Ever wondered how to keep your thoughts and projects organized without getting overwhelmed?

Enter the world of Outliner apps – a digital haven for writers, project managers, and anyone looking to streamline their workflow.

But with a plethora of options out there, which one should you choose?

In this blog post, we’ll dive into the 10 best outliner apps, studying their features, compatibility, and much more.

So, let’s find the perfect Tool to outline your next big project or the blueprint of your daily life.

Criteria for selection

When selecting the top outliner apps, we focused on a few key aspects:

1. Free version availability: Because everyone loves a good freebie, but quality shouldn’t be compromised.
2. Cross-platform compatibility: Whether you’re on desktop, web, or mobile, accessing your outlines on the go is a must.
3. Cloud integration: This is for seamless syncing across devices because nobody likes outdated info.
4. Maintenance and updates: An app that grows and improves over time is an app worth investing in.

Now, let’s move forward to explore the standout outliner apps. These tools not only meet our criteria but also offer unique features that cater to various needs and preferences.

Top 10 outliner apps

Let’s find the perfect outliner app to bring your ideas to life and keep your workflow smooth and stress-free.

Workflowy – The OG of outlining

Workflowy, often hailed as the pioneer in the Outlining app space, offers an impressively minimalist yet powerful platform for managing just about everything.

Imagine a single document where your ideas, tasks, and projects cascade into an infinite nest of bullets—this is Workflowy. It’s like having a second brain, neatly organized and infinitely scalable.

From 2018 to 2021, Workflowy’s development pace may have appeared slow, but the growing interest in personal knowledge management systems sparked a flurry of innovation.

The app has since expanded its toolkit far beyond basic outlining.

Today, Workflowy boasts unique various features such as:

• Live copy (Mirroring): Its unique ‘live copy’ feature allows bullets to be mirrored across multiple locations, creating a web of interconnected ideas that’s both fractal and functional.
• Kanban boards: Adds visual task management capabilities, enabling users to organize tasks and projects in a flexible interface.
• Global search: Quickly find any item within your outlines, regardless of where it’s located.
• Feature-rich mobile apps: Ensures a seamless experience across devices, allowing users to access and edit their outlines on the go.

Pricing:

Workflowy offers a free version, but it comes with a catch: a monthly bullet limit of 250. For power users, the Pro version at $4.99 per month unlocks unlimited bullets, file uploads, full sharing options, auto-backup to Dropbox, and premium support.

This makes Workflowy a versatile tool, whether you’re outlining a novel or managing a complex project.

Dynalist – Versatile choice

Dynalist takes the concept of outlining and adds a layer of organization. This makes it an ideal choice for those who love the flexibility of outlines but need more order in their digital lives.

Unlike Workflowy, Dynalist allows for the creation of multiple documents, each nested within folders, offering a more granular approach to managing various projects or ideas.

Here’s a closer look at what makes Dynalist stand out:

• Multiple documents and folders: This feature enables users to create distinct documents for different projects or topics, organizing these documents within folders for easy navigation and compartmentalization.
• Advanced formatting and headings: Dynalist provides rich text formatting options and the ability to use headings, facilitating better document structure and readability.
• Advanced filtering capabilities: Users can leverage advanced filtering to quickly locate specific items within their outlines, enhancing productivity and focus.
• Markdown support: For those who prefer Markdown for its simplicity and flexibility, Dynalist fully supports this lightweight markup language, allowing for cleaner and more efficient note-taking.

Despite its powerful features, Dynalist has experienced a slowdown in development, attributed to the founders’ shifted focus towards Obsidian.

This has led to synchronization issues and website loading errors, hinting at a developmental roadmap that may have veered off course.

Nonetheless, for individuals seeking an outlining tool with enhanced organization and customization options, Dynalist remains a compelling option.

Pricing:

Dynalist provides a free version with unlimited items and essential features. For advanced tools like Google Calendar integration, file attachments, version history, and priority support, the Pro version is available at $9.99 per month, appealing to users who need more comprehensive organizational capabilities.

Tana – Second brain

Tana is the new kid on the block, catching the eye of many for its innovative approach to outlining.

Backed by a team of experts from Google and Facebook, Tana seeks to mimic the workings of the human brain, elevating outlining to new heights.

