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OmniOutliner alternatives · Note-Taking

Open-source alternatives to OmniOutliner

OmniOutliner is not described as open source on its own site. 50 of the 146 other note-taking apps in this directory are open source, according to their own sites.

OmniOutliner is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $24.99 one-time license for version 6 (Essentials). All of them are free or have a free plan.

50 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from

The 12 closest to OmniOutliner

  1. Zavala

    Free open-source outliner for Mac, iPhone and iPad

    • Zavala is free. OmniOutliner starts at $24.99 one-time license for version 6 (Essentials).
    • Zavala has a free plan. OmniOutliner does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Zavala is open source, according to its own site.
    • OmniOutliner can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    Zavala vs OmniOutlinerZavala pricing and details

  2. TreeSheets

    Open-source hierarchical spreadsheet for free-form notes and data

    • TreeSheets is free. OmniOutliner starts at $24.99 one-time license for version 6 (Essentials).
    • TreeSheets has a free plan. OmniOutliner does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only TreeSheets lists Windows and Linux apps.
    • Only OmniOutliner lists an iOS app.
    TreeSheets vs OmniOutlinerTreeSheets pricing and details

  3. FSNotes

    Open-source Markdown notes app for Mac and iPhone

    • FSNotes starts at $4.99 one-time for iPhone and iPad; $8.99 one-time for Mac. OmniOutliner starts at $24.99 one-time license for version 6 (Essentials).
    • FSNotes has a free plan. OmniOutliner does not, though it has a free trial.
    • FSNotes is open source, according to its own site.
    • FSNotes also covers Markdown.
    FSNotes pricing and details

  4. Linwood Butterfly

    Open-source handwriting and sketching app with an infinite canvas

    • Linwood Butterfly is free. OmniOutliner starts at $24.99 one-time license for version 6 (Essentials).
    • Linwood Butterfly has a free plan. OmniOutliner does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Linwood Butterfly lists a web app.
    • Only Linwood Butterfly lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    Linwood Butterfly pricing and details

  5. MiaoYan

    Native Mac Markdown notes app with a split editor and preview

    • MiaoYan starts at $14.99 one-time purchase (App Store edition). OmniOutliner starts at $24.99 one-time license for version 6 (Essentials).
    • MiaoYan has a free plan. OmniOutliner does not, though it has a free trial.
    • MiaoYan is open source, according to its own site.
    • MiaoYan also covers Markdown, linked notes and presentations.
    MiaoYan pricing and details

  6. VNote

    Free desktop Markdown note-taking app with plain-file notebooks

    • VNote is free. OmniOutliner starts at $24.99 one-time license for version 6 (Essentials).
    • VNote has a free plan. OmniOutliner does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only VNote lists Windows and Linux apps.
    • Only OmniOutliner lists an iOS app.
    VNote pricing and details

  7. Logseq

    Open-source outliner for linked notes stored as local files

    • Logseq starts at $5 per month for Open Collective backers, which unlocks Logseq Sync. OmniOutliner starts at $24.99 one-time license for version 6 (Essentials).
    • Logseq has a free plan. OmniOutliner does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Logseq lists a web app.
    • Only Logseq lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    Logseq pricing and details

  8. Reflect

    Open-source daily notes app with backlinks and local Markdown

    • Reflect starts at $9.99 per month, or $99 per year, for the iPhone and iPad app. OmniOutliner starts at $24.99 one-time license for version 6 (Essentials).
    • Reflect has a free plan. OmniOutliner does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Reflect lists a browser extension.
    • Reflect is open source, according to its own site.
    Reflect pricing and details

  9. SiYuan

    Open-source, local-first notes built on linked content blocks

    • SiYuan starts at $64 one-time payment (PRO Features). OmniOutliner starts at $24.99 one-time license for version 6 (Essentials).
    • SiYuan has a free plan. OmniOutliner does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only SiYuan lists a web app.
    • Only SiYuan lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    SiYuan pricing and details

  10. Tolaria

    Free, open-source desktop app for Markdown knowledge bases

    • Tolaria is free. OmniOutliner starts at $24.99 one-time license for version 6 (Essentials).
    • Tolaria has a free plan. OmniOutliner does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Tolaria lists Windows and Linux apps.
    • Only OmniOutliner lists an iOS app.
    Tolaria pricing and details

  11. Tangent Notes

    Open-source Markdown notes app that maps the path between notes

    • Tangent Notes is free. OmniOutliner starts at $24.99 one-time license for version 6 (Essentials).
    • Tangent Notes has a free plan. OmniOutliner does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Tangent Notes lists Windows and Linux apps.
    • Only OmniOutliner lists an iOS app.
    Tangent Notes pricing and details

  12. Beaver Notes

    Open-source, local-first Markdown notes app for desktop

    • Beaver Notes is free. OmniOutliner starts at $24.99 one-time license for version 6 (Essentials).
    • Beaver Notes has a free plan. OmniOutliner does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Beaver Notes lists Windows and Linux apps.
    • Only OmniOutliner lists an iOS app.
    Beaver Notes pricing and details

38 more that are open source

All 50 in one table

Common questions

Is there an open-source alternative to OmniOutliner?

Yes. Zavala, TreeSheets, FSNotes, Linwood Butterfly, MiaoYan, VNote, Logseq, Reflect and 42 more are open source, according to their own sites.

Is OmniOutliner open source?

OmniOutliner is not described as open source on its own site. The listing was checked on Oct 6, 2026 against the pages it cites.

When was this checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 4, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices and plans without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

This page is built from the listings. A tool is here because its listing says so, and the order is how close each is to OmniOutliner: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.