Novlr 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 Novlr and Ulysses side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Novlr leads on a free plan. 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:
Novlr
The creative writing workspace designed with your writing goals in mind, built by writers for writers.
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
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 | Novlr | Ulysses |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $6/mo, billed monthly Plus plan | From $49.99/year Annual plan |
Category | Productivity Writing Apps | Productivity Writing Apps |
Rating | n/a | 4.6/5 G2 4.5 · Capterra 4.7 37 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Choose Novlr or Ulysses?
Choose Novlr if
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want designed specifically for creative writers by writers
- You want offers a free tier with essential writing features
Choose Ulysses if
- You want great for writers
- You want clean writing environment
In-Depth Analysis
Novlr
The creative writing workspace designed with your writing goals in mind, built by writers for writers.
Novlr's pricing is quite generous, especially with its robust free 'Starter' tier offering 5 projects.
Strengths
- Pro: Designed specifically for creative writers by writers.
- Pro: Offers a free tier with essential writing features.
- Pro: Comprehensive suite of tools from drafting to publishing and community support.
- Pro: Seamless online syncing across devices.
- Pro: Integrates advanced proofreading and grammar checks with ProWritingAid.
Weaknesses
- Con: Advanced features like unlimited version history and ProWritingAid integration are only available in paid plans.
- Con: Custom domain for author websites is a Pro-tier feature.
- Con: Some features like growing a mailing list are listed as 'Coming Soon'.
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: Novlr vs Ulysses
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Novlr |
| novlr.org/pricing read Oct 24, 2026 |
| Ulysses |
| ulysses.app/pricing read Oct 19, 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 Novlr pricing and Ulysses pricing.
Key Takeaways
Novlr
- Has a free plan
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, Novlr leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Only Ulysses has a published user rating (4.6/5 from 37 reviews); Novlr has none we can show.
- Entry prices are not ranked, they are charged on different bases: Novlr $6/mo, billed monthly; Ulysses $49.99/year.
- Only Novlr has a free plan.
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 Novlr and Ulysses compare in 2026?
On the data below, Novlr leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Only Ulysses has a published user rating (4.6/5 from 37 reviews); Novlr has none we can show. Entry prices are not ranked, they are charged on different bases: Novlr $6/mo, billed monthly; Ulysses $49.99/year. Only Novlr has a free plan.
What are Novlr and Ulysses used for?
Novlr: The creative writing workspace designed with your writing goals in mind, built by writers for writers. Ulysses: The ultimate writing app for Mac, iPad, and iPhone, combining powerful features with a focused writing experience.
What does Novlr cost vs Ulysses?
Novlr's cheapest paid plan is Plus at $6/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. Ulysses's cheapest paid plan is Annual at $49.99/year. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 24, 2026.
What's the main difference between Novlr and Ulysses?
Novlr's main strength: designed specifically for creative writers by writers. Ulysses's main strength: great for writers.