Bullet Journal vs Digital Planner — Which Is Right for You?

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The bullet journal vs digital planner debate is one of the most common questions in the planning community. The honest answer: neither is better. They're different tools for different minds.

Here's how to figure out which one is right for you.

What is bullet journaling?

Bullet journaling (BuJo) is a fully analogue, fully customisable system invented by Ryder Carroll. You start with a blank dotted notebook and build every page from scratch — your own layout, your own symbols, your own structure.

The upside: infinite flexibility, deeply personal, no screen time. The downside: significant setup time, requires consistency and creativity.

What is a digital planner?

A digital planner is a pre-designed PDF with hyperlinks, tabs, and structure — opened on an iPad with GoodNotes or Notability. You get the feel of handwriting with the convenience of a screen.

The upside: always with you, searchable, no physical bulk, instant purchase and download. The downside: requires an iPad and Apple Pencil, screen time.

Choose bullet journaling if…

• You enjoy the creative process of designing your pages
• You want zero screen time for your planning practice
• You prefer a highly personal, unique system
• You have 30–60 minutes a week to set up spreads

Choose a digital planner if…

• You want to start immediately without setup time
• You travel frequently and don't want a physical notebook
• You already use an iPad daily
• You prefer a consistent, professional-looking structure

The hybrid approach (most popular)

Many people use both — a digital planner for scheduling, tasks, and habit tracking, and a physical notebook for creative thinking, journaling, and ideas.

There's no rule that says you have to pick one.

Whichever system you choose, the best planner is the one you actually open. Browse our digital planners →