Dynalist From $7.99/mo · Free plan 9.3 Visit 
Bike Outliner
hogbaysoftware.com
What it is
Bike Outliner is a macOS app for thinking, writing, organizing lists, notes, and documents. Its outlines support headings, ordered lists, task lists, and other row types, while a rich text editor handles formatting. Full-screen, typewriter, and focus modes provide distraction-free writing. Navigation includes keyboard movement by focus heading, back and forward controls, breadcrumbs, inline buttons, and a navigation bar. Deep links remain valid when an outline file is moved or renamed. Bike uses an HTML-based .bike format and also supports .opml and .txt files, with Markdown support, printing, Quick Look previews, and Finder thumbnails. Scripts, Shortcuts, and AppleScript can control the app. Free mode never expires and covers reading, writing, and editing outlines; additional row types, rich text formatting, Shortcut Actions, and AppleScript require purchase.
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- Bike is a Mac writing and outlining app for thinking, writing, organizing, lists, notes, and documents.Read 7 Oct 2026 · hogbaysoftware.com
- 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.Read 7 Oct 2026 · hogbaysoftware.com
- Support
- Hog Bay Software provides support forums for Bike Outliner, TaskPaper, and WriteRoom.Read 7 Oct 2026 · support.hogbaysoftware.com
- 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.Read 7 Oct 2026 · hogbaysoftware.com
- Automation
- Scripts, Shortcuts, and AppleScript can control Bike and integrate it with other applications.Read 7 Oct 2026 · hogbaysoftware.com
- File formats
- Bike uses an HTML-based .bike format and also supports .opml and .txt files.Read 7 Oct 2026 · hogbaysoftware.com
- Focus modes
- It offers full screen, typewriter, and focus modes for distraction-free writing.Read 7 Oct 2026 · hogbaysoftware.com
- 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.Read 7 Oct 2026 · hogbaysoftware.com
- Links
- Deep links into outlines continue working when the outline file is renamed or moved.Read 7 Oct 2026 · hogbaysoftware.com
- Navigation
- Bike provides focus heading keyboard navigation, a navigation bar with back and forward controls, breadcrumbs, and inline navigation buttons.Read 7 Oct 2026 · hogbaysoftware.com
- Outlining
- It supports headings, ordered lists, task lists, and other row types in outlines.Read 7 Oct 2026 · hogbaysoftware.com
- Printing and previews
- Bike can print outlines and generate Quick Look previews and Finder thumbnails.Read 7 Oct 2026 · hogbaysoftware.com
- System requirement
- The maker’s site lists macOS 11 or later as the requirement.Read 7 Oct 2026 · hogbaysoftware.com
- Text editing
- Bike includes a rich text editor for formatting text.Read 7 Oct 2026 · hogbaysoftware.com
Plans and prices
Free mode Free Core features; can read, write, and edit outlines; purchase needed for listed features Read 7 Oct 2026 · hogbaysoftware.com
Bike License – Monthly $2.99 a month Unlocks all Bike features while subscription is active Read 7 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Bike License – Yearly $19.99 a year Unlocks all Bike features while subscription is active Read 7 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
One-Time Purchase License (Hog Bay Software) Price not published One-time purchase; includes one year of updates; renewal for another year of updates is 50% off Unlocks all Bike features Read 7 Oct 2026 · hogbaysoftware.com
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Free mode never expires
- Supports multiple outline row types
- Includes focus and typewriter modes
- Supports .bike, .opml, and .txt
- Offers Shortcuts and AppleScript control
Limits
- macOS 11 or later required
- Several features require purchase
Who it suits
Bike suits Mac users who combine outlining with focused writing, notes, lists, or documents. It also fits workflows needing .bike, OPML, or text files and Apple automation.
Verdict
Bike provides a broad outlining and writing workspace with focused navigation and automation options. The free mode covers core editing, while richer formatting and automation depend on a paid license.
Where Specifiction places it
- Outliner Software#9 of 318.3
- Outlining Software#8 of 228.4
