The OmniOutliner Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about OmniOutliner 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.
OmniOutliner
The Insider’s Guide
Outliner for Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Vision Pro
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among note-taking apps, read from OmniOutliner’s own pages.
Made by The Omni Group · checked Oct 6, 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 OmniOutliner’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on OmniOutliner’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Oct 6, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.6
GPA, above 50 of the 147 other note-taking apps we grade
OmniOutliner is an outlining app from The Omni Group for Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Vision Pro. Outlines nest to any depth, each row can carry a note, a checkbox and attachments, and documents are saved on the device and synced through iCloud Drive. Version 6 is sold as a universal license in Essentials and Pro editions or as a yearly Pro subscription; Pro adds columns, saved filters, custom styles and automation.
To get you started, here are 9 things to know about OmniOutliner, taken from its own pages and our grades.
No store rating on record, so we go by the listing: basic outlining is type, tab and drag, with nothing to set up.
- 1
Best for serious outlining across Apple devices
OmniOutliner is an outliner for Mac, iPhone, iPad and Vision Pro: rows nest without limit and each can hold a note, a checkbox and attachments, with Essentials at $24.99 once.
- 2
What it costs
Paid plans start at $24.99 one-time license for version 6 (Essentials).
- 3
You can try it first
14-day free trial with full features, started by signing in to an Omni Account
- 4
It runs on 2 platforms
macOS and iOS.
- 5
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.
- 6
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.
- 7
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.
- 8
A 2.6 GPA, above 50 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.
OmniOutliner at a glance
- Pricing
- Free trial, from $24.99 one-time license for version 6 (Essentials)
- Free plan
- No
- Free trial
- 14-day free trial with full features, started by signing in to an Omni Account
- Runs on
- macOS, iOS
- Made by
- The Omni Group
- Category
- Note-Taking Apps
- Our grade
- 2.6 GPA, good
The report card
Best for serious outlining across Apple devices
OmniOutliner is an outliner for Mac, iPhone, iPad and Vision Pro: rows nest without limit and each can hold a note, a checkbox and attachments, with Essentials at $24.99 once. But columns, saved filters, audio and automation are Pro at $99.99, a license covers version 6 only, version 6 needs macOS 15 or iOS 26, there's no free plan, and it's Apple only.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | Essentials is $24.99 once for all four Apple platforms, with every 6.x update. A year of the middle note app here is $72, so that's a third of one year and paid once. Pro is another matter at $99.99 once or $49.99 a year, and a license covers version 6 only. |
| Free plan and trial | C | No free plan at all. There's a 14-day trial with full features, and it asks for an Omni Account rather than a card. After the 14 days it's a license or the yearly subscription. |
| Features | C | It does outlining completely: unlimited levels, row notes of any length, inline images, attachments, templates, themes, and exports to Word, PowerPoint, OPML, HTML and CSV. But outlining is a smaller job than note-taking, and columns, saved filters, audio recording and automation are all held back for Pro. |
| Ease of use | B | No store rating on record, so we go by the listing: basic outlining is type, tab and drag, with nothing to set up. You do need a recent system, though, as version 6 wants macOS 15, iOS or iPadOS 26, or visionOS 26. |
| Platforms and integrations | C | Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Vision Pro, synced through iCloud Drive, with AppleScript on the Mac. One family of devices, and the site lists no Windows, Android or web version. |
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 OmniOutliner is for
- Fits if you plan essays, talks or projects as outlines before you write them
- Works for moving between a Mac, an iPhone and an iPad on one $24.99 purchase
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you use Windows or Android, as it's Apple platforms only
- Pricey if you need columns or saved filters, because those are Pro at $99.99 once or $49.99 a year
- Not for you if your Mac or iPhone is on an older system, since version 6 needs macOS 15 or iOS 26
- Watch out: a license covers 6.x only, so the next major version is a paid upgrade
- Watch out: there's no free plan, just a 14-day trial that needs an Omni Account
Good to know
Good for
- 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
Worth knowing
- 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.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
$24.99 one-time
To start
OmniOutliner is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $24.99 one-time license for version 6 (Essentials).
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.
Trying it first
14-day free trial with full features, started by signing in to an Omni Account
Read from omnigroup.com on Oct 6, 2026.
Ways to pay less
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.
Stated on legacy.store.omnigroup.comOther 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.
Stated on support.omnigroup.comOther 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.
Stated on apps.apple.com
What the app costs elsewhere
Each country’s App Store price for “Upgrade to v6 Pro from v1-v5”, against $49.99 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 | ₱ 2,990.00 | $47.60 | about the same |
| Canada | $69.99 | $49.20 | about the same |
| Turkey | ₺2.499,99 | $50.84 | about the same |
| India | ₹ 4,999 | $51.68 | about the same |
| Brazil | R$ 299,90 | $59.92 | 20% more |
| South Africa | R999.99 | $60.48 | 21% more |
| United Kingdom | £49.99 | $66.09 | 32% more |
| Germany | 59,99 € | $67.22 | 34% 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 Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Vision Pro. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: local-first, one-time purchase, notes, templates.
