Freedom251 › Outliner Software
Bike Outliner
What Bike Outliner is
Bike Outliner is a Mac app for outlining, writing, organizing notes, lists, and documents. Outlines can include headings, ordered lists, task lists, and other row types, while a rich text editor handles formatting. Full-screen, typewriter, and focus modes offer different ways to keep attention on writing. Navigation includes focus-heading keyboard movement, back and forward controls, breadcrumbs, and inline buttons; deep links to outline sections continue to work if a file is moved or renamed. Bike uses an HTML-based .bike format and supports .opml and .txt files, as well as Markdown. It can print outlines and make Quick Look previews and Finder thumbnails. Scripts, Shortcuts, and AppleScript can control the app and connect it with other applications. Free mode does not expire and covers core reading, writing, and editing, while additional row types, rich text formatting, Shortcut Actions, and AppleScript require a purchase. Subscriptions cost $2.99 a month or $19.99 a year; both unlock all features while active. The app requires macOS 11 or later.
Who it suits
Bike Outliner suits Mac users who want an outlining tool for writing, notes, lists, and documents. It may also fit people who value keyboard navigation, focus modes, or scripting integrations.
What it does well
- Free mode does not expire.
- Supports .bike, .opml, and .txt files.
- Offers full-screen, typewriter, and focus modes.
- Scripts, Shortcuts, and AppleScript can control the app.
What to know first
- Requires macOS 11 or later.
- Some row types and formatting require purchase.
- Monthly and yearly licenses unlock features only while active.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free mode | Core features; can read, write, and edit outlines; purchase needed for listed features | Free |
| Bike License – Yearly | Unlocks all Bike features while subscription is active | $19.99 a year |
| Bike License – Monthly | Unlocks all Bike features while subscription is active | $2.99 a month |
| One-Time Purchase License (Hog Bay Software) | One-time purchase; includes one year of updates; renewal for another year of updates is 50% off · Unlocks all Bike features | On request |
As hogbaysoftware.com lists them, read 7 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Bike Outliner combines outlining, writing, navigation, and automation features for macOS. Free mode covers core outline editing, while several listed capabilities require a paid license.
Facts from Bike Outliner's own pages
- Automation
- Scripts, Shortcuts, and AppleScript can control Bike and integrate it with other applications. · hogbaysoftware.com, 7 Oct 2026
- File formats
- Bike uses an HTML-based .bike format and also supports .opml and .txt files. · hogbaysoftware.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Focus modes
- It offers full screen, typewriter, and focus modes for distraction-free writing. · hogbaysoftware.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Free-mode limits
- Free mode never expires and includes core features for reading, writing, and editing outlines; row types, rich text formatting, Shortcut Actions, and AppleScript are among the features listed as requiring purchase. · hogbaysoftware.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Links
- Deep links into outlines continue working when the outline file is renamed or moved. · hogbaysoftware.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Maker
- Hog Bay Software is run by Jesse Grosjean, who says he has run it since 2004 and builds mostly Mac software for writing and thinking. · hogbaysoftware.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Navigation
- Bike provides focus heading keyboard navigation, a navigation bar with back and forward controls, breadcrumbs, and inline navigation buttons. · hogbaysoftware.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Outlining
- It supports headings, ordered lists, task lists, and other row types in outlines. · hogbaysoftware.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Printing and previews
- Bike can print outlines and generate Quick Look previews and Finder thumbnails. · hogbaysoftware.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The maker says it collects information users provide when contacting it, forum content for the forum, newsletter email addresses, and anonymous website usage information. · hogbaysoftware.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Bike is a Mac writing and outlining app for thinking, writing, organizing, lists, notes, and documents. · hogbaysoftware.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Support
- Hog Bay Software provides support forums for Bike Outliner, TaskPaper, and WriteRoom. · support.hogbaysoftware.com, 7 Oct 2026
- System requirement
- The maker’s site lists macOS 11 or later as the requirement. · hogbaysoftware.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Text editing
- Bike includes a rich text editor for formatting text. · hogbaysoftware.com, 7 Oct 2026
Where Bike Outliner stands on Freedom251
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