# Outline: Powerful Notes — user reviews > 50 indexed App Store user reviews of Outline by GORILLIZED CORPORATION, rated 3.59/5 from 104 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/outline-powerful-notes/id538029496/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/outline-powerful-notes/id538029496.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 48 · 4★ 18 · 3★ 9 · 2★ 9 · 1★ 21 ## Newest reviews (17 of 50) ### 2/5 — No Updates *2022-12-14, version 3.2205.0* The app has potential, but I do not think anyone is updating it. First, it keeps crashing every time I paste something from another app. Next, it has no video ability. Lastly, if you have a background color and erase something, you will be erasing the background color also. I really like to the way it looks, but cannot use it for teaching until these problems are resolved. ### 2/5 — Desktop app pretending to be a mobile app *2022-08-28, version 3.2205.0* This is a desktop app, it has in no way been properly optimized or reworked for a mobile experience. It basically works as a less feature rich version of OneNote, but with a bunch of scaling issues and poor navigation. Also has serious problems with common functions like selecting text. I could only select and copy 3 or so sections before the prompt just wouldn’t show up anymore and I had to restart the app. Overall not worth the money, if the developer actually cared they’d offer a free trial so you could see how it works. I requested my money back immediately. ### 3/5 — Crashing *2022-08-08, version 3.2205.0* I just purchased the app for my iPad and every time I click on the app it doesn’t open it just goes back to the home page. I have it on my Mac and it works great. Not sure if this can be fixed but I would love to have on my iPad as well. ### 4/5 — Great Product! *2022-03-23, version 3.2110.1* After an update from OneNote, I was looking for alternative, and I found Outline. Before downloading, I was nervous because of some of the reviews, but after several days of using the product for myself, I think it deserves a lot more credit. As someone who is nostalgic, the interface is the first thing that grabs my attention since I am not a fan of where design is going in general with software. The UI has nice contrast, it is easy to navigate, and everything about it is very intuitive. Unlike the iPad version of OneNote, I am able to indent pages without having to go online or use OneNote from another device. I am also able to create long lengths of text, bullet points, bullet point icons, and even attach PDFs. I was having trouble with selecting and moving PDF attachments, but just any product involves time to learn, I realized that there was an option to unattached it from the background. The only criticism I have, which is why I am giving it 4 stars instead of five, is that it does not look like I can rename notebooks or reorder pages. I can rename pages and reorder notebooks, but not the other way around. This is inconvenient because mistakes can occur, and re-editing needs to be done without having to delete and start over. It is not clear to me the proper work around for this. But aside from that, I highly recommend this product to others. Great job! ### 3/5 — WebDAV sync doesn’t work *2021-11-12, version 3.2110.1* It would be such a great app if the WebDAV sync feature actually worked. It will open the notebook from a WebDAV location fine. Then it just breaks, unable to sync any changes. Other than that, the app is great. Unfortunately the sync feature is a major issue as it makes the app unusable without it. I believe the issue is the fact that it needs to download the entire notebook when you make any changes and then re-upload it. PLEASE fix this issue and it will be a 5 star app! ### 4/5 — PLEASE work on an update *2021-07-15, version 3.2106.1* This app would be so great. But please bring it back to 2021: - PLEASE add handwriting support on iPhone! - PLEASE add proper Apple Pencil support for iPad. The current mode feels so off as compared to GoodNotes (I still want to use Outline because I like the concept better). For example to write only with pen and scroll with fingers - PLEASE add “add space” functionality - please make it easy to create new space at the bottom of a page - please consider adding an AppleWatch app ... the killer would be to have the most important notes always with you and to be able to quickly jot down notes without phone ### 4/5 — Works for me *2021-06-21, version 3.2105.2* This app works for me. Glad to