Best Planners 2025: Customizable & Fountain Pen-Friendly Picks

Looking for the best planner for 2025? Every year around this time, I rethink which planner fits my needs best. For 2025, I reviewed and compared popular brands—some I’ve used for years, and some I’ve recently discovered. Each brand has its own charm, and I’ve grown to appreciate different features depending on how I plan.

In this post, I’ll walk you through a comparison of popular planner brands like Hobonichi, Traveler’s Notebook, Midori, Muji, Filofax, Leuchtturm1917, and Moleskine. Some are based on my personal experience, others on insights from fellow stationery lovers. Whether you value portability, customization, or premium paper, this guide will help you find a planner that fits your lifestyle.

What is the Best Brand of Planners?

Filofax

Filofax is a brand I recently discovered, and I was genuinely impressed by how premium and durable their covers feel. If you’re looking for a ring-bound system with plenty of flexibility, this could be a great pick. Filofax’s paper is also known for being fountain pen-friendly, making it a great choice for those who want both flexibility and quality. To explore their range of planner sizes and find the perfect fit for your needs, check out the Filofax Size Guide.

Hobonichi

I used two different Hobonichi planners in the same year, and it really helped me plan different areas of my life with clarity. Its Tomoe River paper and beautiful covers made planning something I looked forward to every day. The 2025 lineup offers a variety of sizes and beautiful cover options, making them a standout choice for those who appreciate both function and flair. To explore the full range and choose your ideal planner, visit the Buying Guide and find your perfect match for 2025.

Leuchtturm1917

Leuchtturm1917 planners are known for their excellent quality and thoughtful design. With sturdy covers, smooth paper, and organized layouts, these planners are ideal for anyone who values both aesthetics and functionality. They offer a premium feel that makes planning a pleasure.

Midori

Midori planners are a go-to for those who appreciate simplicity and high-quality paper. I have two of them in my current journaling routine. I love their minimalist design and the quality of the paper—it works perfectly with both fountain pens and gel pens.

Moleskine

Moleskine planners are a classic choice, offering a sleek and professional look. Available in various sizes and formats, Moleskine planners are perfect for those who want a durable, stylish planner that fits seamlessly into their daily routine.

Muji

If affordability is your priority, Muji’s recycled paper planners are a fantastic choice. Priced at under $1.90, these planners offer a minimalist design that stays true to Muji’s no-frills aesthetic. Perfect for those who want a simple yet effective planner, Muji planners are budget-friendly without compromising on quality.

Traveler’s Notebook

The Traveler’s Notebook is where I feel most creative. I love how freely I can build my own system. One of mine is a sticker book, another is used for daily sketching, and I even turned one into a travel wallet—it holds my passport, tickets, and currency. This refillable, leather-bound planner allows you to mix and match inserts, creating a setup that’s entirely your own. With the 2025 refills on the way, this system remains a timeless favorite for travelers and creative minds alike.

The Best Planners for 2025: Our Picks

How do you find the right planner for you? When selecting the best planners for 2025, we focused on quality, functionality, and design. These top picks offer the perfect balance between practicality and style, ensuring you stay organized and motivated throughout the year.

If you’re still confused about which planner to choose, we’ve highlighted the best fountain pen-friendly planners, highly customizable planners, and compact options that are easy to carry—so you can find the one that suits your needs best. These planners stand out for their exceptional features and thoughtful details, making them the top choices for 2025.

Best Fountain Pen-Friendly Paper: Hobonichi

When I first wrote on Hobonichi’s Tomoe River paper, I was amazed by how thin yet smooth it felt—perfect for fountain pens. Despite its delicate texture, the paper holds up beautifully to daily use. It’s this balance of softness and strength that makes it so appealing. You can jot down notes, sketch, or plan with precision while enjoying the full richness of fountain pen ink. Hobonichi planners combine this high-quality paper with thoughtful design, making them a favorite among fountain pen lovers like myself.

Best Customizable Planner: Traveler’s Notebook

The Traveler’s Notebook takes the prize for customization. Its refillable system allows you to tailor your planner to your needs. You can choose from various inserts, notebooks, and accessories. Whether you prefer a daily, weekly, or monthly layout, the Traveler’s Notebook offers flexibility. You can mix and match different inserts to create a setup that works for you.

