A quality of one of my closest friends that I love” or “Something that worked out much better than I´d hoped”

Pros

• 4 slightly different prompts for each entry
• High quality materials
• Easy to fill out
• Creative journal prompts

Cons

• Not a lot of space to write
• Prompts can get repetitive

Kristi Nelson, The Gratitude Explorer Journal- 15$

The beautiful thing about this journal is that, as its name suggests, it takes you on a journey from start to finish.

The journal prompts included get more introspective as you move through the journal, allowing you to dive deeper into yourself.

This book also includes guided meditations, gratitude exercises, inspirational quotes, postcards, affirmation stickers, bookmarks, and other paper goodies.

All these extras make it a perfect option if you are looking to invest in your spiritual journey aside from practicing gratitude.

Pros

• Ideal for a gift
• A guide and journal all in one
• Guided meditation and exercises
• Includes paper goodies

Cons

• No blank pages for free writing

Tiny buddha´s gratitude journal, Lori Deschene-12$ (originally 20$)

If you consider yourself the artsy type, then this journal is definitely for you as it includes the perfect mix of journal prompts and coloring pages.

Design to inspire your creativity, these coloring pages include everyday things worth being grateful for. These are also accompanied by written reflections complementing the gratitude prompts you will find in the journal.

Pros

• Perfect for creative people
• Unique gratitude practice
• Mix of written reflection and journaling prompts

Cons

• Poor quality paper according to some reviews
• Prompts might be too simple

Best gratitude apps to upgrade your gratitude practice

Gratitude- Free (+ premium version)

Created by Prietesh Sanke, this app is aimed at people who struggle with anxiety and/or depression.

This free app will help you improve your mental health, change your perception of life and teach you how to love and care for yourself.

You can choose to free write your gratitude entry or choose from their library of journal prompts which are divided into categories like self, healing, self love, health, relationships, places, and much more.

Inside you will also find challenges, like the 21-day happiness challenge or the 15-day new year challenge.

Paid features at 1,33$/month billed annually or 2,72$/month. *The app is perfectly functional and very complete using the free version.

Pros

• Daily dose of inspiring affirmations and quotes
• Includes letter of gratitude, photo attachments, and daily reminders
• Consistency challenges to help you build the habit of practicing gratitude
• Vision board feature
• Simple, easy-to-use layout
• No account needed
• Tons of different gratitude prompts to choose from
• Pasword protect the app

Cons

• Most affirmation categories are for premium users
• Basic daily entries

Think up- Free (+premium version)

This app will help you stay motivated, and practice mindfulness and gratitude. With its easy-to-use layout you will be able to develop a positive mindset, build healthy habits and achieve your goals.

The way this app works is you choose a set of affirmations, record them using your voice and add your favorite music.

You can then listen to these recordings for your gratitude (or mindfulness) practice.

You can opt for the free version or a premium one (at 8,49$/month)  to add more features to your self development journey.

*Only available for iOS users 

Pros

•  Set morning and night reminders
• Streak and habit-building challenge
• Big library of affirmations organized into different categories

Cons

• Gratitude practice only based on affirmations
• No space for free writing
• No journaling prompts

Presently. Free Gratitude App

This gorgeous app will help you practice gratitude daily with its flexible options.

Every day you can choose between free writing your gratitude entry, or choosing one of the journals prompts to guide you.

*Only available for Android users

Pros

• Password protect the app
• 27 themes to choose from
• Gorgeous design and layout
• Write your entry the day after
• Space for free writing
• Personalize time reminders
• Record your previous gratitude practices

Cons

• Basic gratitude practice app

The 5 Minute journal. Free and paid version

Remember The Five Minute Journal we talked about before? Well, they have the app version, and it´s just as good as the physical journal.

Each day start your gratitude practice with 3 things you are grateful for, what will you do to make today great, and your daily affirmations.

This app also features a guide section where you can find articles on mindfulness, guided meditations, how to build your self confidence, and much more.

With the premium version (at 3,42$7month- when paid annually, or 9,99$/ month) you can also add images and videos to your entries, customize journal questions and other features.

Pros

• Consistency challenges
• Daily inspirational quotes
• Set morning and evening reminders
• Inspirational notifications throughout the day (up to 12)
• Possibility to password protect
• Easy-to-use layout
• Guides to help you on your self improvement journey
• Morning and evening practice

Cons

• Mood tracking only with premium feature
• Free writing notes section only with premium feature

3 Good Things. Free grateful app (+ paid version)

If you are looking for a fuss-free, simple journaling app, then 3 good things is for you!

With its beautiful design, this app will ask you every night to write 3 good things that happened today.

This app comes with a premium feature where you can delay entry times (you can write until yesterday’s gratitude list), list up 5 things you are grateful for, and color personalize the app between other things.

*The app is perfectly functional and very complete using the free version.

The unique thing about this app is that when writing your gratitude list you have 2 questions. One where you write the thing you are grateful for and the second to reflect on how that made you feel.

Pros

• Daily inspiring quotes
• Set a personalized nighttime reminder
• Saves your previous entries
• Set up to 3 daily reminders
• Space to write big entries
• No account needed

Cons

• Personalization options only with the premium plan (at 11,99$/year)
• No space for free writing
• No gratitude journal prompts
• Can’t lock the app with the free version

365 Gratitude (free and paid version)

And to close the list of the best gratitude apps we have 365 gratitude.

Designed to help you focus on the good things in life with its daily journal prompts and built-in community to inspire and support others.

This app also includes a mood tracker, guided meditations, and a virtual mindfulness coach, called Joy.

Each day, Joy will send you personalized guided journal prompts to help you focus on positivity, optimism, and resilience.

Aside front this with the paid version (at 9.99$/month)  you will also find exercises and journals to help you manage your stress and anxiety, find your purpose, live well, improve your relationships, and practice self compassion. 

Pros

• Personalized plan by answering a couple of initial questions
• Mood tracker
• Streak challenges
• Gratitude jar feature (with gratitude prompts)
• Guided meditations
• Space for long entries
• Personalize time reminders
• Password secure the app

Cons

• Most tools are for premium users
• Prompts start repeating over time

And that concludes the list of the best gratitude journals and apps for your daily gratitude practice.

If you made it to the end of the article, thank you so much for investing your time in it. I hope the information in this post will help you choose the best gratitude tool for you.

To recap here is the post at a glance:

Best gratitude journals:

• Best overall: Promptly Gratitude Journal– 34$
• Best for busy people: The Five Minute Journal– 29$
• Best for forgetful people: Calendar of good. A gratitude journal– 25$
• Best for creative people: Tinny Buddha´s gratitude journal– 12$
• Best variety of gratitude journal prompts: The five minute gratitude journal– 10$
• Best for a guided gratitude practice: A life of gratitude- 15$
• Best for long term: The Happiness Project. One sentence a day journal– 15$
• Best for short term: The 90 days gratitude journal– 10$
• Best for design lovers: Poketo Gratitude Journal– 28$
• Best gratitude workbook: The gratitude explorer workbook-15$

Best gratitude apps at a glance:

• Best overall: The five minute journal (free and paid version)
• Best for design and aesthetic lovers: Presently (free)
• For busy people: 3 Good things (free and paid version)
• Most complete app and features: Gratitude (free and paid version)
• Best paid option: 365 gratitude (free and paid versions)
• For affirmation lovers: Think up (free and paid versions)

Related articles: 5 Simple ways to practice gratitude daily

Now I´d love to hear about you! How do you prefer to practice gratitude, on paper or with an app? Personally, I´m a sucker for writing on paper!