outl
outl: A free, private Markdown outliner with encrypted sync, backlinks, and AI-tool connections. Ranked #8 of 30 in Outliner Software by our editors (8.3/10); pricing: Free plan; best for free private Markdown outliners.
At a glance
- Editor score8.3 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forFree private Markdown outliners
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- App platformsmacOS, Linux, Windows, iOS, Android
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
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
Our verdict on outl
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 interface alongside desktop and mobile clients. Plain Markdown storage keeps notes portable, while sidecar files hold synchronization metadata. The workspace also includes wiki-style links, backlinks, daily journals, templates, search, and a command palette for navigating larger collections.
Its pricing is straightforward: the Free plan costs nothing, is MIT-licensed, and requires no account. There is no paid tier. The feature set includes encrypted peer-to-peer synchronization between a user’s devices, plus imports from Logseq, Roam, and Obsidian. Exports are available in Markdown, JSON, and Hugo formats, giving users several ways to move or publish their notes. The product also supports normal, insert, and visual outline navigation, along with collapse and fold controls, a fuzzy switcher, and workspace-wide search.
AI-tool integration is a notable part of the product’s scope. An MCP server connects the workspace with Claude, Cursor, and ChatGPT, while the core remains focused on private, local-first note organization. The main trade-off is maturity: outl is pre-1.0, several clients are beta builds, and the Windows desktop app is still in progress; Windows currently provides the CLI/TUI. Collaboration is not part of the feature set. Choose outl if free Markdown storage, offline access, encrypted device sync, imports, exports, and AI-tool connections matter more than a mature release or shared workspaces. Those needing collaboration or a completed Windows desktop client should look elsewhere.
Your product? Our editors can test outl in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
outl pricing
outl fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| App platforms | macOS, Linux, Windows, iOS, Android |
| Export formats | Markdown, JSON, Hugo |
| Offline access | Yes |
| Markdown support | Yes |
| Real-time collaboration | No |
| Backlinks | Yes |
| Navigation modes | Normal, Insert, Visual, collapse/fold, workspace search, fuzzy switcher, command palette |
| Deployment | Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Support | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 3 integrations: Claude, Cursor, ChatGPT |
| Pricing | Free plan (source) |
| Website | outl.app |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
outl integrations
outl lists 3 integrations on its own site.
- Claude
- Cursor
- ChatGPT
Alternatives to outl
- CheckvistA flexible collaborative outliner with unlimited nesting, offline access, and low-cost task features.9.4
- DynalistDeep outlining and cross-platform access make Dynalist a strong fit for power users.9.2
- WorkflowyA mature outliner with broad platform coverage, sharing, exports, integrations, and AI tools.9.0
outl vs the competition
Compare outl with any tool side by side →
Also Ranked In
outl is ranked in 2 of our directories.
Used outl? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used outl for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
outl is listed in our Outliner Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/outl/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/outl.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update