see the developer doing some fixes. ### 2/5 — It displays a blank screen for iCloud *2021-04-12, version 3.2103.2* I keep all my notebooks on iCloud for use mainly on my MacBook and Mac mini. IOS app doesn’t seem to even try to open iCloud-just a blank screen. I’ve been using Notebook for a long time, guess I’ll need to check out other apps.... ### 4/5 — Giving 4 stars for the first new update *2020-05-08, version 3.23.0* Keep updating to get 5 stars in the future. ### 2/5 — Probably good for the average student but grad students/professional students I wouldn’t recommend *2020-04-29, version 3.21.5* The app crashes a lot, the annotating function with the pen is pretty laggy and doesn’t discriminate between your hand and pen very well. It can’t handle large documents well. ### 4/5 — Sync *2020-03-10, version 3.21.5* Sync between computer and iPod/iPhone need some improvement, please. ### 2/5 — Cannot render writing made in regular OneNote *2019-06-19, version 3.21.5* I had high hopes for this app, having used OneNote on desktop for years. Unfortunately it suffers many shortcomings compared to Microsoft’s iPad OneNote app and doesn’t offer any upsides. Perhaps the most glaring issue is that if you have inked notes made in OneNote (iPad app), the ink doesn’t render in Outline. That alone makes this app useless. As a minor point, there isn’t any way to show ruled lines like in the iPad OneNote app. I had further hoped it might support audio recording time stamped to the note as desktop OneNote does, but it doesn’t appear to do that either. At this point, I see no reason to waste $10 here when OneNote for iPad is free and does a better job. ### 3/5 — Great app but *2019-04-09, version 3.21.5* Great app but needs more apple pencil optimization. When I try to write with the apple pencil 1 the lines comes very slow which is annoying. Please fix this and I will give 5 Stars. Keep up the good work. ### 1/5 — Total waste of money *2019-02-27, version 3.21.5* This app is so far behind OneNote. The developer makes it sound as though it easily will migrate your OneNote files into it. Not so. I use OneNote with SharePoint. This app gets totally lost trying to migrate files. Apple should not even have this app in the App Store! It’s a joke compared to OneNote. Don’t waste your money. ### 2/5 — Feature Request *2019-01-25, version 3.21.5* Can you integrate with the iOS files app? ### 1/5 — Horrible *2019-01-12, version 3.21.5* Crashes frequently, deletes work from what I have written, and doesn’t sync well with OneNote (the reason I bought it). In fact, it corrupted my entire notebook when I tried to sync it last and I lost data. I would like a refund because this is a piece of junk for $10. ### 3/5 — Please update *2018-10-12, version 3.21.5* It doesn’t support the new feature of ios12, especially for the workflow. Please update it. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — What’s the point? *2022-01-08, version 3.2110.1* It lacks even the basic features of the standard OneNote, not to mention other useful features such as multiple window, palm rejection etc etc. ### 1/5 — Lost my data *2021-10-26, version 3.2109.1* I updated the app and now it doesn’t even open. ### 1/5 — Unstable... keeps crashing *2021-03-30, version 3.2101.1* I have had this program since it early days. The platform is no longer stable and crashes. ### 1/5 — Needs a major overhaul *2021-03-23, version 3.2101.1* This used to be my favorite app but now it’s my least favorite. The handwriting recognition is awful. It makes my beautiful handwriting look like chicken scratch. Seriously guys. You can do better. Goodnotes has eaten your lunch. ### 1/5 — Extremely Buggy App *2021-03-11, version 3.2101.1* So many bugs in this app, it’s ridiculous. Very frustrating to use. ### 1/5 — I had high hopes but *2020-01-27, version 3.21.5* Where is outline+? Where is v3.7? Where is the option to link Livescribe pen? All the above are listed as features on the website. Where are they? I’ve had the most difficult time trying to find an app that can create a simple outline using handwriting (Apple Pencil) but this one says Livescribe 3 pen is compatible. So I paid for this, clicked on everything I can find, Synched to iCloud and blah blah blah. No option to sync with either Livescribe or Apple Pen. No option to upgrade to Outline+ (which I already did a while ago) No explanations or built in help/support. I wrote to customer support for help. I received a cheery autobot reply addressed to Bill”. My name is Jane. 