Dabble vs Ulysses: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Dabble and Ulysses side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Dabble
The intuitive book writing software designed for novelists to plot, write, and edit with ease.
Best for you if:
- • You want writing software for novelists
Ulysses
The ultimate writing app for Mac, iPad, and iPhone, combining powerful features with a focused writing experience.
Best for you if:
- • You want great for writers
| At a Glance | Dabble | Ulysses |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | From $9/mo, billed monthly Basic plan | From $5.99/mo flat, billed monthly Ulysses plan |
Category | Productivity Writing & Content | Productivity Writing Apps |
Rating | 4.5/5 Capterra 4.7 · G2 4.3 112 reviews | 4.6/5 G2 4.5 · Capterra 4.7 37 reviews |
Free plan | No | No |
Choose Dabble or Ulysses?
Choose Dabble if
- You want writing software for novelists
- You want goal tracking and progress features
Choose Ulysses if
- You want great for writers
- You want clean writing environment
In-Depth Analysis
Dabble
The intuitive book writing software designed for novelists to plot, write, and edit with ease.
Dabble's pricing is fair, offering a clear progression of features.
Strengths
- Pro: Writing software for novelists
- Pro: Goal tracking and progress features
- Pro: Organization for long-form writing
- Pro: Distraction-free writing mode
- Pro: Plot and character management
Weaknesses
- Con: Subscription-based pricing
- Con: Focused on fiction writing only
- Con: Learning curve for features
- Con: May be excessive for short writing
- Con: Export options may be limited
Key features
Ulysses
The ultimate writing app for Mac, iPad, and iPhone, combining powerful features with a focused writing experience.
Ulysses' pricing is fair, especially for a premium writing app across Apple's ecosystem.
Strengths
- Pro: Great for writers
- Pro: Clean writing environment
- Pro: Good publishing features
- Pro: Apple native
- Pro: Markdown support
Weaknesses
- Con: Apple only
- Con: Subscription model
- Con: Expensive
- Con: No collaboration
- Con: Overkill for notes
Key features
Plans and prices: Dabble vs Ulysses
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Dabble |
| dabblewriter.com/pricing read Oct 19, 2026 |
| Ulysses |
| ulysses.app/pricing read Nov 3, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Dabble pricing and Ulysses pricing.
Key Takeaways
Dabble
- Choose if you want the intuitive book writing software designed for novelists to plot, write, and edit with ease
Ulysses
- Choose if you want the ultimate writing app for Mac, iPad, and iPhone, combining powerful features with a focused writing experience
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.5/5 from 112 reviews for Dabble, 4.6/5 from 37 reviews for Ulysses).
- Entry prices are not ranked, they are charged on different bases: Dabble $9/mo, billed monthly; Ulysses $5.99/mo flat, billed monthly.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Dabble and Ulysses compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.5/5 from 112 reviews for Dabble, 4.6/5 from 37 reviews for Ulysses). Entry prices are not ranked, they are charged on different bases: Dabble $9/mo, billed monthly; Ulysses $5.99/mo flat, billed monthly.
What are Dabble and Ulysses used for?
Dabble: The intuitive book writing software designed for novelists to plot, write, and edit with ease. Ulysses: The ultimate writing app for Mac, iPad, and iPhone, combining powerful features with a focused writing experience.
What does Dabble cost vs Ulysses?
Dabble's cheapest paid plan is Basic at $9/mo, billed monthly. Ulysses's cheapest paid plan is Ulysses at $5.99/mo flat, billed monthly. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Nov 3, 2026.
What's the main difference between Dabble and Ulysses?
Dabble's main strength: writing software for novelists. Ulysses's main strength: great for writers.