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Ulysses alternatives

Top Word Processors like Ulysses

The most popular alternative to Ulysses is iA Writer. Other great alternatives to Ulysses are Scrivener, Bear, Obsidian, and Pages.

Most alternatives to Ulysses are in the Word Processors category, compared here by price, platform and features.

Ulysses alternatives
AllFree
8 apps

All Ulysses alternatives

  1. iA Writer

    4.6(1.5K) · App Store

    iA Writer is a minimalist Markdown editor from the design studio Information Architects. Its Focus Mode, syntax highlighting and style check help tighten prose, and it can mark text pasted from AI tools to keep track of what you wrote yourself. Files stay as plain text, locally or in iCloud and Dropbox, with export to HTML, PDF and Word. It is a one-time purchase per platform, after a free trial.

    9 iA Writer alternatives

    Pros

    • Focus Mode and style check help tighten prose
    • Plain-text Markdown files stored wherever you choose
    • One-time purchase instead of a subscription

    Cons

    • A separate purchase is needed for each platform
    • No real-time collaboration
    • Formatting options are minimal by design
    Cost / License
    Free trialProprietary
    Categories
    Word Processors
    Platforms
    WindowsMaciPhoneAndroid
    Features
    Dark modeMarkdown supportOffline modeTemplates
    Visit websiteMore about iA Writer

  2. Scrivener

    4.2(2.6K) · App Store

    Scrivener, from Literature & Latte, is a writing tool for long-form projects such as novels, theses and screenplays. Its binder lets you split a manuscript into sections, rearrange them on a corkboard or outliner and keep research notes, PDFs and images next to the text, then compile everything into print, ebook or Word formats. It is a one-time purchase per platform with a free trial.

    8 Scrivener alternatives

    Pros

    • Binder splits long manuscripts into easy-to-rearrange sections
    • Research notes, PDFs and images kept next to the text
    • Compile exports to print, ebook and Word formats

    Cons

    • Steep learning curve, especially for the compile feature
    • A separate license is required for each platform
    • Syncing with the iPhone app relies on Dropbox
    Cost / License
    Free trialProprietary
    Categories
    Word Processors
    Platforms
    WindowsMaciPhone
    Features
    Cross-device syncOffline modeTemplates
    Visit websiteMore about Scrivener

  3. Bear

    4.7(6.9K) · App Store

    Bear is a writing and note-taking app for Mac, iPhone and iPad from Shiny Frog, built on Markdown with nested tags, links between notes and a choice of themes. The app is free to use on a single device, while Bear Pro adds iCloud sync across devices, OCR search in images and PDFs, and more export formats.

    12 Bear alternatives

    Pros

    • Elegant Markdown editor with a choice of themes
    • Nested tags and note links keep things organized without folders
    • Native, fast apps designed for Mac, iPhone and iPad

    Cons

    • Apple only, with no Windows, Android or web version
    • Sync across devices requires the Pro subscription
    • No shared notes or real-time collaboration
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
    Note-taking & Knowledge Bases
    Platforms
    MaciPhone
    Features
    Bidirectional linksCross-device syncDark modeMarkdown supportOCR
    Visit websiteMore about Bear

  4. Obsidian

    4.5(2.8K) · App Store

    Obsidian stores notes as plain Markdown files on your device, links them into a knowledge graph and extends with a large plugin ecosystem.

    17 Obsidian alternatives

    Pros

    • Notes are plain Markdown files stored on your device
    • Large ecosystem of community plugins and themes
    • Graph view and backlinks for connected notes

    Cons

    • Official sync and publishing are paid add-ons
    • Plugin-heavy setups take time to configure and maintain
    • No real-time collaboration on notes
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
    Note-taking & Knowledge Bases
    Platforms
    WindowsMacLinuxiPhoneAndroid
    Features
    End-to-end encryptionMarkdown supportOffline mode
    Visit websiteMore about Obsidian

  5. Pages

    4.6(573.5K) · App Store

    Pages is Apple's free word processor for Mac, iPhone and iPad, also usable in the browser through iCloud.com. It mixes word processing with page layout, offering designed templates for reports, flyers and books, plus EPUB export. Documents sync via iCloud, can be edited with others in real time and can be exported to Word or PDF.

