Cloud Outliner vs OmniOutliner

Cloud Outliner

• Planning projects and lists as nested outlines on Apple devices
• Checklists that are filtered by checked and unchecked items
• Setapp members, since the Mac app is in the catalog

OmniOutliner

• Writers, students and planners who organize their thinking as outlines
• People who work across a Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Vision Pro
• Buyers who prefer a one-time license to a subscription

Cloud Outliner

• Apple only: there are apps for iPhone, iPad and Mac, and no Windows, Android or web version.
• The iOS and Mac apps are separate downloads with separate Pro upgrades ($4.99 and $9.99), and each listing says sync with the other platform needs Pro there.
• The App Store listings show the upgrade prices without a billing period and do not list what the free version lacks.
• The vendor's product page still describes Cloud Outliner 2 with Evernote sync, which the current App Store feature lists do not mention.

OmniOutliner

• It runs on Apple platforms only: the site lists Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Vision Pro, with no Windows, Android or web version.
• Version 6 requires macOS 15, iOS or iPadOS 26, or visionOS 26; older systems need a previous version from the downloads archive.
• Columns, saved filters, style customization, audio recording and automation need Pro, at $99.99 once or $49.99 a year.
• A perpetual license covers 6.x updates only; later major versions are a paid upgrade, offered at a discount.

Cloud Outliner

Rich-text outline editor

Rows can be dragged to reorder, indented, multi-selected, collapsed and expanded, with optional checkboxes, automatic numbering and a note attached to any row.

Text styling and filters

Text size, color and style can be changed to highlight important rows, and filters show only the checked or only the unchecked items.

Document manager with protection

Outlines live in a multi-level document manager with color tags, password protection, custom templates and a duplicate command.

Sync across Apple devices

Outlines sync between iPhone, iPad and Mac through iCloud, and the vendor's site also lists sync with Evernote. Each store listing says sync with the other platform needs Pro there.

Export and sharing

Outlines export to PDF, OPML and plain text, plus HTML on the Mac, and OPML files can be imported. They can also be printed or sent by email or messenger.

Gestures and keyboard shortcuts

On iPhone and iPad a swipe changes a row's indentation and wireless keyboards get shortcuts. The Mac app has customizable shortcuts, autosave and a full-screen mode.

OmniOutliner

Outlines of unlimited depth

Rows nest to any level, expand and collapse, and reorder by drag and drop. Optional status checkboxes turn an outline into a checklist.

Row notes and attachments

Each row can carry a note of any length, resizable inline images and attached reference files. Pro can also record audio into a document.

Columns and saved filters

Pro documents can hold several columns for pop-up lists, checkboxes, numbers, dates or durations, and filters saved on text, checkbox status or column value.

Templates, themes and styles

Built-in templates and themes adapt to Dark Mode automatically. Pro adds structural and named styles and row numbering for control over appearance.

Import and export

Imports OPML, plain text and RTF, and exports CSV, HTML, OPML, plain text, RTF, Word and PowerPoint, plus Excel with Pro. An OPML mode edits OPML files directly.

Omni Automation and AppleScript

Pro runs cross-platform Omni Automation plug-ins, which can use Apple Intelligence on supported devices, and supports AppleScript on the Mac.

Cloud Outliner

• Free download$0

  The iPhone, iPad and Mac apps without the Pro upgrade. The store listings do not spell out the free version's limits.

• Unlock Pro Features (iOS)$4.99

  in-app purchase; billing period not shown

  The Pro upgrade for the iPhone and iPad app on the US App Store. The listing says sync with a Mac requires Cloud Outliner Pro for macOS, sold separately.

• Upgrade to Pro (Mac)$9.99

  in-app purchase; billing period not shown

  The Pro upgrade for the Mac app on the US Mac App Store. The listing says sync with iOS devices requires Cloud Outliner Pro for iOS, sold separately.

• Setapp$14.99

  per month, through a Setapp membership

  The Mac app as part of the Setapp catalog. Setapp's listing prices membership from $14.99 a month, free for 7 days.

OmniOutliner

• v6 Essentials License$24.99

  one-time purchase, includes all 6.x updates

  Core outlining on Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Vision Pro: unlimited levels, checkboxes, row notes, attachments, themes, keyword filtering and Omni Links.

• Annual Subscription$49.99

  per year, renewing automatically

  The latest Pro version on all four Apple platforms, with no charge for major version upgrades while subscribed.

• v6 Pro License$99.99

  one-time purchase, includes all 6.x updates

  Adds columns, saved filters, style customization, audio recording, the section list, batch find and Omni Automation plug-ins.

Cloud Outliner

No public discounts listed.

OmniOutliner

• Education

  Education licenses at $14.99 and $59.99

  Students, faculty and staff of accredited, degree-granting institutions can buy OmniOutliner 6 Essentials for $14.99 or Pro for $59.99 in Omni's education store. Subscriptions are excluded.

• Other savings

  Quantity discount of up to 30%

  Each perpetual license beyond the first in the same order takes a further 5% off the whole order, up to 30%. Subscriptions do not qualify.

• Other savings

  Upgrade discounts for existing owners

  Owners of versions 1 to 5 can upgrade to version 6 at about half price: the US App Store lists the upgrade at $12.49 for Essentials and $49.99 for Pro.