showmd 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 showmd and Ulysses side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, showmd 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:
showmd
The most readable way to preview any .md file on macOS, enhancing Quick Look with rich rendering.
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Ulysses requires payment)
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 | showmd | Ulysses |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | From $5.99/mo flat, billed monthly Ulysses plan |
Category | Documentation Writing Apps | Productivity Writing Apps |
Rating | n/a | 4.6/5 G2 4.5 · Capterra 4.7 37 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Choose showmd or Ulysses?
Choose showmd if
- You want a fully free tool (Ulysses requires payment)
- You want significantly improves Markdown preview readability on macOS
- You want supports advanced Markdown features like LaTeX and Mermaid diagrams
- You work in documentation, not productivity
Choose Ulysses if
- You want great for writers
- You want clean writing environment
- You work in productivity, not documentation
In-Depth Analysis
showmd
The most readable way to preview any .md file on macOS, enhancing Quick Look with rich rendering.
Strengths
- Pro: Significantly improves Markdown preview readability on macOS
- Pro: Supports advanced Markdown features like LaTeX and Mermaid diagrams
- Pro: Integrates seamlessly with macOS Quick Look for instant access
- Pro: Open-source, free, and privacy-focused with no data collection
- Pro: Lightweight and fast, designed purely for viewing
Weaknesses
- Con: Only available for macOS
- Con: Not an editor or note-taking app, purely a viewer
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: showmd vs Ulysses
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| showmd | No plan prices on file | showmd.yetanother.one |
| 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 showmd pricing and Ulysses pricing.
Key Takeaways
showmd
- 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, showmd 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); showmd has none we can show.
- Ulysses starts at $5.99/mo flat, billed monthly; showmd has no public paid plan price on file.
- Only showmd 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 showmd and Ulysses compare in 2026?
On the data below, showmd 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); showmd has none we can show. Ulysses starts at $5.99/mo flat, billed monthly; showmd has no public paid plan price on file. Only showmd has a free plan.
What are showmd and Ulysses used for?
showmd: The most readable way to preview any .md file on macOS, enhancing Quick Look with rich rendering. Ulysses: The ultimate writing app for Mac, iPad, and iPhone, combining powerful features with a focused writing experience.
What does showmd cost vs Ulysses?
showmd is free. 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 showmd and Ulysses?
showmd's main strength: significantly improves Markdown preview readability on macOS. Ulysses's main strength: great for writers.