As a content creator, are you always worried about how to structure your content in a reasonable and logical way? And that may take up lots of your precious time. Here comes the good news: AI outline generators can be a game-changer! It can help you brainstorm ideas, organize your thoughts, and craft a clear and cohesive flow for any type of content, which saves time for more valuable content creation. This guide discusses the benefits brought by AI outline generators and explores 10 of the best outline generators in 2024, tailored to different needs and budgets.
What to Look for in an Outline Generator?
- AI-powered outlining: This is the core function of AI outline generators. By using AI to analyze your topic and suggest headings, subheadings, and key points, you can have a clear and logical understanding of the content that is to be created.
- Content type specific: Some outline makers specialize in generating outlines for blog posts, vlogs, articles, essays, or other formats. Considering your content type when choosing AI outline generators will make your outline generation process more efficient and specialized.
- Customization options: Many outline makers can refine the outline based on your target audience, goals, and desired length, which can make your outline more specialized and personalized. For those content creators who need to stimulate audiences’ interest with diverse topics and content, it is a useful and suitable function.
- Additional features/Integrations: Most AI outline generators are also equipped with additional functions such as brainstorming tools, content suggestions, or integration with other writing platforms. It can even be your personal AI writing coach who helps you with all kinds of writing problems.
Top 10 Outline Generators
Here are ten AI outline generators for you to choose:
1. Textero AI
Textero AI is an AI writing tool that excels at crafting outlines for academic and professional writing. It can be your reliable AI academic assistant for tasks of any scale. From idea generation and research assistance to text editing and paper summarizing, Textero AI will make your academic journey less stressful.
Key features
- Highly Customizable AI Outline Generator: Textero AI is a wonderful outline maker that supports many types of text. Simply enter your topic and other personal requirements and you will get your own specialized outline.
- A Multitool for Any Academic Task: Textero AI is not only an outline generator but also a useful AI-powered research assistant, PDF and text summarizers, and an essay-writing tool with a built-in AI detector. You can even upload custom sources into the Library and use them during writing.
- Easy to use: Only three steps are needed to generate an outline: prepare your instructions, tell AI what you need, proofread, and edit. Besides, draft and writing can be combined in one place by creating an essay based on the generated outline.
Pros of Textero AI
- Efficient and time-saving: Textero AI can generate an informative outline using minimum information in a few seconds.
- Plagiarism-free and accurate results: Based on authoritative sources, Textero AI is believed to be original and credible.
- Constant improvement and refinement: Textero AI is open to all kinds of feedback and always ready to keep you updated with new functions and features.
Cons of Textero AI
- Limited Citation Formats: Textero AI is now only limited to MLA or APA citation styles.
- Free User Restrictions: Word count, sources, AI questions and document storage are limited every day for free users.
Pricing
- Free plan with basic features
- Pro: $7.08/month per user, paid annually; $16.99/month per user, paid monthly
- Unlimited: $8.33/month per user, paid annually; $19.99/month per user, paid monthly
2. AHelp AI Essay Writer (formerly AHelp AI Outline Generator)
AHelp offers a comprehensive toolkit including an outline generator specifically designed for academic texts. It also includes features like summarization, paraphrasing, and plagiarism checkers.
Key features
- Designed for students, researchers, and academics looking for ideas and structure to start their academic papers.
- Combined with AI paragraph generators, users can create content with the online generated once they get inspiration.
- Backed up by scientific evidence and academic sources.
Pros of AHelp Outline AI Generator
- A tutorial video to get users started, which is clear and easy to understand.
- Rich resources such as editing guides, study blogs and reviews for users to assist your outline generation.
- Equipped with other AI tools related to the whole writing process.
Cons of AHelp Outline AI Generator
- More limited to academic writing.
Pricing
- Free plan with basic features
- Essential: $4.17/month per user, paid annually; $9.95/month per user, paid monthly
- Productive: $8.33/month per user, paid annually; $19.95/month per user, paid monthly
3. ClickUp
ClickUp goes beyond outline generations, offering a project management platform with a built-in AI blog post and article outline generator. ClickUp also provides visual tools like whiteboards for brainstorming and task management for staying on deadlines.
