You’ve been browsing digital planners for a while because you’ve finally decided to give digital planning a try. You found a planner you like, but then you noticed it comes in two versions, and now you’re wondering: dated or undated digital planner?
Neither one is objectively better than the other. It depends on how you plan and what you need. In this post, I’ll explain the differences so you can make a decision without guessing.
What Is a Dated Digital Planner?
A dated digital planner already includes the days and dates in the monthly, weekly, and daily pages. Some start in January, while others start in July.
The biggest advantage is obvious: you open the planner and it’s ready to use. You don’t have to set anything up before you start planning. That lowers friction and makes it easier to build the habit, especially if you’re new to digital planning.
The downside is just as obvious: they expire, and you need to buy a new one every year. Digital PDF planners are designed year by year just like paper planners. They’re not apps that update automatically forever, so buying one planner doesn’t include endless future date updates.
Also, if you decide to start planning a few months into the year, or you stop planning for a while for any reason, those unused months will remain blank and may make you feel like you’re “wasting” pages.
What Is an Undated Digital Planner?
An undated digital planner has the same structure as a dated one, but the days and dates aren’t pre-filled. You write them yourself using your note-taking app and stylus. These planners usually include links from every page to the daily pages through a top menu, rather than by tapping directly on a day box in the monthly or weekly view.
That leads to a couple of important practical differences.
First: you can start whenever you want without feeling behind. It doesn’t matter whether it’s January or October. Any unused months can simply be reused the following year if you want.
Second: you can use it year after year. You buy the planner once and keep it forever. If you struggle to stay consistent after purchasing it, that’s fine, it’ll still be there whenever you decide to try again. That also makes it more cost-effective in the long run.
The most common downside people mention: you have to write the dates yourself. During periods when motivation is high, that can actually feel relaxing or even enjoyable. But when you’re short on time or energy, it can become another task you postpone, and eventually an excuse not to use the planner at all.
Differences at a Glance
|
Dated |
Undated |
|
|
Initial setup |
None |
Fill in dates each month |
|
Lifespan |
One year |
Unlimited |
|
Long-term cost |
One purchase per year |
One-time purchase |
|
Time flexibility |
Fixed to the current year |
Fully flexible |
|
Best if... |
You want to start immediately |
You don’t want to replace it every year |
|
Main risk |
Starting late means only using part of the planner |
Procrastinating on setup |
Which One Is Right for You?
Choose a dated digital planner if:
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You’re new to digital planning and want everything ready to use from day one.
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You know that if you have to prepare anything before starting, you’ll probably procrastinate.
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You prefer a planner that reflects the current year exactly, with the correct weekly structure and no setup work required.
Choose an undated digital planner if:
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You already have experience with digital planners and don’t mind setting up the pages each month. You may even enjoy it as a relaxing or creative process.
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You’re starting to plan at a time of year that isn’t January and don’t want to pay for months you won’t use.
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You prefer buying once instead of replacing your planner every year.
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Your planning habits are irregular, some weeks you use it constantly, while during other periods you barely touch it, and you don’t want pre-set dates making you feel pressured.
If you’re still unsure, there’s one question that usually helps: in the past, have you abandoned physical or digital planners halfway through the year and then felt guilty or like you failed? If the answer is yes, an undated planner will probably fit your rhythm better. If your main issue is needing everything ready before you can get started, go with a dated planner.
A Note About Layout
Both dated and undated planners come in landscape and portrait layouts. This is a separate decision from dated vs undated, but it’s worth considering before you buy because it affects how you view and use your planner on your iPad or tablet. If you’re not sure which layout suits you best, you can read this post about how to choose between a horizontal or vertical digital planner.
If you already know which type of planner you want, here are the BY INMA options:
- Dated digital planners (annual version January-December)
- Dated digital planners (mid-year version July-July)
- Undated digital planners