Tine

Tine is a local-first outliner for people who want their notes in Markdown files and their workspace organized around an outline. It is best suited to Logseq users and other people comfortable managing their own files and sync. The absence of built-in sync is a meaningful trade-off for anyone who expects their app to coordinate devices for them.

Overview

Tine reads and writes Logseq’s on-disk format, so the same graph can be opened in either app without an import or export step. That makes Tine a useful alternative workspace for an existing Logseq graph, while its local-file approach also suits people who want to keep notes outside a hosted account. It is less convenient for users who want a single service to manage both their notes and cross-device sync.

The app combines outlining with filtered search, structured Sheets, and static-site publishing. Its free, open-source plan removes a subscription decision, but users still need to choose how to synchronize files across devices.

Key features

Outlining and workspace

Tine supports Markdown, backlinks, folding, filtering, search, tabs, and focus mode. Split panes can keep separate tabs and histories, and the layout is retained after a restart. These controls are useful for research or planning that involves moving among several pages; someone who only needs a simple linear list may not need the additional workspace flexibility.

Search and Sheets

Search results can be narrowed with filters and presented as a list, table, or board. A visual query editor stays synchronized with the query text, which helps people who want to refine a search and inspect the resulting structure in more than one way.

Sheets turn bullets and their children into grids, typed-field tables, or boards, with formulas, filters, aggregates, grouping, and CSV or TSV import. This gives structured data a place within an outline, rather than limiting the app to nested notes. It is a stronger fit for users who want to organize and examine information in those formats than for those seeking only basic note capture.

Conflict handling and publishing

Tine has no built-in sync; its site points users to services such as Syncthing, Dropbox, or git. When page versions conflict, Concord compares them block by block and lets users keep either version, keep both, or merge them. That provides a way to resolve edits, but it does not remove the need to set up and maintain a separate sync service.

Graph pages can be exported as a static site with search, tabs, split view, and navigation, without requiring a server. This is useful for people who want to publish a browsable version of their graph without running a site backend.

Privacy and plugins

Tine says it has no account, advertising, analytics, or tracking, and does not upload graph or note contents to its servers. Plugins run in a capability-limited sandbox rather than receiving unrestricted access to the network, native platform, or filesystem. The plugin API is experimental, however, and Tine plugins are not compatible with Logseq’s or Obsidian’s plugin APIs; users relying on those ecosystems should not assume their extensions will carry over.

Pricing

Tine’s Free plan costs nothing and is open source under AGPL-3.0. It suits users who want the app without a paid tier or subscription. That price does not include built-in sync: users who need multiple devices to share a graph must bring a separate sync service.

Platforms

Tine supports Linux, macOS, Windows, and Android, with offline access. Android builds are available through F-Droid or GitHub. On iPhone and iPad, access is through a public TestFlight beta, with no App Store listing yet, so iOS users should be comfortable with that route. Questions and ideas go through GitHub Discussions; bugs and feature requests go through GitHub Issues.

Who it's for

Tine is a strong fit for Logseq users who want to work with the same local graph in another app, and for Markdown outliner users who value queries, data-oriented Sheets, or static publishing. Its privacy stance and open-source plan may also appeal to people who prefer local files and do not want to create an account.

Look elsewhere if built-in sync is essential, if you depend on plugins from Logseq or Obsidian, or if you need an iOS app from the App Store rather than a TestFlight beta.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Reads and writes Logseq’s file format, so existing graphs can be shared between the apps without conversion.
• Pros: Search views and Sheets offer filters, boards, tables, formulas, and data import within an outliner.
• Pros: Local files, offline access, and a capability-limited plugin sandbox suit users who prioritize control over their notes.
• Cons: No built-in sync means users must choose and maintain a separate service.
• Cons: The experimental plugin API is incompatible with Logseq’s and Obsidian’s plugin APIs.
• Cons: iPhone and iPad access is currently a public TestFlight beta, not an App Store release.

Alternatives

Logseq is the natural alternative for people who want to stay with the format Tine supports; its free plan is for personal use, and a Sync Backer plan offers beta sync access for $5 a month as a recurring monthly donation.

Dynalist is worth considering if a broader platform mix and a freemium service better fit your needs. Its free plan includes unlimited items and documents, with five bookmarks and community support.

Workflowy may suit readers who prefer its free Basic plan, which includes 100 nodes per month, 100mb file uploads, and all features.

Indenta is another free outliner available across Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows.

Legend offers a free plan with 10 panes, one plugin sync account, and unlimited documents and items; consider it if those limits and its freemium model match your workflow.

outl is a free alternative with no paid tier and an MIT license.

Checkvist is an alternative whose free plan includes unlimited hierarchical lists and sharing and collaboration.

CrossLine is another free outliner for Linux, macOS, and Windows.

Browse more options in Outliner Software.

Verdict

Choose Tine if you want a free, local Markdown outliner that can work directly with a Logseq graph and gives you tools for queries, structured Sheets, and static publishing. Its main reason to choose something else is practical: Tine leaves sync to you, and its iOS access remains a TestFlight beta.