Cloud Outliner vs Workflowy

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

Workflowy

• People who think in outlines and nested lists
• Keeping notes, to-dos and plans in one place
• College faculty and their students, who can get Pro free
• Teams working from a shared outline

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.

Workflowy

• The free Basic plan allows 100 new nodes per month and 100 MB of file uploads; past the limit you are prompted to subscribe.
• Content is organized as one bullet outline, with no separate documents or folders.
• Workflowy describes its API as basic, supporting CRUD operations.
• The optional AI features send prompts and selected content to third-party model providers, named as OpenAI and Anthropic.

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.

Workflowy

Infinitely nested outline

Everything is a bullet that can be indented under another, so the same list works as notes, folders, to-dos and documents without separate files.

Boards, tables and node types

A bullet can be turned into a to-do, heading, paragraph, code block or quote, and a list can be laid out as a kanban-style Board or as a Table.

Tags, dates, links and mirrors

Tags, mentions and date tags filter the outline, links between bullets create backlinks, and mirrors show the same bullet in several places.

Sharing and collaboration

Notes and resources can be shared for real-time collaboration, with comments on bullets and an instant presentation view.

Calendar and quick capture

A Calendar and Timeline lay out dated items, while Quick Add, mobile sharing and Email to Workflowy capture ideas from outside the app.

AI, API and integrations

Optional AI features generate, edit and summarize content. A basic API, Zapier and a Readwise sync connect Workflowy to other apps.

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.

Workflowy

• BasicFree

  All features, with 100 nodes per month and 100 MB of file uploads.

• Pro$6.99

  per month, billed annually ($8.99 billed monthly)

  All features with unlimited nodes and unlimited uploads.

• Teams$6.99

  per user / month, paid yearly

  Unlimited nodes and file uploads for every member, one-on-one team setup and auto-backup to Dropbox.

Cloud Outliner

No public discounts listed.

Workflowy

• Annual discount

  About 22% lower price with annual billing

  Pro is $6.99 per month when billed annually against $8.99 per month on monthly billing.

• Education

  Free Pro for faculty and their students

  College and university faculty can apply for free Pro for life and invite their students, who get Pro at no cost for the duration of their studies.

• Nonprofit

  50% non-profit discount on Pro

  The pricing FAQ lists a 50% non-profit discount on Pro subscriptions, arranged by emailing Workflowy.