Buying guide · Bullet journal
The bullet journal alternative: structure ready-printed, freedom included
A bullet journal gives you freedom, but every week it costs you time drawing weekly spreads and trackers. A pre-structured planner does that for you and still leaves room for your own lists and notes.
- No weekly spreads to draw
- Notes section included
- Made in Germany
Updated: 20 October 2026 · Prices incl. VAT
The short answer
What is a good alternative to a bullet journal?
A planner that comes with a ready-made weekly structure and has its own notes section. Depending on your type:
- Compact with a large notes section: the weekview compact note 2027: a week on two pages with ABC priorities, plus 47 notes pages in squared, dot grid and plain, and 20 lists (from €22.95).
- With goals and projects: the weekview Business Planner 2027 A5+ with quarterly planning, 10 project pages, 14 lists and 32 notes pages (from €32.95).
- Modular like a bullet journal: the weekview X17 system: calendar, notes and tool booklets in one cover, freely combinable.
- Undated, day by day: the weekview DayBook with 92 daily pages (€9.95).
- Still free, but with a template: a dotted notebook plus a weekly template – if you enjoy the designing itself.
Which type are you?
What you like about bullet journaling – and what you don't
Tap what matters most to you.
Comparison
Bullet journal vs ready-made planners
What you have to set up yourself and what is already printed.
Swipe the table sideways →
| Blank bullet journal (dotted) | weekview compact note | weekview Business Planner A5+ | weekview X17 (modular) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly pages | Draw them yourself | Ready-made, week on 2 pages | Ready-made, with hourly grid 6 am–8 pm | Ready-made, half-year booklets |
| Year and month overview | Set up yourself | 12 monthly views, year overviews | Year overviews 2027–2029, 12 monthly pages | In the planning overview booklet |
| Goals | Set up yourself | 4 areas of life, life goals | Life and annual goals, goal collection | Goals 2027 in the planning overview |
| Quarterly planning | Set up yourself | Plan, overview, monitor | Collect, plan, implement, monitor, evaluate | Quarterly pages |
| Priorities | Your own symbols | A/B/C every week | A/B/C every week | A/B/C per week |
| Free pages | All of them | 47 notes pages + 20 lists | 32 notes pages + 14 lists | notes booklets of your choice |
| Time needed per week | Drawing and designing | None | None | None |
| Price | Depends on the notebook | from €22.95 | from €32.95 | from €21.95 |
The alternatives in detail
Ready-made structure, your own freedom
All weekview planners follow the same logic: week, priorities, quarter.
A6+ · 224 pages · from €22.95
weekview compact note 2027
The most obvious alternative: ready-made weeks, months, goals and quarters, followed by a large free section with 47 notes pages in squared, dot grid and plain.
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256 pages · 90 gsm Cordier Fly 05 · from €32.95
weekview Business Planner 2027 A5+
For anyone who mainly used their bullet journal for goals and projects: a timeline, 10 project pages with milestones, routines and a notes section.
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A5 booklets for the X17 cover · from €21.95
weekview X17 compact 2027
Modular like a bullet journal: combine calendar booklets, notes, tools or DayBook in one cover and swap each booklet individually.
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Undated · 92 days · €9.95
weekview DayBook
For daily planners: time blocks, to-dos, carry-overs and a daily summary on one double page per day, ready to start on any day.
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Undated · 156 weeks · €99
weekview Essentials A4
Instead of habit trackers, a set weekly review: achievements, insights, next steps, mood and vitality – for three years.
View →Questions & answers
Frequently asked questions about bullet journal alternatives
What is a good alternative to a bullet journal?
A planner with a ready-made weekly structure and its own notes section, for example the weekview compact note 2027 with 47 notes pages and 20 lists (from €22.95) or the Business Planner 2027 A5+ with goal, quarterly and project pages (from €32.95).
Is there a bullet journal with pre-printed weekly pages?
Yes, so-called hybrid planners: a ready-made diary section at the front, free dotted or squared pages at the back. The weekview compact note is built this way.
Why do many people give up bullet journaling?
Usually because of the time it takes: every week, pages, trackers and overviews have to be drawn again. A ready-made planner saves you this step.
Is there a modular alternative?
Yes, the weekview X17 system: A5 calendar, notes and tool booklets are combined in one cover and swapped individually.
Is there an undated alternative?
Yes, the weekview DayBook (92 days, €9.95) or the Essentials weekly reflection book for three years.
Are weekview calendars suitable for Austria and Switzerland too?
Yes. The dated weekview 2027 calendars (Business Planner, compact note, compact extended, Business and Personal inserts, X17 and LifeCoach) include the public holidays for Germany and Austria. The holiday planner shows the school holidays in Germany. We ship from Munich to Austria and Switzerland. In Austria you can also buy weekview via Amazon.de.
Prefer to try it out first?
The compact note is weekview's most affordable bound weekly planner.