How do you like to plan? With thousands of planners out there, finding your perfect match can feel like trying to spot your best mate on a crowded train platform. Totally impossible.
We have rounded up the pros and cons of paper vs digital planners so you can find the right path for your planning style. Spoiler alert: it does not have to be exclusive. You can have more than one planner — and more than one type of planner.
This is everything we love about paper planners
The first paper planner was created by Robert Aitken in 1773 America. For the first time, people could use a pre-designed paper product to plan their future. Before that, journals were mainly used to log the past, rarely to plan ahead.
Since then, our love for paper planners has only grown. As life has got busier, paper planning has become a way to control our days and make the most of the minutes we have. What started as a simple item has evolved into a colourful, diverse collection of paper planners — all whilst harnessing the power of writing by hand.
“To me, typing is like work. Writing with a pen is like playing. And you can write on planes when they’re taking off and landing.”
— Neil Gaiman
Unplug from digital distractions
When you pick up your paper planner, you unplug from the digital world. You are not distracted by dozens of browser tabs or the comparison trap of a social scroll. Your mind is clearer, ready to daydream and discover what is possible.
This is our favourite way to plan: with an open mind and a hopeful heart. You have space to explore fresh ideas, set new goals, and break them into achievable steps on your own terms.
Tune into the memorability of writing by hand
Writing by hand is a deeper experience. Research has shown that “the pen is mightier than the keyboard” when it comes to processing what you write down.
Louise Goss, editor of The Homeworker magazine, shared her experience with us: “I find the act of writing on paper really cements my work into my brain due to the connection from hand to brain. I think writing in a paper planner helps you clarify things as well. It makes things real; it gives your plans and your goals a certainty and I think this helps you to commit to taking action.”
Paper planning is linked to better memory recall — important when you are setting goals. Writing schedules and to-do lists by hand means you are more likely to remember them. Some theories suggest this is due to the stronger sensory experience of pen on paper.
Feel free to tailor your planning
Although paper planners often contain guided structures, they are never rigid. You can write what you want wherever you want. Just as there are countless types of journaling, there are countless planning methods too.
Explore daily planners for structured days, guided journals for themed reflection, or A6 wirebound notepads for lists on the go.
Let’s not forget about the convenience of digital planners
The last few decades have seen an eruption of digital planners and tech tools to organise your life. This would not be a fair article if we did not talk about the pluses of digital planning too.
If you have a niche need, the chances are someone has already built an online version. You will find templates for popular platforms, coaches sharing techniques, and countless apps that make planning on the go as easy as tapping a few buttons.
Enjoy the convenience and portability
Most planning tools live in the cloud, which means you can log in wherever you are. Left your laptop at home? Open the mobile version on your phone. There is an inherent convenience in a digital planner that is always accessible.
Louise uses a hybrid approach: “While I do use a digital calendar as I benefit from how it can sync across devices, I love paper products from both a productivity and pleasure perspective. I get a lot of joy from opening up the fresh new page and setting out goals and plans for the next year. A new planner feels like new potential and possibilities.”
Share your plans with those who need to stay in the loop
The beauty of a digital planner is that you can share calendars and deadlines with family, colleagues, or clients. That collaboration is harder to replicate on paper alone — which is why many people use both.
Paper vs digital planners: our two cents
Paper planners are more than something pretty on your desk (although they are great for that too). They provide order in a chaotic world, help you simplify your to-do list, boost productivity, and create a powerful sense of accomplishment.
Digital planners offer flexibility, collaboration, and portability. There is no single “perfect planner” — only the perfect planner for you. That might be digital, paper, or a hybrid of both.
Still exploring how you like to capture thoughts? Try moon journaling, dream journaling, or our guide to types of goals.
Your paper planner awaits
Browse daily planners for hour-by-hour structure, or explore the full journal collection if you prefer open pages you can shape yourself.
