The Cloud Outliner Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Cloud Outliner in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Cloud Outliner
The Insider’s Guide
Outliner for iPhone, iPad and Mac with iCloud sync
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among note-taking apps, read from Cloud Outliner’s own pages.
Made by Xwavesoft · checked Oct 9, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Cloud Outliner’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Cloud Outliner’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Oct 9, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.4
GPA, above 22 of the 147 other note-taking apps we grade
Cloud Outliner is an outlining app for iPhone, iPad and Mac from Xwavesoft. Plans, projects and ideas are written as nested rows with checkboxes, numbering, notes and text styling, and kept in a document manager with templates and password protection. Outlines sync through iCloud, and both apps are free to download with a Pro upgrade sold in-app on each platform.
To get you started, here are 9 things to know about Cloud Outliner, taken from its own pages and our grades.
A swipe changes a row's indent on the phone and the Mac app's shortcuts can be changed, so there's not much to learn.
- 1
Best for simple nested outlines on Apple devices
Cloud Outliner is an outliner for iPhone, iPad and Mac, with nested rows, checkboxes, numbering and notes, synced over iCloud.
- 2
What it costs
Paid plans start at $4.99 in-app purchase on iPhone and iPad; $9.99 on Mac.
- 3
There is a free plan
Both apps are free to download, with a Pro upgrade sold in-app. The store listings do not say what the free version leaves out; ads were removed from the free iOS version in 2.8.1.
- 4
It runs on 2 platforms
iOS and macOS.
- 5
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.
- 6
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.
- 7
Document manager with protection
Outlines live in a multi-level document manager with color tags, password protection, custom templates and a duplicate command.
- 8
A 2.4 GPA, above 22 of 147
That is against the other note-taking apps we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 9
Your call
A notes app at its plainest is text in folders with a search box.
Cloud Outliner at a glance
- Pricing
- Free plan, from $4.99 in-app purchase on iPhone and iPad; $9.99 on Mac
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- macOS, iOS
- Made by
- Xwavesoft
- Category
- Note-Taking Apps
- Our grade
- 2.4 GPA, fair
- Store rating
- 4.5 on the App Store, 754 ratings
The report card
Best for simple nested outlines on Apple devices
Cloud Outliner is an outliner for iPhone, iPad and Mac, with nested rows, checkboxes, numbering and notes, synced over iCloud. Pro is $4.99 on iOS and $9.99 on Mac, bought separately, and syncing a phone with a Mac needs Pro on both. The store listings never say what free leaves out or the billing period, and the vendor's page still advertises Evernote sync the App Store doesn't mention.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | B | The upgrades are $4.99 on iPhone and iPad and $9.99 on Mac, against a category middle of $6 every month. You do buy twice, $14.98 all in, and the listings show no billing period and never say what Pro adds, so you're buying a little blind. |
| Free plan and trial | C | Both apps are free to download, and ads came out of the free iOS version in 2.8.1. The cap we can see is a big one: syncing a phone with a Mac needs Pro on each. What else free leaves out, the listings never say. |
| Features | C | Outlines, done fully: drag to reorder, indent, collapse, checkboxes, numbering, filters that hide the ticked rows, templates, password protection, export to PDF, OPML and plain text. That's a smaller job than note-taking, and the listings mention no images and no shared editing. |
| Ease of use | B | 4.52 from about 750 App Store ratings, a bit under the 4.7 an A asks for. A swipe changes a row's indent on the phone and the Mac app's shortcuts can be changed, so there's not much to learn. |
| Platforms and integrations | C | One family of devices: iPhone, iPad and Mac, with no Windows, Android or web version. Sync is iCloud only, and the vendor's own page still advertises Evernote sync that the current App Store pages don't mention. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who Cloud Outliner is for
- Fits if you plan in nested lists and own only Apple devices
- Works for outlines that are really checklists, with filters that hide the ticked rows
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you use Windows, Android or a browser, as there's no version for any of them
- Not for you if you want to know what you're buying first, as the listings don't say what Pro adds or the billing period
- Watch out: syncing a phone with a Mac needs Pro on each, $4.99 plus $9.99, bought separately
- Too light for notes with pictures or files, as the listings describe rows of text and little else
- Watch out: the vendor's page still describes Cloud Outliner 2 with Evernote sync, which the current App Store pages don't mention
Good to know
Good for
- 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
Worth knowing
- 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.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
$4.99
To start. There is a free plan too
Cloud Outliner has a free plan. Paid plans start at $4.99 in-app purchase on iPhone and iPad; $9.99 on Mac.
The cap we can see is a big one: syncing a phone with a Mac needs Pro on each.
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.
The free plan
Both apps are free to download, with a Pro upgrade sold in-app. The store listings do not say what the free version leaves out; ads were removed from the free iOS version in 2.8.1.
Read from apps.apple.com on Oct 9, 2026.
What the app costs elsewhere
Each country’s App Store price for “Unlock Pro Features”, against $4.99 in the United States, in dollars at the day’s rate. The four cheapest and the four dearest of 11.
| Country | Price there | In dollars | Against the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philippines | ₱ 299.00 | $4.76 | about the same |
| Canada | $6.99 | $4.91 | about the same |
| Turkey | ₺249,99 | $5.08 | about the same |
| India | ₹ 499 | $5.16 | about the same |
| Brazil | R$ 29,90 | $5.97 | 20% more |
| South Africa | R99.99 | $6.05 | 21% more |
| United Kingdom | £4.99 | $6.60 | 32% more |
| Germany | 5,99 € | $6.71 | 35% more |
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
2
Places it runs: macOS and iOS
Outliner for iPhone, iPad and Mac with iCloud sync. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: notes, templates, tasks.
