Org mode
Org mode is a structured text format and GNU Emacs mode for work that can span notes, task planning, time tracking, code, and publishing.
What Org mode is
Org mode is a structured text format and GNU Emacs mode for work that can span notes, task planning, time tracking, code, and publishing. Its task tools cover TODO states, priorities, deadlines, scheduled tasks, tags, clocking, and customizable agendas. Documents are organized into nested sections that can be folded or opened with a keystroke, and tables support formulas, references, and CSV or TSV imports. Org Babel runs source blocks in more than 80 languages, while export options include HTML, LaTeX, ODT, Markdown, and iCalendar. Org can also publish projects made up of multiple Org files and resources. Org Capture can collect structured information from Emacs and other applications, including web browsers and PDF viewers. The complete feature set is exclusive to GNU Emacs; Org is included with Emacs distributions and can also be installed through package management or its Git repository. It is free, with third-party tools for Android, iOS, and the web. Org Crypt encrypts entry text, but not headlines or properties.
Good
- Tracks deadlines, scheduled tasks, priorities, and time.
- Folds nested sections for structured editing.
- Runs code blocks in more than 80 languages.
- Exports to HTML, LaTeX, ODT, Markdown, and more.
Watch out
- Full feature set is exclusive to GNU Emacs.
- Stable versions target recent Emacs releases, not older ones.
- Org Crypt leaves headlines and properties unencrypted.
- Mailing-list support may take up to one month.
Who it suits
Org suits GNU Emacs users who want one text-based workflow for planning, notes, time tracking, literate programming, or publishing. Third-party tools provide ways to work with Org files on Android, iOS, and the web.
Verdict
Org mode brings outlining, task planning, code execution, and publishing into a plain-text workflow. Its full capabilities depend on GNU Emacs, and its encryption does not cover headlines or properties.
The facts
Each one read from Org mode's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Capture
- Org Capture can collect structured information from Emacs and other applications, including web browsers and PDF viewers.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Code and literate programming
- Org Babel executes and combines source blocks across languages, and the site says Org supports over 80 languages.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Code and notebooks
- Org Babel runs code blocks and supports more than 80 languages for literate programming.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Compatibility limit
- Org stable versions are intended to be compatible with the last three stable Emacs versions, but not older versions.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Extensibility
- Org supports custom link types and resolving functions, including links to files on remote machines through Tramp.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Format
- Org mode is a structured plain text format designed for workflows ranging from notes and markup to literate programs.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Installation
- Org is included in GNU Emacs distributions; users can also install it through Emacs package management or clone its Git repository.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The site says Org works with Pandoc, and links to third-party mobile and browser tools that support Org files.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Outlining
- Org documents use nested, collapsible sections that can be folded or unfolded with a keystroke.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Project license
- The Org website says it is licensed under GNU FDL 1.3; the pages reviewed do not specify a product pricing plan.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Publishing
- Org can export documents to formats including HTML, LaTeX and ODT, and can publish projects containing multiple Org files and resources.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Release support
- Org 9.8 dropped support for Emacs 26 and 27 and states compatibility with the latest Emacs release and the two versions before it.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Security
- Org Crypt can encrypt entry text using Emacs EasyPG and GnuPG, but it does not encrypt headlines or properties.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Structured editing
- Org documents use nested, collapsible sections that can be folded or unfolded with a keystroke.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The Org community provides support through its mailing list, and the project says replies can sometimes take over a month.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Tables
- Org tables support formulas and references, and can import CSV and TSV data.checked 4 Oct 2026
- What it is
- Org is a flexible structured plain text format and a mode for GNU Emacs.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Who it is for
- The feature set includes task planning, time tracking, note taking, literate programming and document publishing.checked 4 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Emacs integration
- The full set of Org features is exclusive to GNU Emacs; Org is included in GNU Emacs distributions.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Third-party apps
- The official tools directory lists third-party Org file apps for Android, iOS, and web, including Orgzly Revived, MobileOrg, Orgro, and Organice.checked 4 Oct 2026
Money
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2026
- Task planning
- Org supports TODO states, priorities, deadlines, scheduled tasks, tags, clocking and customizable agendas.checked 4 Oct 2026
Alternatives to Org mode
- 1
Dynalist
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Legend
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