CrossLine vs Workflowy
CrossLine
github.com
Workflowy
workflowy.comSide by side
| Figure | CrossLine | Workflowy |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $6.99/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 5 |
| Spec score · Outliner Software | 8.6 (#5) | 8.3 (#12) |
| Organization | It organizes text into nodes arranged in parent–child topic and subtopic relationships, with outlines that can be collapsed or expanded. | Users can nest items to organize content, zoom into a bullet to focus, and search the document in real time. |
| Platforms | The project lists precompiled downloads for Windows x86 and x64, Linux x86 and x64, and Mac x64 and M1. | web,windows,macos,linux,ios,android,chrome_extension |
| Support | The author directs users to the GitHub issue list or to email for support, issues, and feature requests. | Workflowy directs users with questions to [email protected]. |
Plans
Workflowy
- BasicFree
- Pro$6.99 a month
- Pro (annual billing)$6.99 a month
- Workflowy Teams$6.99 a month
- Pro (monthly billing)$8.99 a month
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.
Workflowy
Workflowy is a note-taking app built around one expandable document and list. Users can nest items, focus on a bullet by zooming into it, and search across the document in real time. A bullet can become a checkbox, heading, board or table. Tags, dates, backlinks, mirrors and templates help connect or reuse material. Workflowy says it saves automatically and synchronizes across devices. Its API can read and write Workflowy data for apps, scripts and automations. Users can also enable multi-factor authentication with an authenticator-app code and recovery codes. The free Basic plan includes 100 nodes per month and 100 MB of uploads; reaching the node limit brings up a subscription prompt, though users can continue adding nodes. Pro lists unlimited nodes and uploads at $6.99 per month billed annually or $8.99 per month billed monthly. The annual option lists a seven-day trial. Workflowy supports web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android, and lists a Chrome extension. Its integrations include Readwise, Kindle Highlights, Google Calendar, Zapier and Workflowy Desktop MCP.