# Plain Org

> Mobile org mode task and note management with cloud sync. (iPhone/iPad app by Xenodium Ltd..)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/plain-org/id1578965002 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Xenodium Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/304568690)
- Category: Productivity, Developer Tools
- Price: $14.99
- Rating: 4.70/5 from 156 App Store ratings · 105 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 14.0 · 9 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2021-11-10
- Data updated: 2026-08-25
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/plain-org/id1578965002/reviews.md

## What is Plain Org?

View and edit your org mode tasks while on the go.

Org is a wonderfully rich markup language, so **please check** if your favorite feature is supported below (or check https://plainorg.com/#faq):

- Beautifully rendered org markup.
- Filter by keyword, tag, and priority.
- High fidelity org roundtripping.
- Sync your org files using your favorite cloud provider.
- Control your display between regular and compact mode.
- Toggle visibility for scheduling, tags, and stars.
- Toggle recurring tasks.
- Log state transitions.
- Optimize wrapping using paragraph fill.
- Regroup your tasks so active ones bubble up.
- Create new files.
- Outline-style editing with toolbar
  - Keywords
  - Indent
  - Priority
  - Tags
  - Formatting: bold, italic, underline, strikethrough, verbatim, and code.
- Open files via the iOS Files app using its "Share" menu.
- Add links from Safari via share extension.
- Add new tasks via Spotlight.
- Reorder headings via drag/drop.
- Checkboxes
  - Interactive toggling.
  - Quickly reset multiple checkboxes.
- Open local links (including id links).
- Render latex src blocks (experimental).
- Render LOGBOOK.
- Show inline images.
- Show property drawers.
- File-local keywords and visibility.
- Filter open/closed tasks.
- Edit raw text.
- Light/dark mode.
- Open either .org or .txt files.
- Quickly switch between open file and recently open (tap on title).

NOTE: Cloud syncing support varies across providers. Please check for compatibility https://plainorg.com/#cloud-providers

## Key features

- Rendered org markup
- Filter by keyword, tag, priority
- Cloud file syncing
- Outline-style editing
- Interactive checkboxes
- Light/dark mode

## What do users think of Plain Org?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 👍 Clean, intuitive, and minimalist interface
- 🚀 Fast and lightweight performance
- 📝 Excellent for viewing and editing org files on mobile
- 🔄 Seamless sync with iCloud, Dropbox, NextCloud, and Git
- 💪 Robust org-mode implementation with tables and images
- 🎯 Low-friction workflow for quick edits and task management
- 👨‍💻 Responsive and attentive developer
- 💰 One-time payment model (no subscriptions)
- 🎨 Beautiful and polished design
- 📱 Works well on iPhone with native iOS feel

**Cons**

- 🐛 Occasional sync issues on mobile networks
- 🐛 Copy/paste functionality unreliable
- 🐛 Text disappears when closing keyboard
- 📱 Poor iPad experience with no keyboard shortcuts
- 🐛 'What's New' dialog persists when opening via shortcuts
- 🔍 Reliance on Files app for browsing is poor experience
- 🎨 Dark theme contrast too harsh
- ⚠️ Editing broken on recent iOS versions
- 🔗 Roam links don't always resolve
- 📋 Headings always collapse on file open

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Text disappears when closing keyboard without saving
- Copy and paste doesn't work reliably
- Pasting from external sources fails
- Roam links fail to resolve
- 'What's New' dialog won't close when opening files via shortcuts
- Sync hiccups requiring app restart
- File editing impossible on recent iOS versions
- Keyboard features missing in raw text editing mode
- Headings always start collapsed
- App automatically adds logbook entries to todos
- App auto-inserts 'Plain Org' text in new files

**Most requested features**

- Widget support for home screen
- Agenda view across multiple files
- Apple Watch support
- Tag filtering and display
- Schedule/deadline date picker button
- Clock-in/clock-out time tracking
- Template system for new files
- Keyboard shortcuts for iPad
- Refile functionality
- Todo state support
- Color support for text and headers
- Dropbox sync integration
- Animations when opening subheadings
- Settings screen (instead of context menus)
- Fullscreen mode for iPhone
- Table formulas and calculations
- Attached files viewer

## Recent user reviews (10 of 105)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/plain-org/id1578965002/reviews.md

### 2/5 — Great UI and idea, but unusably slow

*2026-07-27, version 1.10.0*

I’d love to give 5/5, but it’s just slow and nonresponsive. I’ve tried with new org files and tried archiving a lot of my running notes and taste, but it just lags at the best of times. The UI is nice and the idea is great, but the execution just doesn’t work for me. I hope it improves!