😔 ### 1/5 — Worst app and lost my important images *2020-01-18, version 3.21.5* I have been used this app for 3 years but only recently found a fatal issue!! Some of my images are lost and cannot be restored! However beautiful the design is, this app is useless and ruined part of my most valuable notes during those years!!! ### 1/5 — A (Poorly) Mixed Bag *2019-09-12, version 3.21.5* As an outline tool, this app is great. As an app, it is terrible. For starters, all of the content in the user guide is linked and none of the links work. So, if you buy this app, be prepared to not have a user guide. Stay away from this one. If you can resist the temptation, be prepared to ask for your money back. ### 1/5 — Maybe I'm Just Not Figuring this Out *2019-06-19, version 3.21.5* For some reason when I try to read the User Guide that's included within the app, none of the links actually work like links. It seems like this might be a lovely app if I could only figure out how to work the darn thing. Would love for the developers to weigh in. I'll happily change my review once I can actually get it to work. And also, having only spent a small time with this app, maybe I'm not finding this feature yet... But if there's no way to export my notebook as a text file then I've wasted 10 bucks. ### 1/5 — Wow *2019-06-08, version 3.21.5* I was super excited to find a OneNote companion / replacement that actually has a tab book feel. YOU CAN’T MOVE THE TABS IN THE ORDER YOU WANT THEM. YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME.............. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Love it. *2020-02-02, version 3.21.5* Works seamlessly with my laptop, iPad, and iPhone. Does everything I need. Couldn’t be happier! ### 5/5 — Better than OneNote in Two Important Ways *2019-08-17, version 3.21.5* I have been using Outliner by CarbonFin on my IOS devices for many years. Its simplicity and reliability are brilliant. If you want to make simple text outlines, this software’s intentional, limited scope makes it far better than the more complex alternatives. I have dozens of different Outliner documents, from shopping lists to travel logs to conference notes, but it doesn’t do images or hot links. I’ve been trying OneNote and Outline for the last couple of months, and the verdict is in: Outline is the clear winner, for a two reasons: 1. In the left column of Notebooks, you can create Groups, or hierarchies - collapsable groups within groups - as any outliner should. Each item within the group can then have its own Sections and Pages, like OneNote, which can be indented and easily rearranged, but not collapsed, as needed. In a sense, OneNote is a 3-column spreadsheet where you can “focus” on a single cell and its sub-items, but it’s not really an outliner. Rearranging the Notebook sub-groups in Outline is clunky: you have to cut and paste. But the fact that this software has true outline capabilities more than compensates for this inconvenience. 2. The other significant fact is that Outline is FAST. If you create a complex collection of notes and images in OneNote, the way it saves to the cloud often means a lengthy wait when you open the document. Outline’s method invisibly saves to iCloud and seems always ready to go. Bonus reason: when you clip from a web page and paste into Outline, it automatically inserts the URL! I still may use OneNote for simple lists needing images and links, but Outline is now my go-to for heavy lifting. ### 5/5 — Great app *2019-02-19, version 3.21.5* I am happy that there is a iphone app for outliner I have been enjoying using outliner app for Mac OS , Actually I was looking for alternative app for circus ponies notebook app , And here I finally found it ! It sync well with ios ~! 🙂! Waiting for more better feature to come on next Update ! ### 5/5 — Best *2018-03-26, version 3.21.4* One of the best app if you are core apple user ### 5/5 — Love this App!!! *2018-01-28, version 3.21.4* This is possibly the best little notebook app I have ever seen! I used this app all throughout nursing school and it helped me keep my notes so organized!! Attach a little keyboard to your iPad and you have the best mini laptop and easy to use digital notebook. I loved that within each notebook you could have different subjects with as many pages as you wanted. I also love how you can attach the image straight into the note and place it wherever you want. The drawing feature is also awesome! Teacher draws something on the board I could either draw it myself right with