Explore the best apps for bullet journal to boost productivity and streamline tasks with options like NotePlan, Trello and more.
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I've spent countless hours trying out different digital journaling tools. However, finding that perfect software to suit your needs isn't always straightforward. With so many options available, how do you know which one is the best fit for you?
I've evaluated a series of bullet journaling software like NotePlan, Trello, Taskade, The Bullet Journal Companion 2, Dynalist, Elisi, Journey, Day One, Grid Diary, OneNote, and Evernote. My goal? Help you zero in on the platform that will not only meet, but exceed, your productivity goals. We'll do deep into the key features, pitting the pros against the cons so you can make an informed decision.
Before going further, let's understanding briefly what this innovative method entails.
The Bullet Journal method was developed by Ryder Carroll to develop “a system flexible enough to handle whatever I threw at it, and fast enough that it wouldn’t get in the way.” The goal was to use a single physical system to keep the past, present, and future organized. A Bullet Journal uses pen and paper: everything lives inside a notebook. To get started, you manually structure your notebook into different sections:
Digital bullet journaling, all without the need for a physical pen or paper, allows you to organize tasks, set reminders, collaborate with others, search content quickly, and back up data for safekeeping.
This more efficient and collaborative way of journaling is especially handy for those juggling multiple responsibilities. It's like having a personal assistant in your pocket, ready to handle your scheduling and reminders so you can focus on the tasks that matter most.
NotePlan skillfully migrates the core principles of bullet journaling into the digital realm, optimizing your workflow without losing the flexibility that makes bullet journaling attractive. If you’ve already used the physical system, you’ll find that transitioning to NotePlan natural.
NotePlan preserves the flexible structure of bullet journaling: no rigid rules, no intrusive guidelines. The only predefined area is the daily notes. Choose any day on the mini calendar, and you've got yourself a note ready to be filled. NotePlan’s sidebar hosts your Index, Future Log, and any desired Collections, all neatly organized in Folders, Notes, or Tags according to your preference.
Unlike a notebook, a digital system can grow with your needs. Everything you add is stored in plaintext files and folders in your system, freeing you from structural limitations. Go as many levels deep as you want to. Or just keep a flat structure: you decide.
The shorthand for rapid logging you love in your Bullet Journal, is available in NotePlan as well. It uses Markdown, a user-friendly syntax that converts symbols into specific entries:
Furthermore, Markdown syntax is flexible and can include elements such as images, headings, quotes, and code blocks aside from mere text.
NotePlan enhances task management. You can quickly shift tasks around, schedule repeating tasks, and use #tags or @mentions for tasks for easy reference. They've also streamlined how tasks are organised in a note by putting completed, canceled, or moved tasks under their respective headings. This declutters your to-do list, leaving you with the tasks that still need to be done. In a paper system, tasks may be scattered around on different pages.
While a physical Bullet Journal helps structure information, NotePlan goes a step further by making the connection between tasks, notes, and ideas a breeze. Using [[, you can create links to other notes, facilitating easy referencing and follow-ups. Interestingly, NotePlan features bi-directional linking, creating reciprocal links in the original and targeted notes. This feature can be used to craft your personalised PKM (Personal Knowledge Management) system, a Zettelkasten structure, or a second brain.
Searching and filtering notes in NotePlan is effortless. It boasts a swift search mechanism that scans all content. You could save custom searches regarding tasks, notes, or keywords. Need a list of all tasks marked #urgent or a summary of 'postmodernism' usage throughout your notes? NotePlan's custom search has got you covered.
NotePlan was built to give you the peace of mind that all of your notes are safe. It comes with an efficient revisions and backup system. It lets you revisit any former version of your notes while neatly archiving the change history. With notes synchronization in NotePlan, you can switch seamlessly between your desktop and mobile.
Trello is an adaptable project management tool that can be effectively utilized for bullet journaling, offering a digital and highly customizable platform for organizing tasks, notes, and projects.
Bullet journal enthusiasts can take advantage of Trello's board and card system, where each board can represent a journal, and cards within these boards can serve as entries. Users can categorize these cards under lists, which might represent daily, weekly, or monthly logs, as well as different themes such as tasks, events, or notes
One of the standout features for bullet journaling in Trello is the ability to add due dates, checklists, and labels to cards, which helps in tracking the completion of tasks and organizing them by priority or category. Attachments and links can be added directly to cards, making it easy to keep all related information in one place.
