Cloud Outliner vs CrossLine
Cloud Outliner
xwavesoft.comCrossLine
github.comSide by side
| Figure | Cloud Outliner | CrossLine |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 8 | 1 |
| Spec score · Outliner Software | 9.1 (#2) | 8.6 (#5) |
| Organization | The product provides color tags, password protection, templates and document duplication. | It organizes text into nodes arranged in parent–child topic and subtopic relationships, with outlines that can be collapsed or expanded. |
| Support | Xwavesoft directs users to [email protected] and says replies usually arrive within 48 hours. | The author directs users to the GitHub issue list or to email for support, issues, and feature requests. |
| What it does | Cloud Outliner creates hierarchical outlines for plans, projects, ideas, notes and tasks across Mac and iOS. | CrossLine is an outliner with cross-link capabilities, transclusion, and a built-in full-text search engine. |
Plans
Cloud Outliner
- Monthly ProPriced on request
- Yearly ProPriced on request
- Lifetime ProPriced on request
- Cloud Outliner for MacFree
- Cloud Outliner - Nested Lists (iPhone/iPad)Free
- Cloud Outliner – Nested Lists (Mac)Free
- Cloud Outliner 2 for iOS$4.99, paid once
- Upgrade to Pro for Mac$9.99, paid once
In their own words
Cloud Outliner
Cloud Outliner is an outlining app for organizing plans, projects, and ideas as interactive notes. Its editor supports drag-and-drop reordering, multi-selection, checkboxes, automatic numbering, item notes, rich-text formatting, and highlighting. A multi-tier document manager adds color stickers, password protection, customizable templates, and document duplication. Search covers outline names and text; entries can be collapsed or expanded, filtered by checked status, and viewed in light or dark themes. The maker says outlines sync through iCloud and Evernote. Export options include PDF, OPML, HTML on macOS, and plain text, with sharing through email, instant messaging, and listed social or Apple services. It runs on iOS and macOS, with iOS read-only mode, indentation gestures, orientation support, and wireless keyboard shortcuts. Downloads are free with in-app purchases; Pro plans add cross-device sync and remove banners or ads.
CrossLine
CrossLine is a free, open-source outliner for Windows, Linux, and macOS. It arranges text as parent, child, and subtopic nodes that can be collapsed or expanded, and supports cross-links and Ted Nelson’s transclusion concept. CrossLine also works as a full-text database with a built-in search engine; Lucene can be added as an optional alternative when building the application. Navigation includes search, history, and back/forward controls, with backlinks supported. HTML and CLDX are listed export formats. Precompiled downloads cover Windows and Linux in x86 and x64 versions, plus Mac x64 and M1. The compressed executable can be unpacked and run without installation or special privileges. The README says the Windows build runs on Windows 7 without a separate Microsoft runtime. On Mac, startup requires the context menu’s open command. The project links to a demo repository, provides source-build instructions using LeanQt, and directs support questions to GitHub issues or email. Licenses listed are GPL-2.0 and GPL-3.0.