Outlining is an essential part of the writing process, helping writers to organize their thoughts and ideas effectively. With the increasing popularity of mobile devices, outlining apps for Android and iOS have become an integral tool for writers who wish to work on the go. These apps offer a range of features, from simple note-taking to complex outlining functionality, making it easier for writers to create well-structured documents. In this article, we will explore some of the best outlining apps available for Android and iOS, highlighting their key features and benefits.
We have compiled a list of 10 Best Outlining Apps For Android & iOS for your consideration, which have undergone rigorous testing and evaluation by our team of experts.
Table of Contents
10 Best Outlining Apps For Android & iOS
1. OmniOutliner 3
The latest release of OmniOutliner 3 for iOS introduces both OmniOutliner Essentials and OmniOutliner Pro to cater to a wider audience. Users can try out both editions for free with a two-week trial period. After the trial, users can still view documents for free.
OmniOutliner Essentials Edition features several new features, including a dark mode that adjusts the UI to the display mode of iOS, a file browser for increased flexibility in document storage and syncing, and multiple windows to increase productivity on iPadOS. Users can drag and drop text and rows to and from documents and other apps. The keyword filtering feature allows users to filter an outline by a particular keyword via the new Filter icon in the toolbar. The Essentials Inspector provides access to simple document and text styling options.
Other features of the Essentials Edition include improved outline view, recent document view, templates, printing, and PDF sending. OmniOutliner 3 adopts the new .ooutline format introduced by OmniOutliner 5 for Mac, a flat (zipped) file that is compatible with third-party cloud sync platforms. Editing OPML files in the OPML Mode hides or disables features not supported by the file format. Users can view Pro documents in Essentials, with the option to import a copy that removes all Pro content.
OmniOutliner Pro 3 includes all of Essentials’ new features, plus extra features such as cross-platform scripting with JavaScript, a section list that allows users to focus on specific areas, and a status bar that appears when content is hidden. Users can drag and drop images and other files to documents and apply advanced filters created in the Mac edition of OmniOutliner. The optimized inspector allows for improved access to inspector contents, and the outline column can be placed anywhere in a multi-column document. Users can add a password to their documents for AES-256 encryption.
For video tutorials and other information, users can visit the Omni Group website.
2. Suru – Note, List, To-do
Suru is a productivity app that allows users to organize and outline a variety of projects, including task lists, presentations, notes, ideas, and research. The app is flexible and adaptable, allowing users to structure and organize in a way that makes sense to them. Suru helps users keep track of upcoming tasks, illustrate core concepts, and collaborate on shared projects with colleagues. Users can access Suru from work or home, using its intuitive, colorful, and effortless interface.
With Suru, users can create and edit organized task lists with sub-tasks, outline presentations with detail and photos, take organized notes, brainstorm new ideas and projects, snap and group important photos, organize research, share lists and outlines, track progress and productivity, and export work as a formatted PDF outline. Users can also re-organize, re-color, and delete items or sub-items, and add detailed text and photos. The app features unique and beautiful color palettes and a simple, intuitive interface that allows users to capture ideas quickly and easily.
Suru Pro is a premium version of the app that offers additional features, including cloud syncing and access on any iOS or Mac device, secure backup for personal projects, multiple export formats, unlimited projects, and beautiful color themes. Suru Teams allows users to build a team, share and edit projects in real-time, control team access to projects, and provide unlimited access to team exports, color themes, and projects.
Subscriptions to Suru may vary by location, and will be charged to the user’s credit card through their iTunes account. Subscriptions will automatically renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the current period ends. Users can manage their subscriptions in Suru Pro Settings after purchase. Any unused portion of a free trial period will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription.
Esoteric Development, the creators of Suru, welcome user feedback and questions. Users can contact support@esotericdevelopment.com for assistance.
3. Taskmator – TaskPaper Client
Taskmator is a task management app for iOS and iPadOS that enhances productivity with its speedy and powerful tools. It is a next-generation version of TaskPaper, an open-source code for iOS and iPadOS. Taskmator offers features such as Apple Reminders Integration, Built-In Files App Integration, Local Notifications, Live Search with Saved Filters, Dropbox Sync API V2, Multiple Window Split View Support for iPadOS, System Dark Mode, Touch ID/Face ID support, Document Picker Support, Custom Task Symbol, Colored Tags, Tags Suggestion, Links Detections, Tag Formatting, Print with custom task symbol, Full Screen Mode, and Statistics.