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Pricing:
Free plan. Paid Plan starting with $6/mo standard plan.
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Taskade is a versatile tool designed to simplify project management and note-taking, making it a suitable choice for bullet journaling. This platform offers a streamlined approach where users can create projects that function similarly to bullet journals. Within each project, tasks and notes can be organized into nested lists, which can be toggled to view as a checklist, mind map, or even a calendar. This flexibility allows bullet journal enthusiasts to structure their entries in a way that best suits their workflow.
With the plethora of bullet formats, basic formatting options, and emojis, personalizing your digital journal is fun and easy. Plus, included features like Due Date, Add To Calendar, attachments, templates, comments, tags, and search functionality are extremely handy for keeping your tasks and notes organized and accessible. Whether you're a person who likes detailed planning or prefers only key bullet points, you can structure your journal to fit your style.
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Pricing:
Free plan. Paid Plan starting with $10/mo pro plan.
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Cons of Taskade:
The Bullet Journal Companion 2.0 is an official app designed to complement the traditional paper-based bullet journaling method, created by Ryder Carroll, the founder of the Bullet Journal system. This app is tailored to enhance the analog experience rather than replace it, acting as a support tool for those who prefer to use a physical notebook.
Among the features of The Bullet Journal Companion 2.0, users will find a reflection tool that prompts them to periodically review their entries, ensuring they remain mindful and engaged with their tasks. The app also includes a library section where users can store photos of their bullet journal pages, allowing for easy digital backups and the ability to carry their logs without needing the physical journal at all times. Additionally, the app provides articles, tips, and instructional content directly from Ryder Carroll, which can be incredibly valuable for both new and seasoned practitioners of bullet journaling.
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Pricing:
$4.99 purchase from Apple Store
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Cons of The Bullet Journal Companion 2:
Dynalist is a powerful tool that allows users to organize their thoughts and tasks using a hierarchical list format, making it a versatile platform for bullet journaling. This app excels in structuring information in nested lists, which can expand and collapse, allowing users to manage detailed projects and daily entries efficiently. Users can create documents within Dynalist, each serving as a separate journal or as different components of a journal, such as daily logs, monthly calendars, and future logs.
Dynalist also supports tagging, which makes it easy to categorize and search for specific entries. Each item in a list can have notes added to it, which is particularly useful for adding details without cluttering the main view. The platform includes date tagging with a built-in calendar, reminders, and recurring dates, which can be particularly useful for tracking tasks and appointments within a bullet journal framework.
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Pricing:
Free plan. Paid plan starting with $9.99/mo for pro plan.
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Elisi is a digital planner app that mirrors the flexibility and simplicity of traditional bullet journaling, making it an appealing choice for those looking to maintain an organized life digitally. The app is designed to help users track their weekly tasks, habits, and personal goals seamlessly across all devices. Elisi allows users to quickly set up and manage different aspects of their lives such as tasks, notes, projects, and appointments, all from one interface.
A notable feature of Elisi is its intuitive design, which simplifies the process of planning and tracking daily activities. The app includes a habit tracker that encourages users to develop and maintain good habits by providing visual feedback on their progress. Additionally, Elisi offers a notes section where users can jot down ideas and reflections, integrating the practice of journaling into daily life. The app’s ability to sync across multiple devices ensures that users have access to their bullet journal anytime and anywhere, enhancing productivity and continuity in planning.
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Pricing:
Download for free
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Offering both web and mobile applications, Journey combines simplicity with versatility. This app has a primary focus on journaling and reflection, fostering a daily habit of mindfulness and introspection. But don't let its simplicity fool you. From the ability to sort entries through tags to effortless syncing across devices, Journey incorporates everything you'd desire in a bullet journaling tool while building in plenty of useful bells and whistles.
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Pricing:
$4.17/mo billed annually, cancel anytime.
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Cons of Journey:
Day One is more than just a bullet journaling app; it's a multimedia journaling platform that integrates photo, video, and audio recordings, alongside traditional text entries. The platform is highly intuitive, making it easy for you to note down goals, tasks, or reflections with only a couple of clicks. Its most notable attribute is the ability to sync entries across multiple devices, a feature both iOS and Android users will appreciate.
