The Bike Outliner Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Bike Outliner in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Bike Outliner
The Insider’s Guide
Fast outliner and structured writing app for Mac
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among note-taking apps, read from Bike Outliner’s own pages.
Made by Hog Bay Software · checked Oct 6, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Bike Outliner’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Bike Outliner’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Oct 6, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.4
GPA, above 22 of the 147 other note-taking apps we grade
Bike Outliner is a Mac app for thinking and writing in outlines, made by Hog Bay Software, a one-person company. It is built to stay fast with very large outlines and saves each document as an ordinary file in an open format: its own HTML-based .bike format, OPML or plain text. A free mode with the core editing features never expires, and a license unlocks rich text, row types, focus and typewriter modes, and scripting.
To get you started, here are 9 things to know about Bike Outliner, taken from its own pages and our grades.
No store rating on record, so we go by the listing: it's a document app like any other on a Mac, where you open a file, type and indent.
- 1
Best for outlining on a Mac in open file formats
Bike Outliner is a Mac outliner built to stay quick on very large outlines, saving them as .bike, OPML or plain text files.
- 2
Paid plans start at $1.67 a month when paid by the year
As its pricing page puts it: $29.99 one-time license, or $19.99 per year on the Mac App Store.
- 3
There is a free plan
Free mode never expires and can read, write and edit outlines. Rich text, row types, focus and typewriter modes, text wrap, sorting, Shortcuts actions and AppleScript need a license.
- 4
It runs on macOS
macOS.
- 5
Outlining built for speed
Designed to handle very large outlines and to stay quick at basics such as opening files, scrolling and resizing windows.
- 6
Rich text and row types
Format text as bold, italic or links, and mark rows as headings, ordered lists, task lists and more. Both are unlocked by a license.
- 7
Distraction-free writing modes
Full screen, typewriter and focus modes, with live word counts and other text statistics in the status bar. Focus and typewriter modes need a license.
- 8
A 2.4 GPA, above 22 of 147
That is against the other note-taking apps we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 9
Your call
A notes app at its plainest is text in folders with a search box.
Bike Outliner at a glance
- Pricing
- Free plan, from $29.99 one-time license, or $19.99 per year on the Mac App Store
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- macOS
- Made by
- Hog Bay Software, since 2004
- Category
- Note-Taking Apps
- Our grade
- 2.4 GPA, fair
The report card
Best for outlining on a Mac in open file formats
Bike Outliner is a Mac outliner built to stay quick on very large outlines, saving them as .bike, OPML or plain text files. A license is $29.99 once or $19.99 a year on the Mac App Store, and free mode never expires. Free locks rich text, row types and even text wrap, the one-time license covers a year of updates, and there is no iPhone, iPad, Windows or web version.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | $29.99 once on the Hog Bay site with a year of updates, and what you have carries on working after that. Or $19.99 a year on the Mac App Store, against a category middle of $6 a month. Another year of updates is $14.99. |
| Free plan and trial | C | Free mode never expires and does read, write and edit outlines. But the locks start early: text wrap, sorting, rich text, headings and task rows, focus and typewriter modes all need a licence, so you meet the wall on day one. |
| Features | C | It does outlining fully: built to stay quick on very large files, rich text and row types, focus and typewriter modes, links that survive a file being moved, open .bike, OPML and text files. That's a smaller job than note-taking, and there's no sync or sharing of its own. |
| Ease of use | B | No store rating on record, so we go by the listing: it's a document app like any other on a Mac, where you open a file, type and indent. Working out which licence unlocks which copy takes longer than learning the app. |
| Platforms and integrations | D | One operating system. The site lists no iPhone, iPad, Windows or web version, so your outlines stay at the desk. The files are open at least: its own format is HTML a browser can show, and it reads OPML and plain text. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who Bike Outliner is for
- Fits if you think in outlines and work on a Mac all day
- Works for people who want their outlines as open HTML, OPML or text files
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you want your outlines on your phone or iPad, as it's a Mac app only
- Tight if you're staying in free mode, because rich text, row types, sorting and even text wrap need a license
- Not for you if you want updates for good from one payment, since the license covers a year and renewal is $14.99
- Watch out: Mac App Store and Setapp copies unlock by subscription only, not with the one-time license
- Watch out: there's no sync or sharing of its own, and AppleScript and Shortcuts actions need a license
Good to know
Good for
- Mac users who want a fast, minimal outliner
- Writers who draft in outline form with focus and typewriter modes
- People who want outlines kept as open HTML, OPML or text files
Worth knowing
- It is a Mac app only; the site lists no iPhone, iPad, Windows or web version.
- Rich text, row types, focus and typewriter modes, Shortcuts actions and AppleScript are locked in free mode.
