iA Writer 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 iA Writer and Ulysses side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Ulysses leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall 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:
iA Writer
The benchmark Markdown writing app designed for focused, distraction-free writing.
Best for you if:
- • You want distraction-free writing
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 | iA Writer | Ulysses |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Not published | From $5.99/mo flat, billed monthly Ulysses plan |
Category | Productivity Writing Apps | Productivity Writing Apps |
Rating | 4.3/5 SourceForge 4.3 · G2 4.4 90 reviews | 4.6/5 G2 4.5 · Capterra 4.7 37 reviews |
Free plan | No | No |
Choose iA Writer or Ulysses?
Choose iA Writer if
- You want distraction-free writing
- You want focus mode excellent
Choose Ulysses if
- You want great for writers
- You want clean writing environment
In-Depth Analysis
iA Writer
The benchmark Markdown writing app designed for focused, distraction-free writing.
The pricing for iA Writer is fair, especially considering it's a one-time purchase.
Strengths
- Pro: Distraction-free writing
- Pro: Focus mode excellent
- Pro: Cross-platform
- Pro: Good markdown
- Pro: One-time purchase
Weaknesses
- Con: Limited features
- Con: Basic organization
- Con: No collaboration
- Con: Sync setup manual
- Con: Not for complex documents
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: iA Writer vs Ulysses
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| iA Writer | No plan prices on file | ia.net/writer read Oct 4, 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 iA Writer pricing and Ulysses pricing.
Key Takeaways
iA Writer
- Choose if you want the benchmark Markdown writing app designed for focused, distraction-free writing
Ulysses
- Higher user rating: 4.6/5 vs 4.3/5
What the data shows
On the data below, Ulysses leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Ulysses has the higher user rating (4.3/5 from 90 reviews for iA Writer, 4.6/5 from 37 reviews for Ulysses).
- Ulysses starts at $5.99/mo flat, billed monthly; iA Writer has no public paid plan price on file.
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 iA Writer and Ulysses compare in 2026?
On the data below, Ulysses leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Ulysses has the higher user rating (4.3/5 from 90 reviews for iA Writer, 4.6/5 from 37 reviews for Ulysses). Ulysses starts at $5.99/mo flat, billed monthly; iA Writer has no public paid plan price on file.
What are iA Writer and Ulysses used for?
iA Writer: The benchmark Markdown writing app designed for focused, distraction-free writing. Ulysses: The ultimate writing app for Mac, iPad, and iPhone, combining powerful features with a focused writing experience.
What does iA Writer cost vs Ulysses?
iA Writer has no public paid-plan price on file. 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 iA Writer and Ulysses?
iA Writer's main strength: distraction-free writing. Ulysses's main strength: great for writers.