Workflowy vs Zavala

Workflowy9.0Visit Zavala8.4Visit

Higher score Workflowy #3 in Outliner Software 9.0/10 Free plan · 7-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Workflowy

vs

Zavala #7 in Outliner Software 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Zavala

• Workflowy fits best

  Mature general-purpose outlining

• Zavala fits best

  Apple users wanting a free outliner

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Side by side

Feature	Workflowy 9.0/10 Visit ↗	Zavala 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.0	8.4
Ranking	#3 in Outliner Software	#7 in Outliner Software
Best for	Mature general-purpose outlining	Apple users wanting a free outliner
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free
Starting price	$6.99/mo	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	7 days	—
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension	Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension	macOS, iOS
Support	Email, Community, Docs	Community, Docs
Integrations	6 integrations	2 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market	Solo, Small business
Features Workflowy 0/4 · Zavala 4/4
Offline access	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Markdown support	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Real-time collaboration	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Backlinks	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Specs
App platforms	Not checked yet	macOS, iOS, iPadOS
Export formats	Not checked yet	PDF, HTML, Markdown, OPML
Navigation modes	Not checked yet	focus, expand/collapse, search, filtering
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	Offline editing with iCloud sync across Apple devices Real-time collaboration through shared iCloud outlines Exports to PDF, HTML, Markdown, and OPML
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	Limited to macOS, iOS, and iPadOS iCloud features require iCloud Drive Apple Shortcuts and iCloud shape its ecosystem fit
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 →	Zavala is an open-source outliner for macOS, iPhone, and iPad, built around hierarchical rows with nested structure. It suits people who want to organize notes, tasks, brainstorming, project plans, documentation, or structured writing in… Read the review →

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

• Zavala — where it wins

  • Offline editing with iCloud sync across Apple devices
  • Real-time collaboration through shared iCloud outlines
  • Exports to PDF, HTML, Markdown, and OPML

  Where it doesn't

  • Limited to macOS, iOS, and iPadOS
  • iCloud features require iCloud Drive
  • Apple Shortcuts and iCloud shape its ecosystem fit

• Workflowy9.0/10 · Free plan · 7-day trial

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

  Visit WorkflowyFull verdict →
• Zavala8.4/10 · Free plan

  A capable offline outliner for Apple users who want syncing, collaboration, and rich exports.

  Visit ZavalaFull verdict →