Users can organize notes, tasks, or projects by tags and support outlining. Drag & Drop items from another app and vice versa. UI elements respond to the cursor on iPadOS when connecting a mouse or trackpad. TextExpander (TETouch Snippet Expansion) support is also available. Users can re-use a file on a single tap and review all their projects using the “Go to Project..” feature. URL Schemes are also available.
Taskmator offers customization options such as extended keyboard keys, themes, dark mode, fonts, colors, and export file as PDF. Approximately 150 beautiful fonts and a total of nine app icons are available. If users have any questions, suggestions, or issues related to Taskmator, they can contact the developer via email (taskmator@gmail.com) or on Twitter (@Taskmator).
4. Orgzly: Notes & To-Do Lists
Orgzly is an outliner app that serves as a tool for taking notes and managing to-do lists.
Users have the option to store notebooks in plain-text format and sync them with various storage options including a directory on their mobile device, SD card, Dropbox, or over WebDAV.
The app saves notebooks in Org mode’s file format, which is well-suited for keeping notes, managing to-do lists, planning projects, and creating documents with an efficient plain-text system. Additional information about Org mode can be found at http://orgmode.org.
5. Notion – Notes, Tasks, Wikis
Notion is a productivity tool that allows users to write, plan, and organize their work in one place. It can be customized to fit individual preferences and is free for personal use. With no storage limit, users can add as much content as they want and easily create dashboards, websites, documents, or systems with drag and drop functionality. Notion is also available as a free trial for teams, with 90% of Forbes Cloud 100 companies using it to enhance their productivity.
Notion enables users to create notes, documents, and tasks with ease. They can drag and drop any type of content and organize everything in a user-friendly, customizable interface. Real-time collaboration is also possible, with the ability to share pages, add comments, and @mention team members. Additionally, users can create visually appealing documents with rich media, including images and 20+ other content types.
To further enhance organization, pages can be nested inside other pages in Notion, eliminating messy folders. Users can also turn any Notion page into a website with just two taps, making it easy to share work and collaborate with others. Notion can be used across multiple devices, with the ability to sync with browser, Mac, and Windows apps. To download the desktop app, users can visit notion.so/desktop.
6. Any.do
Any.do is a popular to-do list app that has received positive reviews from various sources. The app has been dubbed the “#1 to do list app out there” by the Wall Street Journal, and has been awarded Google’s “Editor’s Choice.” Over 30 million people use Any.do to stay organized and increase productivity.
The app offers a range of features, including reminders, a planner, and a calendar, all in one place. Despite offering a range of functions, Any.do is designed to be simple and user-friendly.
Lifehacker, the New York Times, and USA Today have all recommended Any.do, with the Lifehacker review referring to the app as a “must-have.” Any.do is available as a free download.
7. Evernote
Evernote is a productivity tool that helps users capture ideas, stay organized, and access information across multiple devices. With Evernote, users can write searchable notes, create to-do lists, and clip interesting articles and web pages for later use. Additionally, users can add various types of content to their notes such as text, docs, PDFs, sketches, photos, audio, web clippings, and more. The app also allows users to scan and organize paper documents, business cards, whiteboards, and handwritten notes using their camera.
To stay organized, users can manage their to-do list with Tasks, set due dates and reminders, and connect Evernote and Google Calendar to bring their schedule and notes together. The app also provides a customizable Home dashboard where users can see their most relevant information instantly. Additionally, users can create separate notebooks to organize receipts, bills, and invoices, and find anything fast with Evernote’s powerful search function that can even find text in images and handwritten notes.
Evernote syncs automatically across any Chromebook, phone, or tablet, allowing users to start work on one device and continue on another without missing a beat. The app is suitable for everyday life and can be used to keep a journal, go paperless by scanning receipts and important documents, or in business to capture meeting notes and share notebooks with teams. Evernote is also useful in education, allowing users to keep track of lecture notes, exams, and assignments, and create notebooks for each class to keep everything organized.
Evernote offers two plans: Personal and Professional. Personal comes with 10 GB of new uploads each month, unlimited number of devices, the ability to create and manage tasks, connect one Google Calendar account, and access notes and notebooks offline. Professional includes 20 GB of new uploads each month, unlimited number of devices, the ability to create, manage, and assign tasks, connect multiple Google Calendar accounts, access notes and notebooks offline, and a fully customizable Home dashboard.