It targets the same user base as Notion but focuses on an outline-based interface.

Although still in early access and invite-only, Tana showcases advanced features such as:

• Advanced querying: Tana introduces sophisticated querying options that allow users to navigate and manage their information with unparalleled precision, making it easy to find exactly what they’re looking for.
• Brain-like organizing: The platform’s design philosophy centers around mirroring the human brain’s way of processing and organizing information, offering a more intuitive and natural way of handling data.
• Outline-based interface: Unlike other productivity tools that may offer outlines as just one of many features, Tana places outlining at the core of its user experience, ensuring that users can enjoy a deeply hierarchical and flexible method of organizing their thoughts and projects.

For those seeking a Notion alternative with a strong outlining foundation, Tana promises to be a game-changer, albeit potentially overkill for users with simpler needs.

Pricing:

Tana offers a 45-day free trial, followed by subscription options: $10 monthly or $100 yearly. Plans for a freemium version and a free student subscription, with some storage limitations, are also in the pipeline, catering to various user needs.

Also read: Tana vs. Notion – Why I’m Rethinking?

Notion – All-in-one workspace

Notion stands out as a comprehensive tool that caters to both personal and business needs.

It’s the backbone of many users’ organizational systems, offering a modular approach to task management, knowledge bases, and more.

Notion’s list modules support various indentations and styles, providing flexibility in how information is displayed.

Despite its strengths, Notion traditionally lacks the bullet indentation lines and zoom capabilities found in dedicated outlining tools like Workflowy and Dynalist.

However, creative workarounds, such as the indentation line hack mentioned in my blog post, can bridge this gap, making Notion a versatile choice for those willing to experiment.

Also, you can use subpages extensively for each section of your page, and subheadings, bullets, and sub-bullets within those subpages.

Adding indentation lines using custom CSS can also enhance your outlining.

Another alternative is to copy mindmap nodes and paste them into Notion as bullets and sub-bullets.

Besides, Notion has a hidden feature that allows you to zoom into a bullet point and see all the sub-bullets within it.

Finally, Notion maintains a separate URL for each bullet list block, similar to how it maintains a URL for every block.

Pricing: Notion’s pricing starts with a free tier suitable for basic individual use, escalating to the Plus plan at $10 per month for enhanced features like increased page history and guest invites.

The Business plan at $18 per month offers extended capabilities tailored for organizations, including bulk exports and single sign-on.

For large enterprises, Notion provides a custom-priced Enterprise plan with advanced security and unlimited page history.

Checkvist

Checkvist is a dream come true for those who thrive on keyboard shortcuts.

Its keyboard-centric design makes outlining and task creation a breeze, perfect for planning your week, outlining blog posts, or jotting down daily tasks.

While Checkvist shines as an outliner, its lack of API or integration with other task management tools like Todoist or Notion may limit its use to strictly outlining purposes.

Pricing:

However, its generous free plan, which allows for unlimited outlines and hierarchical lists, is a significant plus.

The pro plan, at $39 per year, adds perks like 2GB attachments, repeating tasks, task assignments, and Google Calendar sync, making Checkvist a solid choice for those who prioritize speed and efficiency in their outlining process.

Yet to be launched, the Pro Team plan offers centralized data control, group rights, list locking, and priority support for enhanced team collaboration and security at $69/year.

OmniOutliner

OmniOutliner, part of the Omni Group suite, is designed with the Apple ecosystem in mind.

It offers a simple yet powerful tool for organizing ideas and structuring projects.

With its ability to handle various file formats and seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem, OmniOutliner remains a top choice for Mac users looking for a dedicated outlining tool.

Pricing:

Previously available for a one-time fee, OmniOutliner has transitioned to a subscription model, charging $5 monthly.

This move may affect users’ decisions, especially those used to the previous pricing.

MindNode (for Mac)

MindNode, exclusive to Apple devices, provides a slick mind mapping experience that doubles as an outliner.

Its ability to switch between mind map and outline modes makes it incredibly versatile, whether you’re looking for a high-level overview or need to drill down into details.

The integration with other Apple ecosystem apps, like Things and OmniFocus, enhances its utility, making it more than just a mind-mapping tool.

Pricing:

MindNode presents a free version for basic mind mapping and a Plus subscription at $2.49/month or $19.99/year for advanced features like visual tags and team sharing.

