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Zavala
What it is
Zavala is a free, open-source outliner for arranging information in related hierarchical rows. Its outlines can support note taking, task lists, brainstorming, project planning, project management and documentation. Users can edit offline and sync through iCloud, which requires iCloud Drive setup; outlines can also be shared through iCloud for real-time collaboration with other Zavala users. The app imports and exports OPML, Markdown and HTML, can print outlines, and lists PDF among its export formats. A share extension downloads a web page and attempts to convert it into an editable outline, with results depending on the page structure. Apple Shortcuts actions support creating, finding, editing, exporting and manipulating outlines and rows. Locked outlines encrypt rows and images on disk and during iCloud sync, but titles, tags and some metadata are not encrypted. Zavala is for Apple platforms, and its current listing requires iOS 26 or later, iPadOS 26 or later, and macOS 26 or later. It is free forever under the MIT license.
For and against
For
- Free forever and open source under MIT
- Supports offline editing
- Imports and exports OPML, Markdown and HTML
- Shared outlines support real-time collaboration
Against
- Requires iOS, iPadOS or macOS 26 or later
- iCloud sync requires iCloud Drive setup
- Locked outlines leave titles and some metadata unencrypted
The verdict
Zavala offers a focused way to create and share structured outlines, with offline editing, file interchange and Shortcuts actions. Check the Apple OS requirements and the limits of locked-outline encryption before using it for sensitive material.
Who it suits
Zavala suits Apple-platform users who want to organize notes, tasks, plans or documentation in hierarchical outlines. It also supports offline editing and shared outlines for collaboration with other Zavala users.
Plans and prices
Free
Mac, iPhone, and iPad · Requires Apple platforms
Read 4 Oct 2026 · zavala.vincode.io
On the record
- Automation
- Zavala supports Apple Shortcuts actions for creating, finding, editing, exporting, and manipulating outlines and rows.zavala.vincode.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Collaboration
- Users can share outlines through iCloud to collaborate in real time with other Zavala users.zavala.vincode.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Current OS requirements
- The App Store listing requires iOS 26 or later, iPadOS 26 or later, and macOS 26 or later.apps.apple.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Data collection
- The App Store privacy disclosure says the developer does not collect data from the app; Apple notes this disclosure is developer-provided and unverified by Apple.apps.apple.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Free and open source
- The maker says Zavala is free forever and open source under the MIT license.zavala.vincode.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Import and export
- Zavala imports and exports OPML, Markdown, and HTML files and can print outlines.zavala.vincode.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Maker
- The About page identifies Maurice Parker as Zavala's author.zavala.vincode.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Outlining
- Outlines can be used for note taking, task lists, brainstorming, project planning, project management, and documentation.zavala.vincode.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The maker's privacy policy says data collected is not shared with other entities except the third-party services it describes and legally required disclosures.vincode.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Product
- Zavala is a simple outliner for structuring information into related hierarchical rows.zavala.vincode.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Security
- Locked outlines encrypt their rows and images on disk and during iCloud sync using AES-GCM with a 256-bit key; titles, tags, and some metadata are not encrypted.zavala.vincode.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maker asks users to report bugs through Zavala's Provide Feedback option and says support interactions are retained for reference.vincode.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Sync and offline
- Zavala syncs outlines through iCloud and supports offline editing; iCloud Drive must be set up to use sync.zavala.vincode.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Web clipper
- The share extension sends a web page to Zavala, which downloads it and attempts to convert it into an editable outline; results depend on the page structure.zavala.vincode.io · read 4 Oct 2026
