The best mood tracker apps make logging quick and show patterns over time. Daylio does that with taps instead of typing, How We Feel helps you find the right word for an emotion, and Finch and Reflectly wrap check-ins in a pet or a journal. Solo Era is not a mood tracker: it records how nervous you felt before and after a specific outing, which answers a different question.
Mood vs outing ratings
A mood tracker asks "how am I today?" Many people also want to know "did that thing get easier?" Solo Era asks that second question. Before you start a mission you rate how nervous you feel, and again afterwards. Over weeks the Progress screen plots the numbers with XP and a weekly streak. It works well next to a daily mood log, because one tells you about your days and the other about your steps. Our self-rating method explains how to use a 1 to 10 scale without overthinking it.
How we compared them
We read each App Store listing on 2026-11-01. We did not test every feature for weeks, and we quote no prices or ratings. Platforms below are what the listing shows.
| Criterion | Question |
|---|---|
| Speed | Can you log in under a minute? |
| Pattern view | Does it help you see trends, not just entries? |
| Reflection | Can you add context in your own words? |
| Privacy | What does the listing say about your data? |
| Tone | Is it neutral, playful or clinical? |
Quick comparison
| App | Style | Best for | Platforms (listing) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solo Era | Before/after nervousness ratings | Seeing outings get easier | iPhone |
| Daylio | Tap-based mood diary | Fast daily logs | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| How We Feel | Emotion vocabulary and strategies | Naming what you feel | iPhone, iPad |
| Finch | Self-care pet | Gentle daily routine | iPhone, iPad |
| Reflectly | AI-guided journal | Writing with prompts | iPhone, iPad |
1. Solo Era
Best for: people who want evidence that a specific situation (eating alone, a solo trip, a class) feels less scary over time.
Solo Era is an iPhone app of missions for doing things alone, in seven categories and five difficulty levels. Each mission has a before rating and an after rating of how nervous you felt. The journal stores a photo and notes with each completed mission, and the Progress screen shows ratings over months, plus XP and a weekly streak. You can also write custom missions. Our journaling apps page covers the writing side.
Free to download. A subscription is required to start missions. Prices and any free trial are shown in the app and depend on the offer and eligibility.
Not a fit if: you want a daily emotion log with many categories. Solo Era does not track general mood, sleep or health data, it is iPhone only, and it is not therapy or medical care.
Solo Era for iPhone
See whether a situation gets easier over months
Solo Era gives you one realistic mission a week, records how nervous you felt before and after, and keeps a photo journal of what you did. An iPhone app. A subscription is required to start missions; any free trial depends on the offer and eligibility shown in the app.
2. Daylio
Best for: logging your day in a few taps without writing a line.
Daylio's listing describes a private micro-diary: pick a mood and the activities you did, and look back at stats later. It is versatile, so people use it for exercise, meals or gratitude too. It supports iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch per the listing. The activity tagging is what makes patterns visible, for example which activities tend to sit near good days. See our Finch alternatives if you prefer something more playful than a diary.
Not a fit if: you want a lot of free writing. It is designed to be light, not a long-form journal. The listing uses wellbeing language; treat it as self-tracking.
3. How We Feel
Best for: people who struggle to put a word on an emotion.
The listing describes How We Feel as an app created by scientists, designers, engineers and therapists, conceived with Yale University's Center for Emotional Intelligence and based on Dr Marc Brackett's work. It helps you find the right word, track sleep and exercise via HealthKit, and spot patterns. The listing says it is free and supported by donations, and that data stays on your device unless you opt in to share an anonymised version for research.
Not a fit if: you want a diary with photos or a streak game. It is more of an emotional-vocabulary tool.
4. Finch: Self-Care Pet
Best for: gentle daily check-ins where a pet does the cheering.
Finch is a self-care app where completing exercises grows a virtual pet and earns rewards. Check-ins live inside that loop, so it feels like a routine rather than a chart. Finch is free to download, with extra plans shown in the app. See Finch alternatives for comparisons.
Not a fit if: a cute pet is distracting or you want a plain data view.
5. Reflectly
Best for: people who want prompts and a conversational diary.
Reflectly's listing calls it a journaling app with a mood diary, personalised prompts and an AI element. The listing makes strong wellbeing claims; we do not repeat them, and you should treat Reflectly as a journal, not as treatment. It supports iPhone and iPad.
Not a fit if: you want no AI features or a minimal log. Some people prefer to write without prompts.
Choosing: which question do you have?
| Your question | Try |
|---|---|
| "How have my days been?" | Daylio |
| "What am I actually feeling?" | How We Feel |
| "Can I keep a small routine?" | Finch |
| "Do I want to write more?" | Reflectly or a journal |
| "Is this situation getting easier?" | Solo Era |
A one-minute check-in you can do anywhere
- Rate your mood or nerves from 1 to 10.
- Write one word for the feeling.
- Write one thing that affected it.
- Repeat tomorrow. After two weeks, look for a pattern.
If you do outings, add one line: "Before: 7. After: 4." That small habit is the core of Solo Era's before-and-after ratings, and you can do it on paper too.
Looking for a broader toolkit? Self-improvement apps and daily challenge apps cover goal setting and routines.
Not medical advice
Tracking mood can help you notice patterns, but it is not a diagnosis. If you feel low for weeks, struggle to function or have thoughts of harming yourself, contact a doctor or licensed professional. findahelpline.com lists helplines by country.
Last checked: 2026-11-01. Facts come from App Store listings and can change. Check the app for current features and prices.
FAQ
What is the best free mood tracker app?
Several apps here are free to download, but features and plans change. How We Feel's listing describes itself as free and donation-supported; check the others in the app.
Can a mood tracker diagnose depression or anxiety?
No. Mood trackers record how you feel and show patterns. Only a doctor or licensed professional can diagnose.
Is Solo Era a mood tracker?
No. It records how nervous you felt before and after missions. It does not track general mood, sleep or health.
How often should I log my mood?
Once a day is plenty for most people. A habit you keep beats a detailed log you abandon.
Is my mood data private?
It depends on the app. How We Feel's listing says data stays on your device unless you opt in. Read each privacy policy before you start.
Do I need an app at all?
No. A notes page with a number and a word works. Use an app if reminders and charts help you keep going.
Solo Era for iPhone
Try it with Solo Era
Solo Era gives you one realistic mission a week, records how nervous you felt before and after, and keeps a photo journal of what you did. An iPhone app. A subscription is required to start missions; any free trial depends on the offer and eligibility shown in the app.
