Dottie

About Dottie

Dottie is a private AI journaling app for iOS that helps users reflect on their day while keeping data local. It offers on-device storage when using Apple Intelligence and supports cloud-based LLMs that the service reports will not store data or use it for training.

Review

Dottie presents a minimal, privacy-focused approach to AI-assisted journaling, with features geared toward quick voice or typed entries and concise summaries. It prioritizes user control over data and includes useful export options for full ownership of your notes.

Key Features

• On-device storage option with Apple Intelligence so personal data can remain local to the device.
• Support for cloud LLMs (chatGPT, Gemini, Claude) with a stated policy that cloud models won't store entries or use them for training.
• Voice dictation using the iOS SpeechTranscriber (creator-tested with English and German) and AI-assisted cleanup and summarization of messy dictation.
• Export capabilities including JSON, CSS, Markdown and PDF to maintain control and portability of your journal data.
• Contextual assistance via retrieval-augmented prompts; uses pre-trained models (no user model training available).

Pricing and Value

The product page indicates free options are available, but full pricing details or paid tiers are not listed on the launch entry. For users who place a premium on local data storage and simple AI journaling features, the available free option and export controls provide clear value. Those who require multi-platform access or advanced model customization may need to weigh additional costs or look for alternatives.

Pros

• Strong focus on privacy with on-device storage when using Apple Intelligence.
• Simple, uncluttered interface that encourages quick reflection and voice-first entry.
• Multiple export formats that give users ownership and portability of their data.
• Flexible use of cloud LLMs while stating a no-training/no-storage policy for entries.

Cons

• iOS-focused, which limits use for people on other platforms.
• No option for training or fine-tuning models with personal data.
• Language support beyond English and German is not clearly documented and may be limited.

Dottie is best suited for individuals who want a private, lightweight journaling tool with AI assistance and strong export controls. It makes sense for people who prefer on-device processing for sensitive entries and those who value a simple workflow for reflection and record keeping.

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