Skip to content
SPECIFICTION
Get listed

Org mode

orgmode.org

WebWindowsmacOSLinuxiOSAndroid
Visit orgmode.org
Spec score 7.7 #148 of 216 in Note-taking apps

What it is

Org mode is a structured plain-text format and a mode for GNU Emacs, suited to work ranging from notes and markup to literate programs. It combines task planning, time tracking, document editing and publishing. Tasks can have TODO states, priorities, deadlines, schedules and tags, with clocking and customizable agendas. Org documents use nested sections that can be folded or unfolded, and tables support formulas, references, and CSV or TSV imports. Org Babel runs source blocks in more than 80 languages. Documents can be exported to formats such as HTML, LaTeX, ODT and Markdown, and projects with multiple Org files and resources can be published. Org Capture collects structured information from Emacs and other applications, including browsers and PDF viewers. The full feature set is exclusive to GNU Emacs, though third-party file tools are listed for Android, iOS and web. Org is free, included with GNU Emacs, and also installable through package management or its Git repository. Recent releases require a recent Emacs version.

Spec sheet

Free plan
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · orgmode.org
Integrations
The site says Org works with Pandoc, and links to third-party mobile and browser tools that support Org files.Read 4 Oct 2026 · orgmode.org
Security
Org Crypt can encrypt entry text using Emacs EasyPG and GnuPG, but it does not encrypt headlines or properties.Read 4 Oct 2026 · orgmode.org
Support
The Org community provides support through its mailing list, and the project says replies can sometimes take over a month.Read 4 Oct 2026 · orgmode.org
Capture
Org Capture can collect structured information from Emacs and other applications, including web browsers and PDF viewers.Read 4 Oct 2026 · orgmode.org
Code and literate programming
Org Babel executes and combines source blocks across languages, and the site says Org supports over 80 languages.Read 4 Oct 2026 · orgmode.org
Code and notebooks
Org Babel runs code blocks and supports more than 80 languages for literate programming.Read 4 Oct 2026 · orgmode.org
Compatibility limit
Org stable versions are intended to be compatible with the last three stable Emacs versions, but not older versions.Read 4 Oct 2026 · orgmode.org
Emacs integration
The full set of Org features is exclusive to GNU Emacs; Org is included in GNU Emacs distributions.Read 4 Oct 2026 · orgmode.org
Extensibility
Org supports custom link types and resolving functions, including links to files on remote machines through Tramp.Read 4 Oct 2026 · orgmode.org
Format
Org mode is a structured plain text format designed for workflows ranging from notes and markup to literate programs.Read 4 Oct 2026 · orgmode.org
Installation
Org is included in GNU Emacs distributions; users can also install it through Emacs package management or clone its Git repository.Read 4 Oct 2026 · orgmode.org
Outlining
Org documents use nested, collapsible sections that can be folded or unfolded with a keystroke.Read 4 Oct 2026 · orgmode.org
Project license
The Org website says it is licensed under GNU FDL 1.3; the pages reviewed do not specify a product pricing plan.Read 4 Oct 2026 · orgmode.org
Publishing
Org can export documents to formats including HTML, LaTeX and ODT, and can publish projects containing multiple Org files and resources.Read 4 Oct 2026 · orgmode.org
Release support
Org 9.8 dropped support for Emacs 26 and 27 and states compatibility with the latest Emacs release and the two versions before it.Read 4 Oct 2026 · orgmode.org
Structured editing
Org documents use nested, collapsible sections that can be folded or unfolded with a keystroke.Read 4 Oct 2026 · orgmode.org
Tables
Org tables support formulas and references, and can import CSV and TSV data.Read 4 Oct 2026 · orgmode.org
Task planning
Org supports TODO states, priorities, deadlines, scheduled tasks, tags, clocking and customizable agendas.Read 4 Oct 2026 · orgmode.org
Third-party apps
The official tools directory lists third-party Org file apps for Android, iOS, and web, including Orgzly Revived, MobileOrg, Orgro, and Organice.Read 4 Oct 2026 · orgmode.org
What it is
Org is a flexible structured plain text format and a mode for GNU Emacs.Read 4 Oct 2026 · orgmode.org
Who it is for
The feature set includes task planning, time tracking, note taking, literate programming and document publishing.Read 4 Oct 2026 · orgmode.org

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Task planning includes deadlines, tags and customizable agendas.
  • Tables support formulas and CSV or TSV imports.
  • Org Babel supports more than 80 languages.
  • Projects can publish multiple Org files and resources.

Limits

  • Full feature set is exclusive to GNU Emacs.
  • Recent stable versions do not support older Emacs releases.
  • Org Crypt does not encrypt headlines or properties.
  • Mailing-list responses may take up to one month.

Who it suits

Org suits people who want task planning, time tracking, notes, literate programming or document publishing in a structured text workflow. Its full feature set is for GNU Emacs users.

Verdict

Org brings planning, coding and publishing tools into a plain-text workflow, with GNU Emacs as its full-featured environment. It is free, but users should check Emacs compatibility and note that Org Crypt leaves headlines and properties unencrypted.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to Org modeAll alternatives →