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  1. Home
  2. Compare
  3. iA Writer vs Ulysses

iA WritervsUlysses

App
vs
App
ScoresSignalsPricingFeatures

Score Comparison

76
Overall
68
75
Pricing
45
75
Usability
75
90
Performance
85
65
Support
65
80
Reliability
70
85
Onboarding
60
75
Mobile
60
85
Security
70
55
Integrations
75
iA WriterUlysses

Signals Comparison

Usability

iA Writer

  • Poor for long-form writing like books or screenplays(7/10)
  • Weak library organization - no tree structure(6/10)
  • No true WYSIWYG Markdown preview(4/10)
  • Less accessible than competitors(5/10)
  • Limited features compared to Ulysses or Scrivener(5/10)

Ulysses

  • Apple-only: No Windows or Android versions(9/10)
  • Slow development despite subscription revenue(6/10)
  • Poor handling of links, images, and tables(6/10)
  • Features poorly explained with hidden menus(5/10)
  • Flawed print/formatting for traditional publishing(6/10)
Pricing

iA Writer

  • Separate purchase required for each platform(5/10)

Ulysses

  • Controversial switch to subscription angered existing users(8/10)
  • High subscription cost at $50/year for a writing app(7/10)
Reliability

iA Writer

  • Android purchase recognition issues on some devices(5/10)

Ulysses

  • Sync conflicts and file ordering issues(7/10)
Mobile

iA Writer

No signals

Ulysses

  • Poor iPhone experience with cluttered interface(5/10)

Pricing Comparison

iA Writer

Mac
Popular
$29.99/mo

Users: 1 user

Storage: Unlimited (your cloud storage)

Limits: Mac only, must buy other platforms separately

iOS, Windows, Android sold separately
iOS (iPhone/iPad)
$29.99/mo

Users: 1 user

Storage: Unlimited (your cloud storage)

Limits: iOS only

Mac, Windows, Android sold separately
Windows
$29.99/mo

Users: 1 user

Storage: Unlimited (your cloud storage)

Limits: Windows only, no iCloud (use Dropbox/Google Drive)

Mac, iOS, Android sold separately
Android
$29.99/mo

Users: 1 user

Storage: Unlimited (your cloud storage)

Limits: Android only, no iCloud (use Dropbox/Google Drive)

Mac, iOS, Windows sold separately, some device-specific issues
All Platforms (Subscription)
$4.99/mo

Users: 1 user

Storage: Unlimited

Limits: Must maintain subscription for access

Ongoing cost vs one-time

Ulysses

Monthly
$5.99/mo

Users: 1 user (all Apple devices)

Storage: Unlimited (iCloud)

Limits: Apple devices only, No web version

Annual plan is better value, Adds up to $72/year if paying monthly
Annual
Popular
$49.99/yr

Users: 1 user (all Apple devices)

Storage: Unlimited (iCloud)

Limits: Apple devices only, No web version

Auto-renews unless cancelled 24 hours before renewal
Education
$34.99/yr

Users: 1 user

Storage: Unlimited

Limits: Must maintain educational status

Requires verification of educational status
Setapp Bundle
$9.99/mo

Users: 1 user

Storage: Unlimited

Limits: Bundled with other apps you may not need

Setapp subscription required, $9.99/month minimum

Feature Comparison

FeatureiA WriterUlysses
Usability
Focus Mode

Signature feature

Distraction-free writing

Core strength

Markdown support

Excellent implementation

WYSIWYG Markdown

Shows raw syntax

Portability
Plain text Markdown

No proprietary format

Platform
Cross-platform

Mac, iOS, Windows, Android

Mac/iPad/iPhone apps

Native Apple apps

Windows app

Not available, no plans

Android app

Not available, no plans

Web version

Not available

Reliability
iCloud sync

Apple devices

Dropbox sync

All platforms

Google Drive sync

Windows/Android

Version history

Available

Publishing
Direct publishing

WordPress, Medium, Ghost

ePub export

Excellent quality

PDF/DOCX export

Multiple format support

Writing
Style checker

Realtime filler detection

Syntax highlighting

Parts of speech coloring

Pricing
One-time purchase

Per platform

Setapp included

Part of Setapp bundle

Productivity
Writing goals

Word count targets

Export
Word export

DOCX support

PDF export

Available

Organization
Library organization

Flat file structure only

Smart folders

Not available

Document merging

Not available

Research management

Not available

Formatting
Table support

Not available

Collaboration
Collaboration

Not available