- The one-time license covers one year of updates; later updates need a renewal, offered at half price.
- Copies from the Mac App Store or Setapp are unlocked by subscription only, not by the one-time license.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
$1.67
A month to start, paid by the year. There is a free plan too
Bike Outliner has a free plan. Paid plans start at $29.99 one-time license, or $19.99 per year on the Mac App Store.
Free mode never expires and does read, write and edit outlines.
Free mode
$0
Core outlining with no time limit: read, write and edit outlines saved as .bike, OPML or plain text files.
Bike License – Monthly
$2.99
per month, Mac App Store subscription
Unlocks all features in the Mac App Store copy for as long as the subscription is active.
Bike License – Yearly
$19.99
per year, Mac App Store subscription
The same Mac App Store subscription billed once a year.
One-Time Purchase License
$29.99
one-time, includes one year of updates
Sold on the Hog Bay Software site. Unlocks all features; updates released within the year keep working unlocked afterwards.
The free plan
Free mode never expires and can read, write and edit outlines. Rich text, row types, focus and typewriter modes, text wrap, sorting, Shortcuts actions and AppleScript need a license.
Read from apps.apple.com on Oct 6, 2026.
Ways to pay less
Other savings
License renewal at 50% off
After the first year, a one-time license can be renewed for another year of updates at half price; the renewal is listed at $14.99 in the vendor's checkout.
Stated on hogbaysoftware.comAnnual discount
Yearly subscription costs about 44% less
On the Mac App Store the yearly Bike License is $19.99 against $2.99 a month, which works out to about 44% less over twelve months.
Stated on apps.apple.com
What the app costs elsewhere
Each country’s App Store price for “Bike License – Monthly”, against $2.99 in the United States, in dollars at the day’s rate. The four cheapest and the four dearest of 11.
| Country | Price there | In dollars | Against the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turkey | ₺56,99 | $1.16 | 61% less |
| Philippines | ₱ 155.00 | $2.47 | 17% less |
| Indonesia | Rp 49ribu | $2.74 | 8% less |
| India | ₹ 269 | $2.78 | 7% less |
| Australia | $4.49 | $3.13 | about the same |
| Germany | 2,99 € | $3.35 | 12% more |
| United Kingdom | £2.79 | $3.69 | 23% more |
| Mexico | $69.00 | $3.79 | 27% more |
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
1
Place it runs: macOS
Fast outliner and structured writing app for Mac. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: local-first, one-time purchase, notes.
That's a smaller job than note-taking, and there's no sync or sharing of its own.
- Outlining built for speed
- Designed to handle very large outlines and to stay quick at basics such as opening files, scrolling and resizing windows.
- Rich text and row types
- Format text as bold, italic or links, and mark rows as headings, ordered lists, task lists and more. Both are unlocked by a license.
- Distraction-free writing modes
- Full screen, typewriter and focus modes, with live word counts and other text statistics in the status bar. Focus and typewriter modes need a license.
- Open file formats
- The native .bike format is HTML that can be viewed in a web browser, and Bike also reads and writes OPML and plain text files directly.
- Links and navigation
- Deep links into an outline keep working when the file is renamed or moved, and a navigation bar offers back and forward controls and a breadcrumb trail.
- Scripts and Shortcuts
- AppleScript and Shortcuts actions let other applications control Bike and fit it into existing workflows. Both need a license.
Where it runs
- macOS
What it works with
- Apple Shortcuts
- AppleScript
Bike Outliner is made by Hog Bay Software, and has been around since 2004.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
22/147
Other note-taking apps it is graded above
Bike Outliner's GPA of 2.4 is higher than 22 of the 147 other note-taking apps we grade, and level with 27.
It stands best on value for money (A, above 62 of 147) and worst on platforms and integrations (D, above 0).
Its paid plans start at $1.67 a month when paid by the year, against a middle price of $5.83 for the category: 6 of the 66 others that charge start lower.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.0 out of 4. 22 tools score higher and cost less.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 148 note-taking apps we grade, cut by the letter each got. Bike Outliner’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 62 of 147
- CFree plan and trialAbove 7 of 147
- CFeaturesAbove 2 of 147
- BEase of useAbove 47 of 147
- DPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 147
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 103 note-taking apps. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Bike Outliner is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Your call
A notes app at its plainest is text in folders with a search box.
You could make the core of Bike Outliner for yourself: notes. What you would give up is listed below. Whether that is worth the price is your call. At $19.99 a year it costs less than the weekend it would take to replace, which is the argument for keeping it.
What you could make
- Notes: an app builder makes this well.
What you could not
- A real app for macOS. Something home-made would be a web page.
