About
Moodnotes is a thoughtfully designed mood-tracking and journaling application that combines the science of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with intuitive mobile UX. Originally developed by Thriveport and later acquired by Bending Spoons, the app empowers users to check in with their emotions daily, journal about their experiences, and uncover patterns in their thinking and feeling. At the core of Moodnotes is a simple, engaging mood-capture flow that takes seconds to complete. After logging a mood, users are guided to reflect on the thoughts behind it, and the app helps identify common cognitive distortions—such as catastrophizing or all-or-nothing thinking—that may be impacting their outlook. Over time, Moodnotes builds a rich history of emotional data presented through clear charts and trend visualizations. The app is particularly well-suited for individuals seeking a self-guided approach to emotional wellness, students managing academic stress, or anyone curious about the relationship between their thoughts and feelings. It does not replace professional therapy but serves as a powerful daily companion for building self-awareness. Premium features unlock advanced insights, detailed statistics, and an expanded journaling toolkit. Moodnotes is available exclusively on iOS and has earned a loyal user base for its clean design, evidence-based approach, and ease of use.
Key Features
- CBT-Based Mood Logging: Quickly capture your current mood on an intuitive scale and reflect on the thoughts driving it, guided by Cognitive Behavioral Therapy frameworks.
- Thinking Trap Identification: The app detects common cognitive distortions—like catastrophizing, mind reading, and black-and-white thinking—and helps users reframe them constructively.
- Mood History & Trend Charts: Visual charts and graphs let users review their emotional patterns over days, weeks, and months to spot triggers and track progress.
- Guided Journaling Prompts: Structured prompts encourage deeper self-reflection beyond the mood check-in, helping users process events and emotions more thoroughly.
- Private & Secure: All journal entries and mood data are stored locally on the device, ensuring complete privacy with no data sent to external servers.
Use Cases
- Daily emotional check-ins to build greater self-awareness and mindfulness around mood fluctuations.
- Identifying and reframing cognitive distortions for individuals practicing self-guided CBT techniques.
- Students managing academic stress who want a quick, evidence-based tool to process emotions and track mental well-being.
- Tracking mood trends over time to share meaningful emotional history with a therapist or counselor.
- Journaling about daily events and reflections to develop healthier thought patterns and emotional resilience.
Pros
- Evidence-Based Approach: Grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, making it one of the most scientifically credible self-help mood apps available.
- Clean & Intuitive Design: The minimal, distraction-free interface makes it easy to complete a mood check-in in under a minute, encouraging consistent daily use.
- Strong Privacy Standards: Data stays on-device by default, which is a major advantage for users concerned about mental health data privacy.
Cons
- iOS Only: Moodnotes is not available on Android or web, limiting accessibility for non-Apple users.
- Advanced Features Require Premium: Deeper insights, detailed statistics, and expanded journaling tools are locked behind a paid subscription.
- Not a Therapy Replacement: While CBT-inspired, the app lacks professional oversight and is not a substitute for clinical mental health treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Moodnotes based on?
Moodnotes is built on principles from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a well-researched psychological approach that links thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The app helps users identify and challenge unhelpful thinking patterns.
Is Moodnotes free to use?
Moodnotes offers a free tier with core mood-tracking and journaling features. A premium subscription unlocks advanced insights, detailed trend analysis, and additional journaling tools.
Is my mood and journal data private?
Yes. Moodnotes stores all data locally on your iOS device by default, so your mood logs and journal entries are not transmitted to or stored on external servers.
Is Moodnotes available on Android?
No, Moodnotes is currently only available for iOS (iPhone and iPad). There is no Android or web version at this time.
Who developed Moodnotes?
Moodnotes was originally developed by Thriveport. It was later acquired by Bending Spoons, a company known for acquiring and improving digital products at scale.
