CrossLine vs Legend
CrossLine
github.com
Legend
legendapp.comSide by side
| Figure | CrossLine | Legend |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $5/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 4 |
| Spec score · Outliner Software | 8.6 (#5) | 8.3 (#11) |
| Organization | It organizes text into nodes arranged in parent–child topic and subtopic relationships, with outlines that can be collapsed or expanded. | Users can create Boards with multiple Panes for different work areas and switch between contexts. |
| Support | The author directs users to the GitHub issue list or to email for support, issues, and feature requests. | Legend offers email support and directs users to its forum for bug reports and feature requests. |
Plans
In their own words
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.
Legend
Legend brings notes, documents, tasks, email, files, outlines, and projects into one productivity interface. Users organize work in Boards made up of Panes, which provide separate work areas and context switching. Panes can show Outline, grouped, List, or Calendar views, and filters can use prefixes, item contents, words, or tags. Writing features include Markdown, formatting hotkeys, backlinks, and mirrors that connect notes with tasks. The Agenda view sorts tasks by priority and date. Legend says it syncs in real time across devices and collaborators, works offline, and resolves changes after devices reconnect. Its privacy policy describes client-side encryption before item data syncs to Firebase, with optional password encryption. The Free plan costs nothing and includes 10 Panes, one plugin sync account, and unlimited documents and items. Basic costs $5 a month billed annually; Pro costs $9 a month billed annually. The Browser Pane is not available in the mobile app, though saved links can open in a browser.