- Hooks into the device itself: Shortcuts.
What this rests on. Bike Outliner’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
OmniOutliner, Workflowy, Dynalist, Zavala and Logseq
The 5 tools Bike Outliner is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.6GPA
OmniOutliner
Free trial · from $24.99 one-time
Outliner for Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Vision Pro.
- Bike Outliner has a free plan. OmniOutliner does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only OmniOutliner lists an iOS app.
- OmniOutliner also covers templates.
- 2.8GPA
Workflowy
Free plan · from $6.99/mo
Outliner that keeps notes, to-dos and plans in one nested list.
- Only Workflowy lists a web app.
- Only Workflowy lists Windows, Linux, iOS and Android apps.
- Only Workflowy lists a browser extension.
- 3.0GPA
Dynalist
Free plan · from $7.99/mo
Outlining app for nested lists, notes and tasks.
- Only Dynalist lists a web app.
- Only Dynalist lists Windows, Linux, iOS and Android apps.
- Only Dynalist lists a browser extension.
- 3.0GPA
Zavala
Free
Free open-source outliner for Mac, iPhone and iPad.
- Only Zavala lists an iOS app.
- Bike Outliner can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Zavala is open source, according to its own site.
- 3.0GPA
Logseq
Free plan · from $5/mo
Open-source outliner for linked notes stored as local files.
- Only Logseq lists a web app.
- Only Logseq lists Windows, Linux, iOS and Android apps.
- Bike Outliner can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
13
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Bike Outliner free?
Bike Outliner has a free plan. Free mode never expires and can read, write and edit outlines.
How much does Bike Outliner cost?
Bike Outliner lists 4 plans. Free mode: $0.
What platforms does Bike Outliner work on?
Bike Outliner is available on macOS.
Does Bike Outliner offer any discounts?
Bike Outliner publicly lists the following: License renewal at 50% off; Yearly subscription costs about 44% less.
Does Bike Outliner have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 6, 2026. Bike Outliner is listed for macOS.
Does Bike Outliner have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 6, 2026. Bike Outliner is listed for macOS.
Is Bike Outliner open source?
Bike Outliner is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Oct 6, 2026.
What does Bike Outliner integrate with?
Bike Outliner's listing names Apple Shortcuts and AppleScript. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.
Who makes Bike Outliner?
Bike Outliner is made by Hog Bay Software. It dates from 2004.
What are the alternatives to Bike Outliner?
The closest alternatives to Bike Outliner in our directory are OmniOutliner, Workflowy, Dynalist, Zavala and Logseq.
How does Bike Outliner compare with other note-taking apps?
Bike Outliner's GPA of 2.4 is higher than 22 of the 147 other note-taking apps we grade, and level with 27.
Is Bike Outliner good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Bike Outliner A for value for money. Its paid plans start at $1.67 a month when paid by the year, against a middle price of $5.83 for the category: 6 of the 66 others that charge start lower.
Could I make my own version of Bike Outliner?
A notes app at its plainest is text in folders with a search box. You could make the core of Bike Outliner for yourself: notes.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Bike Outliner’s own pages on Oct 6, 2026, and the grades were given on Oct 10, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Hog Bay Software's own pages on 6 October 2026. Also tested with a demo account on 2026-03-09.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Hog Bay Software. Prices change, so check hogbaysoftware.com before you buy.
- hogbaysoftware.com/bike/
- hogbaysoftware.com/bike/terms/
- checkout.paddle.com/api/2.0/prices?product_ids=759899,832009&customer_country=US
- apps.apple.com/us/app/bike-outliner-writing-app/id1588292384
- hogbaysoftware.com/bike/releases/
- hogbaysoftware.com/about/
- bikeguide.hogbaysoftware.com/using-bike/using-documents.md
- bikeguide.hogbaysoftware.com/bike-compatible-apps.md
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
3,189
Tools graded, in 94 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
3,189
tools graded
94
categories
426
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Bike Outliner, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/bike-outliner
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Bike Outliner: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 6, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/bike-outliner
Know someone choosing between note-taking apps?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/bike-outliner/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded note-taking apps after Bike Outliner, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Note-Taking Apps Insider's GuideEvery one of the 148 note-taking apps we grade, compared
- Microsoft OneNote Insider's GuideMicrosoft's free digital notebook for typed, inked and audio notes3.8 GPA
- Goodnotes Insider's GuideHandwritten notes, PDF markup and whiteboards with an AI assistant3.6 GPA
- Joplin Insider's GuideOpen source Markdown notes with sync through a service you choose3.6 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Bike Outliner’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Bike Outliner is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Hog Bay Software. Prices and plans change: check hogbaysoftware.com before you buy.