8. Microsoft OneNote: Save Ideas and Organize Notes
Microsoft OneNote is a digital notepad that allows users to take notes on their phone and sync them across all their devices. With OneNote, users can organize their thoughts, discoveries, and ideas, and simplify planning important moments in their life. The app can be used to plan big events, create something new, track errands, write memos, and make a digital sketchbook right on your phone. One can capture pictures and add images to their notes, and sync them across devices to access them anytime, anywhere. The user can also search their notes quickly and effortlessly.
OneNote allows users to capture content and get organized by writing notes, drawing, and clipping things from the web to get their thoughts down into their notebook. The app’s flexible canvas allows users to place content anywhere they want, scan documents and business cards straight into OneNote, and save pictures and images to their notes. OneNote can be used as a notebook, journal, or a notepad, and users can organize their notes using to-do lists, follow-up items, marks for what’s important, and custom labels.
OneNote allows users to save ideas at the speed of light by syncing notes across all devices and letting multiple people work on the content together, at the same time. Users can use the notepad to list their thoughts down whenever something crosses their mind, and the notepad badge hovers on the screen, letting them quickly write their thoughts down any time. Sticky notes are helpful for quick memos.
OneNote allows users to collaborate and share notes by taking meeting notes, brainstorming projects, drawing attention to important points, and organizing key resources. The app also enables collaboration in real-time to stay in sync and on the same page. Users can take notes and save ideas across their favorite devices, no matter what device their team prefers to use. One can also take notes during classes or meetings, mixing in text, voice, ink, and web clippings.
9. Smartsheet
Smartsheet is a work execution platform that enables collaboration and informed decision-making. It is available through a free 30-day trial or by signing in with an existing account. The platform has users in 190 countries and boasts 80,000+ leading brands as customers, including 75% of the Fortune 500.
Smartsheet can be used to manage projects and tasks, automate workflows, collaborate with team members, and maximize productivity from any device. The platform offers a range of collaborative tools, such as the ability to seamlessly create, share, and collaborate on projects, review and edit documents and sheets, and access projects, tasks, workflows, and sheets at any time.
Users can organize projects and tasks by using sheets to oversee workflows, plan projects, add assignees, due dates, followers, checklists, predecessors, files, and more. They can also choose how to visualize tasks by switching between grid, card, Gantt, and calendar views with the same data. Collaborators can attach files from Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, and other services, and send automated update and approval requests to streamline work.
Smartsheet enables users to implement simple and powerful automated workflows in minutes. Users can automate repetitive processes by sending alerts, requesting approvals and updates, and locking rows based on sheet changes and preset times. They can also collect data from the field with forms, capture and upload images, or scan barcodes with their mobile device.
Smartsheet’s features allow users to view work alongside key conversations, decisions, and rationale in one place while improving project visibility across their organization. Users can collect and act on error-free, consistent data from internal and external stakeholders by easily creating forms that automatically map to the columns in their sheets. Dashboards and websites can easily embed forms or share unique links.
10. WorkFlowy – Notes, Lists, Outlines
Workflowy is a software application designed to assist users in capturing notes, planning tasks, and remaining organized. The app is streamlined and free of distractions. Despite its simplicity, Workflowy boasts a range of features that can aid in managing personal information.
The app allows users to capture notes and thoughts quickly, assign tags and tasks, and upload photos and files from their devices. Workflowy offers infinite nesting capabilities for organizing complex ideas, as well as kanban boards for managing activities. Real-time collaboration and note sharing are also possible through the app. Additionally, users can filter their entire Workflowy in seconds and embed YouTube videos and tweets.
Workflowy automatically syncs across all devices and auto-saves all data, minimizing the risk of losing important notes or files. The app is used by a diverse range of people, including entrepreneurs, writers, engineers, scientists, and students. Noted users include Mike Cannon-Brookes (Atlassian CEO), Farhad Manjoo (New York Times technology columnist), and Slack’s founders.
Workflowy has a host of features designed to enhance productivity, including infinitely nested lists, offline compatibility, and global text search. The app automatically syncs with the desktop and web versions and allows for simple document sharing and permissions. Users can easily complete tasks with one swipe and move items around using tap and drag. Workflowy also has mobile keyboard shortcuts, Mirrors, MFA (Multi-factor authentication), item starring, date tags, and auto-backup to Dropbox.