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MemPad vs outl

MemPad

horstmuc.de

outl

outl.app

Side by side

FigureMemPadoutl
Price fromFreeFree
Free planYesYes
Free trial——
Open source—Yes
WindowsYesYes
macOS—Yes
Linux—Yes
iOS—Yes
Android—Yes
API—Yes
Self-hosted—Yes
Plans published22
Spec score · Outliner Software7.6 (#22)8.5 (#8)
SupportHelp is provided as a MemPad file in English, and the maker lists an email address for contact.Users are directed to Discord for questions and GitHub issues for bugs.

Plans

MemPad

  • FreewarePrice not published
  • MemPadFree

MemPad pricing →

outl

  • FreeFree
  • Free foreverFree

outl pricing →

In their own words

MemPad

MemPad has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.

Visit horstmuc.de

outl

outl is a free, local-first outliner and bullet-point note app that stores plain Markdown files on disk. Its nested blocks, wiki-style links, backlinks, tags, and daily journal support structured note-taking. Stable block IDs and metadata are kept in sidecar files rather than the Markdown notes. Notes can be edited offline, and devices on the same Wi-Fi can sync directly without internet; device syncing uses peer-to-peer end-to-end encryption and does not require an account or cloud. Markdown code blocks can run Python, JavaScript, Lua, and Rust, with Lisp available behind a build flag. An MCP server lets compatible hosts including Claude, Cursor, Zed, and ChatGPT read and write local notes. Native desktop builds are listed for macOS, Linux, and Windows, alongside iOS TestFlight and Android APK beta builds. The product is pre-1.0, and the download page describes builds as public beta. The macOS desktop DMG is currently unsigned. An optional Docker deployment can run an always-on peer with a full replica of notes. Export formats include Markdown, JSON, and Hugo; navigation includes search, a fuzzy switcher, and a command palette.

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