the app or I could take a picture on my iPad of what she drew and place the picture within the note!! BEST NOTE TAKING APP EVER!! Also the app syncs itself with wherever else you have your app like your phone.. So if you leave your iPad at home then you can study your notes from your phone (or even take notes on your phone) I only wish I could download it for my MacBook also. ### 5/5 — Artist / Designer *2017-08-06, version 3.21.1* As a creative professional I need a centralized location where I can keep sketches, research notes, reference material, PDFs, images, etc. Outline fits my needs perfectly. I will enthusiastically tell others about this app! Well Done Outline team. Don't stop your great work. Also, tell Apple they need to amp up your presence on the App Store!!! ### 5/5 — Great application *2017-07-06, version 3.21.1* Outline is a great compliment to One Note in Microsoft. It works seamlessly across the IOS platforms and with One Note, so notes taken on one device are available on other devices. It has great functionality for my needs and I use it almost every day for personal journaling and keeping track of other things. ### 5/5 — Perfect App *2012-10-21, version 2.2* Using OneNote 2007 for my business; to keep keep track of client information, manage documents, project status, etc. I've been waiting for almost a year (since I got my iPad 2) for someone to make this app. It works with OneNote 2007 exactly as advertised. I've been using Dropbox for a long time to store my OneNote files so I can access them from anywhere. With this app it's just like I have OneNote with me. All my files AND attachments are there AND I can open any of them so long as I have a reader app for the file type. With OneNote 2007 this app only opens and reads notes; can't edit notes created on my desktop, but that's a limitation I can live with for now. I may upgrade to OneNote 2013 once it stable and tested real-time for a while. OneNote was made for taking notes and touch screens, why Microsoft never ported it to the iOS is a mystery, but this app is the cat's meow! ### 5/5 — Fantastic! *2012-10-06, version 2.2* I just setup Outline+ to work with Dropbox and I am really impressed. I am a long time OneNote user. i use it mainly for teaching duties (lesson planning, curriculum, meeting notes, etc) and have just recently began using it to manage organizational notes on members. I have been following this app for a while but have held out from buying it due to cost. I wish I had done so earlier! This is an app which is well worth the price. I embed PDFs frequently in my notes and the fact that this app not only renders them but searches them is outstanding. While there are a couple of features I'd love to see added (creating tables is the biggie, and like everyone else I'd love to see ink and the promised SkyDrive support) it is more than functional for what I need and want to do. The UI is very intuitive and while the guide needs to be updated a little to reflect more recent version changes, it is still very thorough. Other than some native Apple and Google apps, this is the best non-game app on my iPad. Highly recommended. ### 5/5 — Outline+ Productivity App *2012-10-04, version 2.2* I am not a review writer, typically. But this application has changed the way I work and organize so it has earned positive feedback from me. Plainly stated, this is the best application I own on my iPad 3. I have created several notebooks to organize my work, notes, and to-do lists. Each notebook can be divided into sections, and further into pages. The organization scheme is intuitive, very easy to use, and integrates seamlessly with my Microsoft OneNote on my Windows PC workstation. I am able to select which notebooks I'd like to sync with my free Dropbox account. The dropbox syncing is great with the wireless philosophy of iPad. I can then open my files in Dropbox using OneNote. I attended a software conference this week with my iPad. I created a notebook in Outline+, with a section for each subject I attended. I could type notes and when there was a slide or demo I could snap a photo from within the application that would then be pasted in compressed-size right in the notes. This works so much better than hand-cramping pen and paper. This application has transformed my iPad 3 into a serious business productivity tool. Congratulations to the developers of Outline+ for creating a great tool, and making it easy to plug it into our busy lives. --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*