With the ability to add or remove pages, customize the cover, and incorporate accessories like charms or bookmarks, this planner offers endless possibilities for personalization. The Traveler’s Notebook gives you the freedom to build a system that truly reflects your style—making it an ideal choice for those who value creative control.

Most Affordable Planner: Muji

Muji’s recycled paper planners are unbeatable in terms of affordability. At under $1.90, these minimalist planners offer a simple and effective solution for budget-conscious users. You don’t have to compromise on quality. Despite the low price, Muji planners maintain excellent functionality, featuring smooth paper and clean layouts that make planning easy and efficient.

These planners are perfect for those who prefer a no-frills approach to organizing their day without breaking the bank. With Muji, you get the essentials: quality paper, a practical design, and an unbeatable price. It’s an ideal choice for anyone seeking a functional planner without the extra cost.

Best for Portability: Traveler’s Notebook

The passport-sized Traveler’s Notebook is our top pick for portability. Compact and lightweight, it’s easy to carry wherever you go, making it perfect for those who are always on the move. One of my passport-sized Traveler’s Notebooks became my go-to travel wallet. I slipped in my passport, cash, tickets, and even receipts. It was super convenient and looked great too—like a personal travel companion.

Whether you’re traveling, commuting, or simply need a compact organizer, the Traveler’s Notebook ensures you stay organized without the bulk. Its minimalist design, combined with the ability to add or remove inserts, makes it a versatile option. It adapts to your lifestyle, offering the perfect balance of portability and functionality.

Best Cute Accessories: Hobonichi

Hobonichi planners stand out for their adorable and fun accessories. From colorful covers to charming stickers and unique page markers, they offer everything you need to personalize your planner with a touch of creativity and flair. Hobonichi is known for its ability to combine functionality with style, making each accessory an opportunity to express your personality. Whether you’re adding a playful charm or using a colorful cover to protect your planner, these accessories help you create a setup that’s uniquely yours.

The accessories also enhance the overall experience of using the planner, making it feel more like a personal project rather than just an organizational tool. If you love customizing your planner and adding cute details, Hobonichi provides a variety of options that fit perfectly into the daily planning routine. With so many fun and whimsical options, Hobonichi ensures that your planner setup is as enjoyable as the planning itself.

Best Minimal Design: Midori

Like I said earlier, Midori’s minimalist aesthetic really suits my taste. Its simple design makes it easy to style however I want, and I never get tired of it. With clean lines, high-quality paper, and thoughtfully designed layouts, these planners provide a serene and clutter-free planning experience. Unlike planners packed with extra features, Midori embraces a less-is-more philosophy, ensuring that every element serves a purpose. The lightweight design makes them easy to carry, while the smooth paper enhances the writing experience, whether using a fountain pen or a simple ballpoint.

Their versatile formats, including monthly, weekly, and daily layouts, allow users to choose a style that fits their workflow without unnecessary distractions. Midori planners blend beauty and function, making them ideal for those who prefer a calming and intentional approach to organization. Whether you need a structured format or open space for creative planning, Midori’s minimalist design gives you the flexibility to keep your system elegant and efficient.

Best Planners 2025: Final Thoughts

The 2025 planner lineup has something for everyone, from fountain pen lovers to those seeking a minimalist aesthetic. Whether you prioritize customization, affordability, portability, or stylish accessories, this year’s planners offer a wide range of features to suit different planning styles.

Finding the Right Planner for You

If you love fountain pens, planners like Hobonichi with Tomoe River paper are ideal for smooth writing without bleed-through. For those who enjoy customization, the Traveler’s Notebook stands out with its refillable system that lets you create a setup tailored to your needs. If budget-friendliness is your priority, Muji planners provide simplicity at an unbeatable price.

Over time, I’ve realized how much a good planner can improve not just productivity but also how I feel during the day. Whether it’s jotting down ideas in my Midori or flipping through memories in my Hobonichi, having a setup that fits my routine keeps me motivated.

I’ve explored various planner options, but which one is my favorite? Stay tuned for my upcoming post, where I’ll reveal my personal pick for the best 2025 planner!