Comparison

Zavala vs Mind Exporter

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Zavala

This app offers a modern approach to outlining, providing a full suite of features. It supports gestures, keyboard shortcuts, and multiple windows for efficient organization and content creation. Easily import and export in various formats, sync across devices, and customize your outlining experience.

Highlights
  • OPML Import & Export
  • Markdown Export
  • iCloud Syncing & Sharing
  • Nested Tags
  • Image Embedding
  • Keyboard Shortcuts
  • Drag and Drop
Features
Read full description

Zavala is a modern take on a traditional outliner. It is a full featured app. It takes full advantage of your device by leveraging gestures, keyboard shortcuts, and multiple windows. Other features: * OPML import & export * Markdown import & export * HTML import & export * iCloud syncing * iCloud sharing with other iCloud users * Encrypted outlines and encrypted iCloud sync * Nested Tags for organizing Outlines * Support for embedding images * Print support * Drag and drop * Text formatting * Links * Completed items * Notes * Customizable fonts and sizes * Backlinks * Shortcuts support * Web clipper share extension * Typewriter scrolling * Automatic row numbering including Decimal and Legal numbering

About

Mind Exporter

Features
Read full description

Mind Exporter turns mind maps and outlines into files you can read, share, and keep in Files. Import XMind, FreeMind, OPML, and Markdown outlines. Review your import history, choose an export format, and keep every exported file organized in the Files app. Export to TXT, Markdown, Word, or Excel. When exporting to Excel, each map becomes its own worksheet and every topic is placed in the column that matches its hierarchy level. Your source files, import records, and exports stay in the app's Files folder for easy access.

Screenshots

Zavala2 screens
Mind Exporter1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Mind Exporter at 15.0 against Zavala's 26.0. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Zavala ships an update every 2 weeks, Mind Exporter every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Zavala versus Mind Exporter: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterZavalaMind Exporter
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (70 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews87.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings70 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, MaciPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS26.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size19 MB11 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVincode, IncJiangsu Mingbin Jingzhi Technology Co., Ltd

Bugs and requests

Zavala

Reported bugs

9 issues
  • Broken sync between iPhone and Mac
  • iCloud database incompatibility
  • Unable to format using toolbar
  • Lost outline after update
  • Sidebar not available
Show 4 more
  • Cannot open outlines from Document Provider
  • App crashes on M1
  • IME input ignored in body text (Japanese)
  • Abstürze beim Anlegen des ersten Dokuments (M1)

Requested features

15 requests
  • Continue releasing macOS builds for older versions
  • Legacy database option for iOS apps
  • Cross-platform support
  • Ability to change tag and outline list order manually
  • Support for hiding notes
Show 10 more
  • Typewriter scroll mode
  • Due dates on the right of the note
  • Font color change
  • Multi-select for dragging
  • Copy and paste lines
  • Option to use system fonts
  • Full screen document view with swipe gesture
  • Adjust line spacing
  • Improve drag and drop behavior on Mac
  • Sync via Nextcloud

Mind Exporter

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Zavala

No in-app purchases

None

Mind Exporter

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Zavala free?
Zavala is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Mind Exporter free?
Mind Exporter is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Zavala or Mind Exporter have ads?
Neither Zavala nor Mind Exporter shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Zavala or Mind Exporter?
Zavala ships an update every 2 weeks, and Mind Exporter every 3 weeks. Most recently, Zavala was updated on November 3, 2026 and Mind Exporter on November 10, 2026.

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