Key features
- Offers various tools ranging from project management and product development to knowledge management and so on
- Serves different fields like operations, IT, marketing, etc
- Integration with other useful products such as Figma, Gsuite, Github
Pros of ClickUp
- Clear guidance including written instructions and video tutorials with human explanations
- Improve collaboration by centralizing project-related communicators in one place
- Various templates suitable for different scenarios are available for selection
Cons of ClickUp
- Comes with limited use cases
Pricing
- Free plan with basic features
- Unlimited: $7/month per user, paid annually; $10/month per user, paid monthly
- Business: $12/month per user, paid annually; $19/month per user, paid monthly
- Enterprise: Contact for pricing
4. Copy.ai
This versatile AI content creation platform includes an outline generator within its vast template library. You can describe your desired content and let Copy.ai suggest an outline along with other content types like social media posts and marketing copy.
Key features
- Specialize in AI Marketing OS and AI Sales OS. Users can power a whole go-to-market with AI.
- Cases, tools, templates and other tutorials are offered to help generate outlines
- The first GTM AI Platform. Pre-built Workflows deliver instant value
Pros of Copy.ai
- High quality data and outputs backed up by 2k+ integrations
- Zero-retention data policy. Ensures you get choice and flexibility across models and that your inputs are never used for training
Cons of Copy.ai
- Priced higher, making it less accessible to casual users
Pricing
- Free plan with basic features
- Starter: $36/month per user, paid annually; $49/month per user, paid monthly
- Advanced: $186/month per user, paid annually; $249/month per user, paid monthly
- Enterprise: Contact for pricing
5. Jasper
A popular AI writing assistant, Jasper offers outline generation and content improvement features. Jasper suggests headings and subheadings to enhance clarity and readability, streamlining your content creation workflow. Collaboration tools and integration options make Jasper ideal for teams.
Key features
- Augments team’s process and outputs with AI assistant and scientific knowledge
- Keeps information updated to develop an AI strategy with rich resources
- Flexible working time with key integrations, browser extensions and a robust API
Pros of Jasper
- Edit and compare content at any time
- Templates are provided for various needs
- Security and data piracy are protected
Cons of Jasper
- Might be pricey for beginners
Pricing
- Free trial with basic features
- Creator: $39/month per user, paid annually; $49/month per user, paid monthly
- Pro: $59/month per user, paid annually; $69//month per user, paid monthly
- Business: Contact for pricing
6. Writesonic
This AI writing platform offers an outline generator alongside long-form content creation and marketing copywriting features. Writesonic helps you create outlines for various content formats and includes a plagiarism checker for peace of mind.
Key features
- Equipped with updated AI algorithms
- SEO content optimization
- Supports up to 30 languages
Pros of Writesonic
- Templates are provided for reference
- Integration with other important tools for better performance
- Clear interface for better understanding
Cons of Writesonic
- Needs time to get used to the AI working mode
Pricing
- Free trial with basic features
- Pro: $19/month per user
- Business: Contact for pricing
7. Surfer
While not solely focused on outlines, Surfer includes an AI content planner that generates topic outlines optimized for search engines. This is ideal for bloggers and content creators aiming for a high search ranking.
Key features
- Specializes in AI article outline generation
- Supports multiple languages
- Equipped with plagiarism checker
Pros of Surfer
- Clear steps helping users generate outlines
- Works with most languages
- Templates are provided to inspire outline generations
Cons of Surfer
- Limited to AI content creation and SEO optimization
Pricing
- Free trial with basic features
- Essential: $69/month per user, paid annually; $89/month per user, paid monthly
- Scale: $99/month per user, paid annually; $129//month per user, paid monthly
- Scale AI: $179/month per user, paid annually; $219//month per user, paid monthly
- Enterprise: Contact for pricing
8. Rytr
This user-friendly AI writing tool boasts an outline generator alongside a variety of content creation features. You can choose from multiple templates and writing tones to create outlines for various content types.
Key features
- Shapes the mood of the content by utilizing different kinds of tones
- Cases are provided for references
- Outputs in multiple languages
Pros of Rytr
- Saves time and money on outline generation
- Avoid copywriting with the help of an AI outline generator
- Cheaper than other AI outline generators with free plans included
Cons of Rytr
- Limited content editing function and tutorials
Pricing
- Free trial with basic features
- Unlimited: $7.5/month per user, paid annually; $9/month per user, paid monthly
- Premium: $24.6/month per user, paid annually; $29//month per user, paid monthly
9. Clearscope
Another SEO-focused content creation platform, Clearscope offers an AI-powered content brief builder that essentially functions as an outline generator. Enter your target keyword and Clearscope generates an outline with key points and content suggestions optimized for search engines.
