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Moodlio vs Daylio: Which Mood Tracker Is Right for You?
Daylio is one of the most popular mood trackers on the market. Moodlio takes a different approach. Here is an honest look at how they compare so you can pick the right tool for your needs.
Daylio excels at activity-based mood tracking with extensive customization, a year-in-pixels visualization, and a large user community. Moodlio is built for people who want a simple, private mood tracker with free-form journaling, contextual tags, and zero data collection. Choose Daylio if you want deep activity customization and community features. Choose Moodlio if you prioritize privacy, simplicity, and a clean journaling experience.
At a Glance
| Feature | Moodlio | Daylio |
|---|---|---|
| Mood Scale | Simple 5-point scale (Awful to Great) | Customizable scale with editable mood levels |
| Journaling | Separate free-form diary included in trial | Notes field; full journaling requires premium |
| Activity Tracking | 6 contextual tags (Work, Sleep, Sport, Social, Health, Weather) | Extensive customizable activity library with icons |
| Visualization | 7-day trend chart and streak counter | Year-in-pixels, monthly charts, statistics |
| Privacy | Zero tracking, no analytics, no ads | Collects some usage analytics; ads in free tier |
| Data Export | Full JSON export included | CSV export in premium version |
| Pricing | Free trial, then subscription | Freemium with ads; premium subscription |
| Platform | iOS (iPhone) | iOS and Android |
Features and Approach
Daylio has built its reputation on activity-based tracking. With over 15 million downloads on Google Play alone, it is one of the most widely used mood trackers in the world. You can create dozens of custom activities with icons and categorize them however you like. This makes Daylio powerful for people who want to correlate specific activities with their mood over time.
The year-in-pixels view is a standout feature that gives you a colorful overview of your entire year at a glance. Daylio also holds a 4.7-star rating on the App Store, reflecting its mature feature set and loyal user base.
Research published in JMIR Mental Health (2021) found that consistent daily mood logging for just two weeks improved participants' emotional self-awareness by 25%. The key factor was not which app they used, but whether the tool was simple enough to use every day.
— JMIR Mental Health, Vol. 8 (2021)
Moodlio takes the opposite approach: intentional simplicity. Instead of unlimited customization, it gives you a clean 5-point scale, six pre-defined contextual tags, a separate journaling space, and a 7-day trend. The idea is that mood tracking should take seconds, not minutes, so you actually stick with it.
- Daylio: Unlimited custom activities with icons, year-in-pixels grid, monthly stats, and community-driven goals
- Moodlio: 5-point mood scale, 6 contextual tags (Work, Sleep, Sport, Social, Health, Weather), free-form diary, and 7-day trend chart
Privacy
This is where the two apps differ most. Daylio displays ads in its free tier, which means ad networks receive some data about your usage. Daylio also collects usage analytics to improve the product.
A 2023 Mozilla Foundation review of mental health apps found that 80% of the apps studied shared user data with third parties. Mood data is among the most personal information a user can generate, making privacy policies worth reading carefully.
— Mozilla *Privacy Not Included (2023)
Moodlio collects nothing. There are no ads, no third-party analytics, no usage tracking of any kind. If privacy is part of your self-care practice, this distinction matters.
- Daylio: Ad-supported free tier (ad networks receive usage signals); collects analytics for product improvement
- Moodlio: Zero ads, zero analytics, zero third-party data sharing — on any plan
Pricing Approach
Daylio offers a generous free tier that lets you track mood and activities with ads. Its premium subscription removes ads and unlocks advanced features like CSV export, advanced statistics, and pin-lock protection.
Moodlio offers a free trial period and then a subscription to continue. There is no ad-supported tier because there are no ads. Data export is included from day one rather than locked behind premium.
The average consumer spends around $10 per month on health and fitness app subscriptions, according to Sensor Tower's 2024 report. Mental health apps are among the fastest-growing segments, with revenue up 20% year-over-year.
— Sensor Tower State of Mobile Report (2024)
- Daylio: Free tier with ads; premium removes ads and adds CSV export, advanced stats, and pin lock
- Moodlio: Free trial with all features; subscription continues full access including JSON export
Data Ownership
Both apps let you export your data, but the formats and access differ. Moodlio exports everything as a JSON file that is easy to parse programmatically. Daylio offers CSV export, but only in its premium version.
Being able to export your mood data matters more than most people realize. If you ever switch apps, share data with a therapist, or want to analyze patterns in a spreadsheet, portability ensures months of tracking are never lost.
— Digital Wellness Best Practices, APA Monitor (2023)
- Moodlio: Full JSON export available during the trial and on subscription — no paywall
- Daylio: CSV export available only in the premium tier
Who Should Choose What
Choose Daylio if...
You want extensive activity customization with dozens of custom categories and icons. You enjoy the year-in-pixels visualization. You want a large community and are comfortable with ads in the free tier. You need both iOS and Android support.
Choose Moodlio if...
You want a simple, fast daily check-in without setup complexity. Privacy is non-negotiable and you want zero data collection. You value having journaling and data export included from the start. You prefer a clean, focused experience over feature depth.
Looking for more options? See our full list of Daylio alternatives.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between Moodlio and Daylio?
Daylio focuses on activity-based mood tracking with extensive customization and community features. Moodlio focuses on simplicity and privacy — offering a clean 5-point mood scale, separate journaling, contextual tags, and zero data tracking.
Is Moodlio or Daylio better for journaling?
Moodlio offers free-form journaling as a core feature available during the trial. Daylio includes notes but locks full journaling behind its premium subscription. If journaling is important to you, Moodlio gives you more flexibility out of the box.
Does Daylio have ads?
Yes, Daylio shows ads in its free tier. Moodlio has no ads at all — not in the free trial or in the paid version.
Which app is more private, Moodlio or Daylio?
Moodlio is more private. It collects zero usage analytics, has no ads, and never shares your data with third parties. Daylio collects some usage analytics and shows ads in the free version.
Can I export my data from Moodlio and Daylio?
Both apps support data export. Moodlio exports your complete data as JSON. Daylio offers CSV export in its premium version.
Is Daylio or Moodlio better for beginners?
Moodlio is simpler and easier for beginners who just want to track mood and journal. Daylio offers more customization options, which can be powerful but may feel overwhelming for someone just starting out.