That's a smaller job than note-taking, and the listings mention no images and no shared editing.
- 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.
Where it runs
- macOS
- iOS
What it works with
- iCloud
- Evernote
Cloud Outliner is made by Xwavesoft.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
22/147
Other note-taking apps it is graded above
Cloud Outliner's GPA of 2.4 is higher than 22 of the 147 other note-taking apps we grade, and level with 27.
It stands best on value for money (B, above 48 of 147) and worst on features (C, above 2).
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 148 note-taking apps we grade, cut by the letter each got. Cloud Outliner’s own letter is outlined.
- BValue for moneyAbove 48 of 147
- CFree plan and trialAbove 7 of 147
- CFeaturesAbove 2 of 147
- BEase of useAbove 47 of 147
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 31 of 147
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Your call
A notes app at its plainest is text in folders with a search box.
You could make the core of Cloud Outliner for yourself: notes, tasks and templates. What you would give up is listed below. Whether that is worth the price is your call.
What you could make
- Notes, tasks and templates: an app builder makes these well.
What you could not
- Apps for macOS and iOS that stay in step with each other.
What this rests on. Cloud Outliner’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
OmniOutliner, Zavala, Bike Outliner, Workflowy and Dynalist
The 5 tools Cloud Outliner is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.6GPA
OmniOutliner
Free trial · from $24.99 one-time
Outliner for Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Vision Pro.
- Cloud Outliner has a free plan. OmniOutliner does not, though it has a free trial.
- OmniOutliner can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Cloud Outliner also covers tasks.
- 3.0GPA
Zavala
Free
Free open-source outliner for Mac, iPhone and iPad.
- Zavala is open source, according to its own site.
- Cloud Outliner also covers templates and tasks.
- Zavala also covers linked notes and web clipper.
- 2.4GPA
Bike Outliner
Free plan · from $29.99 one-time
Fast outliner and structured writing app for Mac.
- Only Cloud Outliner lists an iOS app.
- Bike Outliner can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Cloud Outliner also covers templates and tasks.
- 2.8GPA
Workflowy
Free plan · from $6.99/mo
Outliner that keeps notes, to-dos and plans in one nested list.
- Only Workflowy lists a web app.
- Only Workflowy lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
- Only Workflowy lists a browser extension.
- 3.0GPA
Dynalist
Free plan · from $7.99/mo
Outlining app for nested lists, notes and tasks.
- Only Dynalist lists a web app.
- Only Dynalist lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
- Only Dynalist lists a browser extension.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
12
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Cloud Outliner free?
Cloud Outliner has a free plan. Both apps are free to download, with a Pro upgrade sold in-app.
How much does Cloud Outliner cost?
Cloud Outliner lists 4 plans. Free download: $0.
What platforms does Cloud Outliner work on?
Cloud Outliner is available on iOS and macOS.
How is Cloud Outliner rated?
Cloud Outliner's iPhone and iPad app averages 4.5 out of 5 from 754 ratings on the App Store in the United States, as read on Oct 9, 2026.
Does Cloud Outliner have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. Cloud Outliner is listed for iOS and macOS.
Does Cloud Outliner have a Windows app?
No Windows app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. Cloud Outliner is listed for iOS and macOS.
Is Cloud Outliner open source?
Cloud Outliner is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Oct 9, 2026.
What does Cloud Outliner integrate with?
Cloud Outliner's listing names iCloud and Evernote. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.
Who makes Cloud Outliner?
Cloud Outliner is made by Xwavesoft.
What are the alternatives to Cloud Outliner?
The closest alternatives to Cloud Outliner in our directory are OmniOutliner, Zavala, Bike Outliner, Workflowy and Dynalist.
How does Cloud Outliner compare with other note-taking apps?
Cloud Outliner's GPA of 2.4 is higher than 22 of the 147 other note-taking apps we grade, and level with 27.
Could I make my own version of Cloud Outliner?
A notes app at its plainest is text in folders with a search box. You could make the core of Cloud Outliner for yourself: notes, tasks and templates.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Cloud Outliner’s own pages on Oct 9, 2026, and the grades were given on Oct 10, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Xwavesoft's own pages on 9 October 2026, and its App Store rating. Also tested with a demo account on 2026-02-22.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Xwavesoft. Prices change, so check xwavesoft.com before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
3,189
Tools graded, in 94 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
3,189
tools graded
94
categories
426
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Cloud Outliner, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/cloud-outliner
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Cloud Outliner: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 9, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/cloud-outliner
Know someone choosing between note-taking apps?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/cloud-outliner/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded note-taking apps after Cloud Outliner, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Note-Taking Apps Insider's GuideEvery one of the 148 note-taking apps we grade, compared
- Microsoft OneNote Insider's GuideMicrosoft's free digital notebook for typed, inked and audio notes3.8 GPA
- Goodnotes Insider's GuideHandwritten notes, PDF markup and whiteboards with an AI assistant3.6 GPA
- Joplin Insider's GuideOpen source Markdown notes with sync through a service you choose3.6 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Cloud Outliner’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Cloud Outliner is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Xwavesoft. Prices and plans change: check xwavesoft.com before you buy.