The app also includes a feature called "On This Day," which provides users with an opportunity to revisit past entries, enhancing the reflective aspect of journaling. Moreover, the Day One app supports multiple journals and offers numerous options for organizing and categorizing entries.
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Pricing:
Free plan. Paid plan available annually at $34.99.
Pros of Day One
Cons of Day One
Grid Diary is a journaling app designed with a unique grid format that encourages structured yet flexible entry creation, making it suitable for bullet journaling. The app allows users to customize their journal layout by selecting and arranging question prompts, which guide the journaling process and facilitate reflection and planning. This structured approach helps users focus on specific aspects of their lives, such as personal growth, daily activities, or health tracking.
The app's interface integrates a calendar view, making it easy to navigate between past and future entries. Users can also set reminders to write in their journal, helping establish and maintain a consistent journaling routine. Grid Diary supports the inclusion of photos and location tagging in entries, adding a rich, personal context to the recorded moments.
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Pricing:
Free plan. Paid plan starting with $2.99/mo.
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Cons of Grid Diary:
Microsoft OneNote, a note taking tool, offers a wide array of features that help you keep track of ideas, to-dos, and professionally relevant information.
OneNote's features align well with the fundamentals of bullet journaling. It allows you to create separate notebooks for different areas of your life or projects, with the ability to further divide these into sections and pages for a high level of organization. In addition, you can easily create and manage to-do lists by using clickable checkboxes, a feature that replicates the rapid logging aspect of bullet journaling.
One significant advantage of OneNote is its inking capability, which allows you to take handwritten notes or draw directly on the screen, provided you are using a device with touch-screen capabilities. This appeals to those who enjoy the traditional way of keeping a journal or wish to add a personal touch to their entries.
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OneNote is available with a paid subscription of Microsoft 365.
Pros of OneNote
Cons of OneNote
Evernote is a popular note-taking application that also serves as an effective tool for bullet journaling. Users can create different notebooks within Evernote, each potentially serving as a separate journal or as different components of a bullet journal like collections, monthly logs, or daily entries. Evernote supports text, images, audio recordings, and attachments, allowing users to enrich their journal entries with multimedia content.
One of Evernote’s key features is its powerful search functionality, which enables users to quickly find notes by searching for text, even within images. This is particularly useful for bullet journalers who need to retrieve information quickly. The application also offers templates for various types of planning and note-taking, which can simplify setting up a new bullet journal. Evernote’s ability to sync across all devices where it's installed ensures that users have access to their journals whether on a phone, tablet, or computer.
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Pricing: Free, starting with $14.99/mo personal plan
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In wrapping up, it's clear that each bullet journaling software we discussed offers unique ways to enhance productivity and streamline workflow.
Choosing the right tool ultimately boils down your personal needs, workflow, and how each software resonates with you. It's productive to try a few options to grasp the ones that truly cater to your needs.
With a perfect mix of utility and customization, giving NotePlan a try would certainly enrich your journey through the vast landscape of digital bullet journaling.
"Bullet journaling is not just about keeping a record. It's about making a plan, giving every task a home, and ensuring you're not forgetting anything. It's a productivity tool, a memory tool, a creativity tool - all wrapped up into one. Going digital with bullet journaling can take this experience to a whole new level."
| App | Unique Features | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
Calendar Integration, Markdown support, linking, task management | Free trial, then $9.99/mo | |
Board and card system, customizable labels, due dates | Free; Paid plans start at $6/month | |
List, board, action, mind map views, real-time collaboration | Free; Paid plans start at $10/month | |
Reflection tool, digital backup of physical journals | $4.99 one-time purchase | |
Hierarchical list system, tagging, recurring reminders | Free; Paid plans start at $9.99/month | |
Habit tracker, seamless sync across devices | Free | |
Supports multimedia entries, strong security features | $4.17/month billed annually | |
Multimedia integration, "On This Day" feature | Free; Paid plans at $34.99/year | |
Structured question prompts, customization options | Free; Paid plans start at $2.99/month | |
Extensive note-taking capabilities, inking feature | Part of Microsoft 365 subscription | |
Powerful search, multimedia support, templates | Free; Paid plans start at $14.99/month |
Take your Bullet Journal digital with NotePlan
Get started for free with a 7 day trial
Take your Bullet Journal digital with NotePlan
Get started for free with a 7 day trial