Best Outlining Software in 2026
Updated
In short: Checkvist is ranked #1 of 22 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Legend and Logseq. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Legend. The lowest first paid tier on this page is Gingko Writer at $0.81/mo.
Outlining software gives you ways to capture ideas in a structure you can revisit and develop. Compared on import and export formats, Markdown support, and templates, these entries also show whether desktop apps, mobile apps, and real-time collaboration are available. Checkvist, Workflowy, and Bulletlist are among the options shown. Consider which devices you use to work through ideas and whether you need to share an outline as it changes. Free-plan availability and paid-from pricing help frame the cost comparison. The formats and features that matter most will depend on how you organize, revise, and reuse your notes.
22 outlining software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
Recognised 40% · Phone app 26% · Documented 20% · Free plan 14% of the score
- 1 Checkvist iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.9$3.90/mo Markdown support: Yes
- 2 Legend iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.9$5/mo Markdown support: Yes
- 3 Logseq iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.9$5/mo Real-time collaboration: Yes
- 4 Workflowy iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.9$6.99/mo
- 5 Bulletlist iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.8Free Markdown support: YesDesktop apps: mac
- 6 Dynalist iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.8$9.99/mo Markdown support: Yes
- 7 outl iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.8Free Markdown support: Yes
- 8 Zavala iPhone only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.8Free Markdown support: Yes
- 9 Org mode iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.3 Markdown support: Yes
- 10 Cloud Outliner iPhone only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.0
- 11 Orgzly Revived Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.0 Real-time collaboration: NoMarkdown support: NoDesktop apps: none
- 12 Outliner by Alfred Fritz Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.9 Desktop apps: none
- 13 CarbonFin Outliner iPhone only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.6 Desktop apps: mac
- 14 OmniOutliner iPhone only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.4
- 15 Tana No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3$2,030/mo
- 16 Gingko Writer No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.6$0.81/mo Markdown support: Yes
- 17 The Visual Outliner No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Markdown support: YesDesktop apps: windows
- 18 Bike Outliner No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 Markdown support: Yes
- 19 TaskPaper No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2
- 20 TreeLine No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2
- 21 Leo Editor No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.1 Markdown support: Yes
- 22 Oxinot No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 4.9 Markdown support: Yes
Compare all 22 in a table
| # | App | Score | Free plan | From | Free plan | Paid from | Real-time collaboration | Markdown support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Checkvist | 7.9 | Free plan | $3.90/mo | Yes | 3.9 /user/mo | — | Yes |
| 2 | Legend | 7.9 | Free plan | $5/mo | Yes | — | — | Yes |
| 3 | Logseq | 7.9 | Free plan | $5/mo | Yes | — | Yes | — |
| 4 | Workflowy | 7.9 | Free plan | $6.99/mo | Yes | — | — | — |
| 5 | Bulletlist | 7.8 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | — | Yes |
| 6 | Dynalist | 7.8 | Free plan | $9.99/mo | Yes | 7.99 /user/mo | — | Yes |
| 7 | outl | 7.8 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | — | Yes |
| 8 | Zavala | 7.8 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | — | Yes |
| 9 | Org mode | 7.3 | No | — | Yes | — | — | Yes |
| 10 | Cloud Outliner | 7.0 | No | — | Yes | — | — | — |
| 11 | Orgzly Revived | 7.0 | No | — | Yes | — | No | No |
| 12 | Outliner by Alfred Fritz | 6.9 | No | — | Yes | — | — | — |
| 13 | CarbonFin Outliner | 6.6 | No | — | No | — | — | — |
| 14 | OmniOutliner | 6.4 | No | — | No | — | — | — |
| 15 | Tana | 6.3 | Free plan | $2,030/mo | Yes | 30 /user/mo | — | — |
| 16 | Gingko Writer | 5.6 | No | $0.81/mo | No | — | — | Yes |
| 17 | The Visual Outliner | 5.3 | No | — | — | — | — | Yes |
| 18 | Bike Outliner | 5.2 | No | — | Yes | — | — | Yes |
| 19 | TaskPaper | 5.2 | No | — | No | — | — | — |
| 20 | TreeLine | 5.2 | No | — | Yes | — | — | — |
| 21 | Leo Editor | 5.1 | No | — | — | — | — | Yes |
| 22 | Oxinot | 4.9 | No | — | — | — | — | Yes |
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored, and a sponsored row is labelled as paid.
Questions about this list
Which outlining software is ranked first on Samsung Mobile US Press?
Checkvist is ranked #1 of 22 with a score of 7.9. Legend is second and Logseq third.
How many of these have a free plan?
9 of the 22 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, Gingko Writer has the lowest first paid tier we found: $0.81/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked mobile-first: a phone app alongside the web or desktop product, a free tier and the depth of its documentation.