Grounded in reality
Every comparison point is sourced from App Store listings or official pricing pages so nothing is embellished or assumed.
Mudo vs Headspace, Calm, Day One & Journey: Honest Comparison
We reviewed each App Store listing and primary site to give you a calm, factual comparison of popular mood and journaling tools—no hype, just what's published by each team.
If you're navigating anxiety, burnout, or simply want gentler check-ins, use the sections below to see the friction, privacy posture, and pricing each app asks of you.
Clarity around friction
See how quickly Mudo captures a mood versus the time commitment of guided meditation platforms or full journaling suites.
Support for any path
When another product suits therapy, long-form stories, or AI reflections better, we name it so you can decide peacefully.
Feature
Mudo
Headspace
Calm
Day One
Journey
Logging friction
One-tap mood check-ins + notes
No journaling; guided sessions
No journaling; guided sessions
Manual entries with templates
Manual entries with mood tags
Daily habit support
Streak flame + gentle reminders
Courses and streak tracking
Daily Calm & multi-day programs
Reminders and streaks
Daily prompts & coach programs
Insight depth
Mood trends & custom insights (mudo+)
Meditation stats; no mood analysis
Session history; no journaling analytics
Timeline, map, On This Day
Mood tracker + 30-day view
Privacy posture
Usage & diagnostics only; not linked
Collects health, usage, identifiers
Collects data for tracking & usage
Cloud sync with end-to-end encryption
End-to-end encryption in Cloud Sync
Pricing model (USD)
Free core; optional mudo+ unlocks insights
$12.99/mo or $69.99/yr subscription
$14.99/mo or $69.99/yr; $399 lifetime
$4.17/mo billed annually for Premium
$6.99/mo or $49.99/yr membership
Platform scope
iPhone (widgets + reminders)
iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Watch
iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch
iPhone, iPad, Mac + web
Guided content library
Minimal by design—no content library
500+ meditations, coaching, therapy
Sleep Stories, music, breathwork catalog
User-created journaling content
Coach programs & templates
Category leaders at a glance
Short notes on who leads each area. Full research and sources are available on request.
Fastest check-ins — Mudo
Mudo opens straight to a six-emotion grid, logs with a single tap, and lets you add a quick note or leave it at that. Most entries take seconds.
Source: Mudo — App Store
Guided care — Headspace & Calm
Headspace and Calm invest in large meditation libraries, sleepcasts, and even coaching or therapy support when you need structured guidance.
Where Mudo fits best
Moments when a lightweight mood journal supports your mental health practice without overwhelming you.
Between therapy or coaching sessions
Open Mudo, tap how you feel, optionally add a short note, and move on. Check-ins stay doable even on a busy day.
Gentle accountability
Streaks and optional reminders nudge consistency without judgement—useful when motivation dips but you still want awareness.
Optional depth when you're ready
Stay on the free plan for quick logs or upgrade to mudo+ for historical insights, custom moods, and data export—nothing is forced before you need it.
Comparison snapshots
Fast, honest summaries for each app. Use the source links to verify claims or read deeper.
Mudo
Micro mood journal for quick, lightweight reflection.
- Six core emotions, optional notes, and streak tracking.
- Home Screen widgets and Smart Stack support keep logging visible.
- mudo+ unlocks full history, custom moods, and advanced insights.
Source: Mudo — App Store
Headspace
Meditation and mental health platform with guided content, live coaches, and therapy options.
- 500+ guided meditations, sleep tools, and breathwork sessions.
- Optional access to licensed therapists, mental health coaches, and AI companion Ebb.
- Subscription: $12.99/mo or $69.99/yr in the US.
Source: Headspace — App Store
Calm
Sleep and relaxation app with celebrity-led Sleep Stories and a broad content catalog.
- Guided meditations, soundscapes, music, and Daily Calm/Trip sessions.
- Integrates with Apple Health for mindfulness minutes.
- Subscription: $14.99/mo, $69.99/yr, or $399.99 lifetime.
Source: Calm — App Store
Day One
Full-featured digital journal for deep entries, multimedia, and printed books.
- Unlimited journals, rich media, On This Day memories, and templates.
- End-to-end encryption, passcode/biometric locks, and export formats.
- Premium: $4.17/mo billed annually after a free month trial.
Journey
Cross-platform journaling suite with mood tracking, shared journals, and AI support.
- Rich text editor with multimedia, templates, and automation plugins.
- Journey Cloud Sync offers end-to-end encryption and shared spaces.
- Membership: $6.99/mo or $49.99/yr via App Store ($4.17/mo on site).
Sources: App Store • Membership
When another app might fit better
- Headspace or Calm specialise in guided meditations, live coaches, and therapy add-ons when you want structured support beyond mood logging.
- Day One is built for long-form storytelling with media attachments, printed books, and multiple journals.
- Journey offers cross-platform writing, shared journals, and automation if you prefer a feature-rich studio.
FAQ
Does Mudo replace guided meditation apps?
Mudo is intentionally narrow: log emotions fast, add a short reflection, review patterns. If you want breathwork courses or coaching, keep Headspace or Calm next to it.
How private is my data in Mudo?
According to the App Store, Mudo only collects usage and diagnostics data that is not linked to your identity. Upgrade users can export entries whenever they wish. App Store privacy summary
Can I use Mudo alongside Day One or Journey?
Yes. Many people log quick moods in Mudo, then expand longer stories in Day One or Journey where templates and book printing shine. The export option keeps your Mudo entries portable if you ever want to merge data.
Methodology
All claims come from the vendors' latest App Store listings or primary sites as of 14 Nov 2025. No assumptions or third-party hearsay. Need deeper evidence for a specific table row? Ping us and we'll surface the exact source link.