The Plus option extends enhanced functionalities like Focus Mode, Outlining mode, Hierarchical Themes, etc. across Mac and iOS, offering value for users needing more than the basics.

While its premium version comes with a cost, the smoothness and integration capabilities make MindNode a top contender for Apple users who value aesthetics and functionality.

XMind

XMind stands out as a cross-platform solution for those seeking a robust mind-mapping tool with outlining capabilities.

While XMind offers extensive features and an outliner mode, its complexity may be daunting for users seeking simplicity.

Nonetheless, for those willing to navigate its extensive feature set, XMind offers unparalleled flexibility and depth.

Pricing:

Its generous free version is attractive, but the real power lies in XMind Pro, available on the web for $59 per year. XMind Pro elevates your experience with professional-grade features such as audio notes, Gantt charts, and enhanced presentation capabilities.

GitMind

GitMind, a relatively new player in the outlining and mind-mapping arena, brings a fresh perspective with its AI capabilities.

GitMind’s outline mode and AI assistant set it apart, offering a unique blend of traditional outlining with modern AI enhancements.

While its pricing is competitive, GitMind’s innovative approach may appeal to those looking for a cutting-edge tool for brainstorming and outlining.

Pricing:

The free version is surprisingly feature-rich, allowing real-time collaboration and a variety of themes and templates.

On the other hand, the Annual plan, at $5.75 per month, offers unlimited mind maps, extensive image uploads, advanced chat features, and priority support.

Logseq

Logseq emerges as a formidable player in the realm of personal knowledge management (PKM), offering an open-source alternative.

Its outline-based approach, combined with features like backlinks, block references, and a task management system, positions it as a versatile tool for managing knowledge and tasks alike.

However, its offline nature means users must handle backups and synchronization manually, often through Google Drive or Dropbox, which might detract from its appeal to those seeking seamless cloud integration.

Despite this, for users who prioritize privacy and customization, Logseq offers a powerful, flexible platform for organizing their digital lives.

Pricing:

Free

RemNote

RemNote caters to students and academics with its comprehensive suite of features for note-taking, knowledge management, and study aids.

It excels in creating a seamless integration between outlining and studying, with capabilities for unlimited hierarchy in bullet points, making it ideal for detailed outlines.

Its standout features, such as PDF annotations and spaced repetition, are tailored for academic success, particularly in fields requiring heavy memorization.

While it may be overkill for those seeking a simple outliner, RemNote’s robust mobile and desktop apps make it a go-to choice for students looking to combine note-taking with effective study practices.

Pricing:

RemNote’s Free plan is ideal for beginners, offering basic features like unlimited notes and limited PDF annotations.

For advanced users, the Pro plan ($10/month) and Life-Long Learner plan ($395 one-time) expand capabilities with unlimited annotations, collaborations, templates, etc.

UV Outliner

UV Outliner is a free Windows-based application. However, the website, app interface, and features are minimal and feel outdated in terms of UX and UI compared to modern standards.

Nevertheless, if you prefer a powerful minimalist app for efficiently managing tasks, UV Outliner can be a useful outlining tool for you.

Pricing:

Free

Org Mode in Emacs

For the tech-savvy and those already embedded in the Emacs ecosystem, Org Mode offers an unparalleled level of customization and control over their outlining and note-taking processes.

Enabling Org Mode in Emacs transforms the editor into a powerful tool for managing tasks, notes, and projects with ease.

Its plain text format ensures the portability and longevity of data, while the extensive community-driven packages extend its functionality far beyond simple outlining.

To activate Org Mode, users typically add a few lines to their Emacs configuration file, unlocking a world of productivity tools at their fingertips.

Ideal for developers, researchers, and anyone comfortable with Emacs, Org Mode represents the epitome of customizable, keyboard-centric outlining.

Pricing: Free

Conclusion

Each of these tools offers unique features and approaches to outlining, catering to a wide range of needs and preferences.

Whether you’re looking for a simple app to jot down ideas, a powerful project management tool, or a comprehensive system for managing your knowledge, there’s an outliner app out there for you.

Remember, the best tool is the one that fits seamlessly into your workflow, enhancing your productivity without adding unnecessary complexity.