### 3/5 — Tags are missing though

*2026-05-22*

Edit: Keeps hanging and resets everything typed so far.
Edit: Tags are supported.
It would be nice if one could use the clock-in command in Plain Org to measure passing time on scheduled tasks or headings. E.g. A button to 
[Edit Add Reorder Delete Clock-in]
and a notifier like the round plus to also clock out the currently selected heading there. 
If there is a button for that, I wasn’t able to find it.
Old:
Currently there is no support for tags in the heading.

**Developer response:** Thanks for reviewing!

For tags, long press a heading and select edit. You can add and remove tags.

### 1/5 — Mistake. Waste of money

*2026-04-07, version 1.10.0*

I was wrongly steered to this app. Since it cannot read my repo, it’s a wasted  $12!!!

### 4/5 — No widgets

*2026-01-30, version 1.10.0*

Please add widgets

### 5/5 — Super useful!

*2025-12-22, version 1.10.0*

One of the nicest interfaces, heavily recommend.

### 5/5 — Schöne, leichtgewichtige Org-App

*2025-11-21*

Andere Org-Apps können mehr, aber keine geht so flott von der Hand wie Plain Org. Wenn man nur schnell was filen will oder ein paar Checkboxen antippen geht das hier einfach besser.
Dazu sieht die App gut aus, was will man mehr?

### 5/5 — Great app!

*2025-10-25, version 1.10.0*

Like this app for it simplicity

### 5/5 — Tags are missing though

*2025-10-16, version 1.10.0*

Edit: Tags are supported.
It would be nice if one could use the clock-in command in Plain Org to measure passing time on scheduled tasks or headings. E.g. A button to 
[Edit Add Reorder Delete Clock-in]
and a notifier like the round plus to also clock out the currently selected heading there. 
If there is a button for that, I wasn’t able to find it.
Old:
Currently there is no support for tags in the heading.

### 5/5 — Excellent app!

*2025-09-06, version 1.10.0*

Best org mode viewer on the Apple ecosystem. It’s so much better then the alternatives that the gap alone is worth the $15 for the app

### 5/5 — Good software but currently broken

*2025-08-13, version 1.10.0*

Not sure where to file bug reports. If it’s non-maintained it should be taken off the App Store because currently it’s impossible to edit files with recent iOS updates.

## Frequently asked questions about Plain Org

### What does Plain Org do?

Plain Org allows you to view and edit your org mode tasks and notes on your mobile device. It supports a wide range of org markup features for a rich editing experience and offers cloud syncing to keep your files updated across devices.

### What are the key features of Plain Org?

Key features include beautifully rendered org markup, filtering by keyword, tag, and priority, high fidelity org roundtripping, and syncing your org files with cloud providers. You can also control display modes, toggle visibility for various elements, and edit tasks with an outline-style interface.

### Is Plain Org free to use?

No, Plain Org is a paid application. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements within the app.

### What devices is Plain Org compatible with?

Plain Org is designed for iOS devices. It integrates with the iOS Files app for opening files and offers a share extension for adding links from Safari. New tasks can also be added via Spotlight search.

### What are common use cases for Plain Org?

Common use cases include managing your daily to-do lists, taking notes on the go, organizing project tasks, and maintaining a personal knowledge base using the org mode format. Its cloud syncing capabilities make it ideal for accessing and updating your org files from anywhere.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.10.0 — 2025-02-22

Bugfixes

### 1.9.0 — 2024-09-27

- Fixes keyboard disappearing when tapping on content during inline editing.
- Fixes tapping on heading title to expand/collapse content.

### 1.8.0 — 2024-02-26

- Tap on file title (on navigation bar) to access recent files.
- Render non-pairs in drawers.
- Extend the lifetime of recent files if possible.
- Fixes background flickering in new entry dialog.
- Fixes menu button color.

### 1.7.0 — 2023-07-16

- Can now open .org_archive files.

### 1.6.0 — 2023-04-17

- Fixes source blocks not rendering before headings.

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## More apps by Xenodium Ltd.

- [Flat Habits](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flat-habits/id1558358855)
- [*scratch*](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scratch/id1671420139)
- [Journelly](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/journelly/id6470714669)
- [Mochi Invaders](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mochi-invaders/id6747766176)

All apps by Xenodium Ltd.: https://appshunter.io/developer/304568690

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*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 2026-08-25.*