Key features
- Easy-to-use integrations for better workflows
- Specialized customer support is offered
- Focus on traffic-driven content generation
Pros of Clearscope
- Provides free training for customers
- Clear interface for better understanding and operations
- Improves teamwork efficiency and saves time
Cons of Clearscope
- No free trial for beginners
Pricing
- Essentials: $189/month per user
- Business: $399/month per user,
- Enterprise: Contact for pricing
10. StoryLab.ai
If you’re a fiction writer, StoryLab.ai provides a unique AI outlining tool specifically designed for crafting compelling story structures. Develop plotlines, character arcs, and scene outlines to streamline your novel or screenplay writing process.
Key features
- Focuses on generating outlines from videos, books and social media
- Highly customization ranging from length, channel, tone of voice, etc.
Pros of toryLab.ai
- Tutorial videos and useful resources are provided
- Saves time by generating outlines, emails and blogs in a few seconds
Cons of toryLab.ai
- Limited functions for free users
Pricing
- Free trial with basic features
- Monthly billing: $19/month per user
- Annually billing: $183/year per user
Comparison Chart: Best Outline Generators at a Glance
Here's a comprehensive chart comparing the above-discussed AI outline generators:
Feature | Focus | Key Features | Pricing |
Textero AI | Academic & Professional | Highly Customizable, Research Assistant | Free, Pro ($7.08/mo), Unlimited ($8.33/mo) |
AHelp Outline AI | Academic | Designed for Academics | Free, Essential ($4.17/mo), Productive ($8.33/mo) |
ClickUp | Project Management & Content | Built-in Blog Outline Generator, Visual Tools | Free, Unlimited ($7/mo), Business ($12/mo) |
Copy.ai | Marketing & Sales | Outline Generator, Marketing Templates | Free, Starter ($36/mo), Advanced ($186/mo) |
Jasper | AI Writing Assistant | Outline Generation, Content Improvement | Free Trial, Creator ($39/mo), Pro ($59/mo) |
Writesonic | Marketing Copywriting | Outline Generator, Long-Form Content | Free Trial, Short-Form ($10/mo), Long-Form ($13/mo) |
Surfer | SEO Content Planning | AI Content Planner | Free Trial, Essential ($69/mo), Scale ($99/mo) |
Rytr | General Content Creation | Outline Generator, Multiple Templates | Free Trial, Unlimited ($7.50/mo), Premium ($24.60/mo) |
Clearscope | SEO Content Creation | AI Content Brief Builder | Essentials ($189/mo), Business ($399/mo) |
StoryLab.ai | Story Writing | Plot, Character & Scene Outlines | Free Trial, Monthly ($19/mo), Annual ($183/year) |
In a Nutshell
AI outline generators can be an asset for content creators of all stripes. By leveraging these tools, you can overcome writer’s block, brainstorm better ideas, and organize your content for maximum impact. Consider the specific features and functionalities offered by each platform to find the best fit for your needs and writing style.
FAQ about the Outline Generators
1. Are AI outline generators free?
Most of these AI outline generators offer free plans with limited functions for new users. You can select the AI outline generator according to your budget, needs and using habits. And it is better to use the free trial before you choose to pay for these AI outline generators.
2. What type of content can I create outlines for with these tools?
You can create almost all types of content with these outline makers. Each tool has its own specialized field, StoryLab.ai focuses more on the story, while Jasper centralizes on marketing; just find out the best one that suits your needs.
3. Do I need to be a professional writer to use an AI outline generator?
There is no need to be a professional writer to use these AI outline generators. Because all these tools offer guidance, even tutorial videos to show you how to use them. Normally, these tools are easy to use and only take you a few clicks to generate new outlines.
4. Will an AI outline generator write my content for me?
It depends on the tools. Some tools, like Surfer can write you the whole content, while the others only help to generate outlines for you. It has inevitable limitations, so it is recommended to add personal insights based on the outline and ideas provided by AI outline generators.
5. What are some of the limitations of AI outline generators?
While AI outline generators are powerful tools, it's important to remember they have limitations. The quality of the output depends on the quality of the information you provide. Additionally, AI-generated outlines might lack the nuance and creativity of a human writer. It's recommended to use the outline as a starting point and add your own unique insights and voice to the content.