I tried Outline (by Gorillized) but found the interface to be about as annoying as OneNote. Do any of you have an outlining favorite that works cross-platform? If there isn't one, I'll probably bite the bullet and try to like Outline. I would like to use this for task and project management (small projects, more like tasks with multiple subtasks) as well as some lists.

I've never understood why Outline calls itself "Outline," because it isn't an outliner. Yes, you can make pages in a hierarchical structure, but that doesn't make it an outliner. The reason I bring this up is that, as you mentioned, it is really more like OneNote. If that's what you're looking for, perhaps try Notability. But if your want an outliner, then Outlinely seems like it would be perfect.

Steve Z

My thoughts exactly on the name "Outline". I did see that what I typed in was supposed to be a "Heading", but that seemed not to be a outline heading.

I'll give Outliney a look, and will fiddle around with Notability (which has become my Apple Pencil app of choice on the iPad).


Stephen Zeoli wrote:

I've never understood why Outline calls itself "Outline," because it
isn't an outliner. Yes, you can make pages in a hierarchical structure,
but that doesn't make it an outliner. The reason I bring this up is
that, as you mentioned, it is really more like OneNote. If that's what
you're looking for, perhaps try Notability. But if your want an
outliner, then Outlinely seems like it would be perfect.

Steve Z

I think Outline has outlived its usefulness. It seemed to start life as a OneNote viewer when OneNote was not available on Mac.

Try Csrbonfin Outlinersoftware . https://carbonfin.com

It's a little long in the tooth, but in addition to being a good iOS app, you can use it from a browser.

There is of course OmniOutliner, which is a little clunky and a little ugly, but quite powerful and works well. One-time price for apps and OmniSync works well.

Outlinely probably comes 2nd. It seems to have copied the user interface elements of Dynalist. Syncing across platforms requires subscription. Never tried it, but if I hadn't bought into OmniOutliner I probably would have tried going with it.

I have Cloud Outliner Pro for Mac/iOS too. It's basic but works well. I don't use it because I really dislike working in the app's Light or Dark modes, and the single, imposed font. If you're okay with the looks it's really not bad for the price.

I tried out TaskPaper/Mac and TaskMator/iOS but it just didn't click for me.

If you want to look at cloud platforms that have iOS (wrapper) apps, look at Dynalist, Workflowy and Checkvist for a more pure outliner experience.

In addition to everything already mentioned, one unconventional option to consider is The Hit List. It's designed as a task management app, but it has some great features for general outlining. The major downside is the lack of good export options coupled with the fact that the app doesn't see much activity these days.

Thanks to all of you for your suggestions. Outlinely will take a bit of getting used to, but I'm giving it a shot. And I'll take a look at the "long in the tooth" one.

I remember trying the "Hit List" years ago, and don't remember why it didn't catch on with users. I haven't heard a peep about it in a long time.

My thoughts on The Hit List too. If they'd only add exporting, it would make a nice outliner.

Lucas wrote:

In addition to everything already mentioned, one unconventional option
to consider is The Hit List. It's designed as a task management app, but
it has some great features for general outlining. The major downside is
the lack of good export options coupled with the fact that the app
doesn't see much activity these days.

I still think Dynalist is the best option for now. Even though the iOS app does not feel as nice as a native app, I find that it is better than outlinely for my needs.

Paul Korm wrote:

I think Outline has outlived its usefulness. It seemed to start life
as a OneNote viewer when OneNote was not available on Mac.

It has one significant use for me - it can read my old Circus Ponies files. Of course, if I got round to getting them intoOutline and then. to a final destination, I could then agree that Outline had outlived its usefulness

DynaList has become my go-to multiplatform outliner. But Outlinely would be second.

I see outlinely hasn't been updated in 7 months. Pretty lame for an app that asks users to pay a subscription to support development.

Luhmann wrote:

I see outlinely hasn't been updated in 7 months. Pretty lame for an app
that asks users to pay a subscription to support development.

You pay a subscription for additional features. If you want sync then subscribe, otherwise just buy the app (or use the iOS app for free) without the subscription. While the iOS app hasn't been updated since the summer, the Mac app was updated last December:

- Dark Themes optimized for Mojave Dark Mode.
- Compability (sic) support for macOS Mojave.
- Support Drag and drop a text selection from other apps.

The app has been only sporadically updated in the last few years, but there was a spurt of activity last summer which allowed for drag-and-drop image attachments finally in iOS, among other things. The app could be a real contender if there was more attention paid to it, but Glam Software appears to be one person who apparently has a day job (or school).

Yes, when Glam Development make a change, it's generally several changes and significantly improves the app. But long term? Who knows.

I disagree. I see the development as mostly dealing with cosmetic changes and upgrades for system compatibility. Long term bugs and UX issues that I've reported multiple times have never been addressed. And yes, I bought a lifetime subscription, but I really can't in good conscience recommend anyone else invest in the app until I see some real substantive improvements.