But outlining is a smaller job than note-taking, and columns, saved filters, audio recording and automation are all held back for Pro.
- 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.
Where it runs
- macOS
- iOS
What it works with
- iCloud Drive
- Apple Intelligence
OmniOutliner is made by The Omni Group.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
50/147
Other note-taking apps it is graded above
OmniOutliner's GPA of 2.6 is higher than 50 of the 147 other note-taking apps we grade, and level with 21.
It stands best on value for money (A, above 62 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. OmniOutliner’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 62 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 OmniOutliner for yourself: notes and templates. What you would give up is listed below. Whether that is worth the price is your call. At $24.99, paid once, it costs less than the weekend it would take to replace, which is the argument for keeping it.
What you could make
- Notes and templates: an app builder makes these well.
What you could not
- Apps for macOS and iOS that stay in step with each other.
- It is priced for each person, which means accounts and billing for a team.
What this rests on. OmniOutliner’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
Bike Outliner, Workflowy, Dynalist, Zavala and Cloud Outliner
The 5 tools OmniOutliner is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.4GPA
Bike Outliner
Free plan · from $29.99 one-time
Fast outliner and structured writing app for Mac.
- Bike Outliner has a free plan. OmniOutliner does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only OmniOutliner lists an iOS app.
- OmniOutliner also covers templates.
- 2.8GPA
Workflowy
Free plan · from $6.99/mo
Outliner that keeps notes, to-dos and plans in one nested list.
- Workflowy has a free plan. OmniOutliner does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Workflowy lists a web app.
- Only Workflowy lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
- 3.0GPA
Dynalist
Free plan · from $7.99/mo
Outlining app for nested lists, notes and tasks.
- Dynalist has a free plan. OmniOutliner does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Dynalist lists a web app.
- Only Dynalist lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
- 3.0GPA
Zavala
Free
Free open-source outliner for Mac, iPhone and iPad.
- Zavala has a free plan. OmniOutliner does not, though it has a free trial.
- OmniOutliner can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Zavala is open source, according to its own site.
- 2.4GPA
Cloud Outliner
Free plan · from $4.99
Outliner for iPhone, iPad and Mac with iCloud sync.
- 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.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
13
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 OmniOutliner free?
No, OmniOutliner is a paid product, but you can try it first. 14-day free trial with full features, started by signing in to an Omni Account.
How much does OmniOutliner cost?
OmniOutliner lists 3 plans. v6 Essentials License: $24.99 one-time purchase, includes all 6.x updates.
What platforms does OmniOutliner work on?
OmniOutliner is available on macOS and iOS.
Does OmniOutliner offer any discounts?
OmniOutliner publicly lists the following: Education licenses at $14.99 and $59.99; Quantity discount of up to 30%; Upgrade discounts for existing owners.
Does OmniOutliner have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 6, 2026. OmniOutliner is listed for macOS and iOS.
Does OmniOutliner have a Windows app?
No Windows app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 6, 2026. OmniOutliner is listed for macOS and iOS.
Is OmniOutliner open source?
OmniOutliner is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Oct 6, 2026.
What does OmniOutliner integrate with?
OmniOutliner's listing names iCloud Drive and Apple Intelligence. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.
Does OmniOutliner have a student discount?
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.
Who makes OmniOutliner?
OmniOutliner is made by The Omni Group.
What are the alternatives to OmniOutliner?
The closest alternatives to OmniOutliner in our directory are Bike Outliner, Workflowy, Dynalist, Zavala and Cloud Outliner.
How does OmniOutliner compare with other note-taking apps?
OmniOutliner's GPA of 2.6 is higher than 50 of the 147 other note-taking apps we grade, and level with 21.
Could I make my own version of OmniOutliner?
A notes app at its plainest is text in folders with a search box. You could make the core of OmniOutliner for yourself: notes and templates.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from OmniOutliner’s own pages on Oct 6, 2026, and the grades were given on Oct 10, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from The Omni Group's own pages on 6 October 2026. Also tested with a demo account on 2026-04-08.
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 The Omni Group. Prices change, so check omnigroup.com before you buy.
- omnigroup.com/omnioutliner/buy/
- omnigroup.com/omnioutliner
- omnigroup.com/omnioutliner/features/pro
- omnigroup.com/omnioutliner/specs/
- omnigroup.com/about
- support.omnigroup.com/trial-versions/
- support.omnigroup.com/educational-pricing/
- support.omnigroup.com/business-pricing/
- support.omnigroup.com/about-our-software-licenses/
- legacy.store.omnigroup.com/edu
- legacy.store.omnigroup.com/edu/720101b06927aa72ffffffff
- apps.apple.com/us/app/omnioutliner-6/id6474965689
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
- OmniOutliner, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/omnioutliner
- 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, "OmniOutliner: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 6, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/omnioutliner
Know someone choosing between note-taking apps?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/omnioutliner/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded note-taking apps after OmniOutliner, 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 OmniOutliner’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. OmniOutliner is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by The Omni Group. Prices and plans change: check omnigroup.com before you buy.