Best Outlining Software in 2026
Updated
In short: Dynalist 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 helps you organize ideas into structures you can expand and revisit as work develops. Compare import and export formats, Markdown support, and templates, along with real-time collaboration. Desktop and mobile app availability can help you assess where you can work, while free plans and paid-from pricing add cost considerations. Dynalist, Legend, and Logseq begin the ranked entries, followed by Workflowy and outl. Match the listed formats, devices, and collaboration features to the way you capture and develop ideas.
22 outlining software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
9 of the 22 here have a free tier you can use, 0 have open-source code on record, and 0 have full bars: free, open, on most of your devices and documented.
| # | App | Signal | Free tier | Open code | Devices | From | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DynalistWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Android · iPhone · API · Extension | Three bars | — | 6 of 6 | $9.99/mo | 6.8 | |
| 2 | LegendWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Android · iPhone | Three bars | — | 6 of 6 | $5/mo | 6.8 | |
| 3 | LogseqWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Android · iPhone | Three bars | — | 6 of 6 | $5/mo | 6.8 | |
| 4 | WorkflowyWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Android · iPhone · API · Extension | Three bars | — | 6 of 6 | $6.99/mo | 6.8 | |
| 5 | outlWindows · Mac · Linux · Android · iPhone · Self-hosted · API | Three bars | — | 5 of 6 | Free | 6.7 | |
| 6 | BulletlistWeb · Mac · Android · iPhone | Three bars | — | 4 of 6 | Free | 6.6 | |
| 7 | CheckvistWeb · Android · iPhone · API · Extension | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | $3.90/mo | 6.6 | |
| 8 | Org modeWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Android · iPhone | Two bars | — | — | 6 of 6 | — | 5.8 |
| 9 | TanaWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux | Two bars | — | 4 of 6 | $2,030/mo | 5.4 | |
| 10 | Cloud OutlinerMac · iPhone | One bar | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 11 | Gingko WriterWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux | Two bars | — | — | 4 of 6 | $0.81/mo | 5.3 |
| 12 | Orgzly RevivedAndroid | One bar | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 13 | Leo EditorWindows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 14 | Outliner by Alfred FritzAndroid | One bar | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 15 | OxinotWindows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 16 | The Visual OutlinerWindows | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 17 | TreeLineWindows · Linux | No signal | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 18 | ZavalaMac · iPhone | One bar | — | 2 of 6 | Free | 5.2 | |
| 19 | Bike OutlinerMac | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 20 | CarbonFin OutlinerWeb · Mac · iPhone | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 4.9 |
| 21 | TaskPaperMac | One bar | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 4.9 |
| 22 | OmniOutlinerMac · iPhone | No signal | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 4.8 |
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which outlining software is ranked first on Freedom251?
Dynalist is ranked #1 of 22 with a score of 6.8. 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 free-and-open first: a usable free tier and open-source code, then the platforms it runs on and its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.