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Head-to-head · Outliner Software

Workflowy vs outl

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Workflowy #3 in Outliner Software 9.0/10 Free plan · 7-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Workflowy
outl #8 in Outliner Software 8.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit outl

Workflowy leads on 0 checks, outl on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreWorkflowy · 9.0/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly Workflowy
  • Most featuresoutl · 3 of 4

Workflowy scores higher on our rubric for outliner software: 9.0 against 8.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #8.

Workflowy is the better fit for mature general-purpose outlining. outl is the better fit for free private Markdown outliners.

  • Workflowy fits best

    Mature general-purpose outlining

  • outl fits best

    Free private Markdown outliners

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Side by side

Feature Workflowy 9.0/10 Visit ↗ outl 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.3
Ranking #3 in Outliner Software #8 in Outliner Software
Best for Mature general-purpose outlining Free private Markdown outliners
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price $6.99/mo Free
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 7 days —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support Email, Community, Docs Community, Docs
Integrations 6 integrations 3 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market Solo, Small business
Features Workflowy 0/4 · outl 3/4
Offline access Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Markdown support Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Real-time collaboration Not checked yet —
Backlinks Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
App platforms Not checked yet macOS, Linux, Windows, iOS, Android
Export formats Not checked yet Markdown, JSON, Hugo
Navigation modes Not checked yet Normal, Insert, Visual, collapse/fold, workspace search, fuzzy switcher, command palette
Our review
Pros
  • Nested outlining with search, tags, filters, mirrors, and templates
  • Node-level sharing with view, edit, and full-access permissions
  • Web, desktop, mobile, browser, API, export, and AI support
  • Free, MIT-licensed, and requires no account
  • Encrypted peer-to-peer sync across desktop and mobile platforms
  • Imports, exports, backlinks, and MCP connections for AI tools
Cons
  • Basic limits users to 100 nodes per month
  • Basic includes 100mb of file uploads
  • A single nested-document model may not suit every workflow
  • Pre-1.0 software with several beta clients
  • Windows desktop app is still in progress
  • No collaboration features
Our verdict

Workflowy is a note-taking and outlining application built around a single nested document. It is designed for people who organize notes, tasks, ideas, and plans as indented bullets, while also supporting teams that need node-level sharing…

Read the review →

outl is a local-first outliner for people who organize notes as nested, movable blocks and want Markdown files stored on their own devices. It supports offline editing across macOS, Linux, Windows, iOS, and Android, with a terminal…

Read the review →
  1. WorkflowyOutliner Software 9.0Free plan · 7-day trial
  2. outlOutliner Software 8.3Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Workflowy — where it wins

    • Nested outlining with search, tags, filters, mirrors, and templates
    • Node-level sharing with view, edit, and full-access permissions
    • Web, desktop, mobile, browser, API, export, and AI support

    Where it doesn't

    • Basic limits users to 100 nodes per month
    • Basic includes 100mb of file uploads
    • A single nested-document model may not suit every workflow

  • outl — where it wins

    • Free, MIT-licensed, and requires no account
    • Encrypted peer-to-peer sync across desktop and mobile platforms
    • Imports, exports, backlinks, and MCP connections for AI tools

    Where it doesn't

    • Pre-1.0 software with several beta clients
    • Windows desktop app is still in progress
    • No collaboration features
  • Workflowy9.0/10 · Free plan · 7-day trial

    A mature outliner with broad platform coverage, sharing, exports, integrations, and AI tools.

    Visit WorkflowyFull verdict →
  • outl8.3/10 · Free plan

    A free, private Markdown outliner with encrypted sync, backlinks, and AI-tool connections.

    Visit outlFull verdict →

More comparisons

All outliner software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update