Zavala

Free plan iPhoneMac

What Zavala is

Zavala is a free, open-source outliner for arranging information into related hierarchical rows. Its outlines can be used for notes, task lists, brainstorming, project planning, project management, and documentation. Users can edit offline and sync through iCloud, which requires iCloud Drive to be set up; sharing through iCloud enables real-time collaboration with other Zavala users. The app imports and exports OPML, Markdown, and HTML, can print outlines, and also lists PDF as an export format. A share extension downloads a web page and attempts to convert it into an editable outline, though the result depends on the page's 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, while 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. The maker says it is free forever under the MIT license.

Who it suits

Zavala suits Apple-platform users who want to organize notes, plans, tasks, or documentation in hierarchical outlines. It is also suited to people who need offline editing, iCloud sharing, or import and export options.

What it does well

Free forever and open source under MIT license
Supports offline editing and iCloud sync
Shared outlines support real-time collaboration
Imports and exports OPML, Markdown, and HTML
Includes Apple Shortcuts actions

What to know first

Requires iOS, iPadOS, or macOS 26 or later
iCloud Drive setup is required for sync
Titles, tags, and some metadata are not encrypted

Limits

Zavala is for Apple platforms, and the current App Store listing requires macOS 26, iOS 26, or iPadOS 26 or later. iCloud Drive must be set up to use sync.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Free	Free forever · Mac, iPhone, and iPad · Requires Apple platforms	Free

As zavala.vincode.io lists them, read 4 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Visit https://zavala.vincode.io/.
Install Zavala on a Mac, iPhone, or iPad that meets the listed operating system requirements.
Create an outline using related hierarchical rows.
Set up iCloud Drive if you want to sync outlines.
Share an outline through iCloud to collaborate with other Zavala users.

Verdict

Zavala combines hierarchical outlining with offline editing, iCloud collaboration, and several import and export formats. Its Apple platform and operating-system requirements, plus the limits of locked-outline encryption, are worth checking first.

Questions

How much does Zavala cost?

Zavala is free forever. Its listed Free plan costs nothing.

Is Zavala open source?

Yes. The maker says Zavala is open source under the MIT license.

Which devices can run Zavala?

Zavala is available for macOS, iOS, and iPadOS. The current App Store listing requires macOS 26, iOS 26, or iPadOS 26 or later.

Can I use Zavala offline or sync outlines?

Zavala supports offline editing. It syncs through iCloud, which requires iCloud Drive to be set up.

Can people collaborate on Zavala outlines?

Users can share outlines through iCloud and collaborate in real time with other Zavala users.

Which file formats can Zavala export?

Zavala exports PDF, HTML, Markdown, and OPML. It also imports OPML, Markdown, and HTML files and can print outlines.

Facts from Zavala's own pages

Automation: Zavala supports Apple Shortcuts actions for creating, finding, editing, exporting, and manipulating outlines and rows. · zavala.vincode.io, 4 Oct 2026
Collaboration: Users can share outlines through iCloud to collaborate in real time with other Zavala users. · zavala.vincode.io, 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, 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, 4 Oct 2026
Free and open source: The maker says Zavala is free forever and open source under the MIT license. · zavala.vincode.io, 4 Oct 2026
Import and export: Zavala imports and exports OPML, Markdown, and HTML files and can print outlines. · zavala.vincode.io, 4 Oct 2026
Maker: The About page identifies Maurice Parker as Zavala's author. · zavala.vincode.io, 4 Oct 2026
Outlining: Outlines can be used for note taking, task lists, brainstorming, project planning, project management, and documentation. · zavala.vincode.io, 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, 4 Oct 2026
Product: Zavala is a simple outliner for structuring information into related hierarchical rows. · zavala.vincode.io, 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, 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, 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, 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, 4 Oct 2026

Where Zavala stands on Freedom251

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