    9 Pages alternatives

    Pros

    • Free on Mac, iPhone and iPad, with well-designed templates
    • Combines word processing and page layout
    • Exports to Word, PDF and EPUB

    Cons

    • Native apps only on Apple devices, others must use iCloud.com
    • Word conversion can lose formatting in complex documents
    • Fewer advanced features than Word for long documents
    Cost / License
    FreeProprietary
    Categories
    Word Processors
    Platforms
    WebMaciPhone
    Features
    Cross-device syncMicrosoft Office file compatibilityReal-time collaborationTemplatesTrack changes
    Visit websiteMore about Pages

  6. Craft

    4.8(6.6K) · App Store

    Craft is a document and note-taking app with a native, polished design on Mac, iPhone and iPad, also available on Windows and the web. Notes are built from blocks and nested pages with backlinks, can be shared as public web pages or edited together in real time, and include AI writing help, tasks and daily notes.

    12 Craft alternatives

    Pros

    • Polished native design on Mac, iPhone and iPad
    • Block-based pages can be shared as public web pages
    • Real-time collaboration plus built-in AI writing help

    Cons

    • The experience is best on Apple devices, other platforms feel secondary
    • Advanced features and AI usage are reserved for paid plans
    • Less suited to large databases than Notion-style tools
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
    Note-taking & Knowledge BasesWord Processors
    Platforms
    WebWindowsMaciPhone
    Features
    AI assistantBidirectional linksCross-device syncOffline modeReal-time collaborationTemplates
    Visit websiteMore about Craft

  7. Microsoft Word

    4.7(3M) · App Store

    Microsoft Word is the word processor in Microsoft 365 and the reference for the .docx format used in many workplaces. It offers styles, track changes, comments, mail merge, references and real-time co-authoring through OneDrive or SharePoint, plus Copilot drafting in eligible plans. Word runs on Windows, Mac, mobile and the web, where a free version is available with a Microsoft account.

    11 Microsoft Word alternatives

    Pros

    • The reference for the .docx format used in many workplaces
    • Powerful styles, track changes, references and mail merge
    • Available on Windows, Mac, mobile and the web

    Cons

    • Full desktop features require a Microsoft 365 subscription
    • Dense interface packed with features most people never use
    • Copilot features are limited to eligible plans
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
    Word Processors
    Platforms
    WebWindowsMaciPhoneAndroid
    Features
    AI assistantGrammar and spell checkMicrosoft Office file compatibilityReal-time collaborationTemplatesTrack changes
    Visit websiteMore about Microsoft Word

  8. Google Docs

    4.8(3.3M) · App Store

    Google Docs is Google's online word processor, used for writing and editing documents together in real time. Comments, suggestion mode, version history and sharing links are built in, and files can be edited offline or exported as Word, PDF or OpenDocument. It is free with a Google account, with Gemini AI and business controls available through paid Google Workspace plans.

    11 Google Docs alternatives

    Pros

    • Real-time co-editing with comments and suggestion mode
    • Free with a Google account and accessible from any browser
    • Version history makes every change recoverable

    Cons

    • Fewer layout and formatting options than desktop word processors
    • Offline editing has to be set up in advance
    • Gemini and business controls require paid Workspace plans
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
    Word Processors
    Platforms
    WebiPhoneAndroid
    Features
    AI assistantMicrosoft Office file compatibilityOffline modeReal-time collaborationTemplatesTrack changes
    Visit websiteMore about Google Docs

Ulysses vs its alternatives at a glance

Pricing, platforms and the key features of Ulysses, compared with its most popular alternatives.

Ulysses vs its alternatives at a glance
AppPricingPlatformsCross-device syncDark modeGrammar and spell checkMarkdown supportOffline mode
UlyssesFree trialMac, iPhone
iA WriterFree trialWindows, Mac, iPhone, Android
ScrivenerFree trialWindows, Mac, iPhone
BearFreemiumMac, iPhone
ObsidianFreemiumWindows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, Android
PagesFreeWeb, Mac, iPhone

Ulysses alternatives: frequently asked questions

What is the best alternative to Ulysses?

The most popular alternative to Ulysses is iA Writer: Minimal Markdown editor focused on the writing itself. Other great alternatives are Scrivener, Bear, Obsidian, and Pages.

Is there a free alternative to Ulysses?

Yes, 6 alternatives are free or have a free plan, including Bear, Obsidian, Pages, and Craft.

Is there an open source alternative to Ulysses?

No open source alternative to Ulysses is listed yet.

Is Ulysses free?

Ulysses is a paid app that offers a free trial.

Compare Ulysses with its alternatives

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