NotionvsUlysses

Saas52

App

Score Comparison

Overall

Pricing

Usability

Performance

Support

Reliability

Onboarding

Mobile

Security

Integrations

NotionUlysses

Signals Comparison

Performance

Notion

Database performance degrades at 5,000+ records(8/10)

Ulysses

No signals

Pricing

Notion

AI features locked behind $20/user Business tier(9/10)
Frequent pricing changes erode user trust(7/10)
20 AI responses lifetime limit on Plus plan not disclosed(8/10)
Account lockouts when trying to downgrade(9/10)

Ulysses

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

Support

Notion

Unresponsive customer support with billing disputes(9/10)

Ulysses

No signals

Reliability

Notion

Offline mode unreliable despite August 2025 release(7/10)

Ulysses

Sync conflicts and file ordering issues(7/10)

Usability

Notion

Steep learning curve leads to productivity loss(6/10)
Jack of all trades, master of none(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)

Mobile

Notion

Mobile app slow and unreliable for quick notes(7/10)

Ulysses

Poor iPhone experience with cluttered interface(5/10)

Security

Notion

No end-to-end encryption - Notion can read your notes(6/10)

Ulysses

No signals

Pricing Comparison

Notion

Free

Users: 1 user (can invite up to 10 guests)

Storage: 5MB per file upload limit

Limits: No team workspaces, Limited page history (7 days), No admin tools, 20 AI responses lifetime (not renewable)

5MB file upload limit blocks many use cases, 20 lifetime AI responses only (not monthly), Guests count toward limits quickly

Plus

Popular

$10/mo

Users: 1 user (unlimited guests)

Storage: Unlimited file uploads

Limits: No Notion AI beyond 20 responses, No SAML SSO, No advanced permissions, No private teamspaces

Still only 20 AI responses lifetime (same as free!), $12/month if billed monthly, No team features included

Business

$20/mo

Users: Per user pricing

Storage: Unlimited

Limits: No user provisioning (SCIM), No audit log, No advanced security controls

$24/user/month if billed monthly, Implementation costs $2,400-6,000 for Year 1, $480/year per 5 custom domains, Seats cannot be reclaimed mid-cycle

Enterprise

$0/mo

Users: Custom

Storage: Unlimited

Limits: Must contact sales, Annual contracts only

Custom pricing (typically $25-35/user/month based on reports), Annual commitment required, Implementation and training costs

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

Feature	Notion	Ulysses
Collaboration
Real-time collaboration Multiple users can edit simultaneously
Collaboration Not available
Usability
Distraction-free writing Core strength
Markdown support Excellent implementation
Reliability
Offline mode Limited - 50 rows max, no browser support, sync conflicts
iCloud sync Across Apple devices
Version history Available
AI
AI assistant Business plan only ($20/user). Plus gets 20 lifetime responses.
Platform
Mac/iPad/iPhone apps Native Apple apps
Windows app Not available, no plans
Android app Not available, no plans
Web version Not available
Accessibility
Mobile app Available but slow, frequent reloads needed
Security
End-to-end encryption Notion can access your content
Page password protection Cannot password-protect individual pages
Publishing
Direct publishing WordPress, Medium, Ghost
ePub export Excellent quality
PDF/DOCX export Multiple format support
Data
Relational databases Available but performance degrades at 5000+ records
Charts and graphs Basic only, requires external tools for advanced visualization
Integrations
API access Available on all plans
Organization
Library organization Groups, filters, keywords
Productivity
Templates library Extensive official and community templates
Writing goals Word count targets
Enterprise
SAML SSO Business plan and above only
Audit logs Enterprise plan only
Custom domains Additional $480/year per 5 domains
Pricing
Setapp included Part of Setapp bundle
One-time purchase Subscription only
Project Management
Native Gantt charts Timeline view exists but not full Gantt functionality
Formatting
Table support Not available

Signals Comparison

Performance

Notion

Database performance degrades at 5,000+ records(8/10)

Ulysses

No signals

Pricing

Notion

AI features locked behind $20/user Business tier(9/10)
Frequent pricing changes erode user trust(7/10)
20 AI responses lifetime limit on Plus plan not disclosed(8/10)
Account lockouts when trying to downgrade(9/10)

Ulysses

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

Support

Notion

Unresponsive customer support with billing disputes(9/10)

Ulysses

No signals

Reliability

Notion

Offline mode unreliable despite August 2025 release(7/10)

Ulysses

Sync conflicts and file ordering issues(7/10)

Usability

Notion

Steep learning curve leads to productivity loss(6/10)
Jack of all trades, master of none(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)

Mobile

Notion

Mobile app slow and unreliable for quick notes(7/10)

Ulysses

Poor iPhone experience with cluttered interface(5/10)

Security

Notion

No end-to-end encryption - Notion can read your notes(6/10)

Ulysses

No signals

Pricing Comparison

Notion

Free

Users: 1 user (can invite up to 10 guests)

Storage: 5MB per file upload limit

Limits: No team workspaces, Limited page history (7 days), No admin tools, 20 AI responses lifetime (not renewable)

5MB file upload limit blocks many use cases, 20 lifetime AI responses only (not monthly), Guests count toward limits quickly

Plus

Popular

$10/mo

Users: 1 user (unlimited guests)

Storage: Unlimited file uploads

Limits: No Notion AI beyond 20 responses, No SAML SSO, No advanced permissions, No private teamspaces

Still only 20 AI responses lifetime (same as free!), $12/month if billed monthly, No team features included

Business

$20/mo

Users: Per user pricing

Storage: Unlimited

Limits: No user provisioning (SCIM), No audit log, No advanced security controls

$24/user/month if billed monthly, Implementation costs $2,400-6,000 for Year 1, $480/year per 5 custom domains, Seats cannot be reclaimed mid-cycle

Enterprise

$0/mo

Users: Custom

Storage: Unlimited

Limits: Must contact sales, Annual contracts only

Custom pricing (typically $25-35/user/month based on reports), Annual commitment required, Implementation and training costs

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

Feature	Notion	Ulysses
Collaboration
Real-time collaboration Multiple users can edit simultaneously
Collaboration Not available
Usability
Distraction-free writing Core strength
Markdown support Excellent implementation
Reliability
Offline mode Limited - 50 rows max, no browser support, sync conflicts
iCloud sync Across Apple devices
Version history Available
AI
AI assistant Business plan only ($20/user). Plus gets 20 lifetime responses.
Platform
Mac/iPad/iPhone apps Native Apple apps
Windows app Not available, no plans
Android app Not available, no plans
Web version Not available
Accessibility
Mobile app Available but slow, frequent reloads needed
Security
End-to-end encryption Notion can access your content
Page password protection Cannot password-protect individual pages
Publishing
Direct publishing WordPress, Medium, Ghost
ePub export Excellent quality
PDF/DOCX export Multiple format support
Data
Relational databases Available but performance degrades at 5000+ records
Charts and graphs Basic only, requires external tools for advanced visualization
Integrations
API access Available on all plans
Organization
Library organization Groups, filters, keywords
Productivity
Templates library Extensive official and community templates
Writing goals Word count targets
Enterprise
SAML SSO Business plan and above only
Audit logs Enterprise plan only
Custom domains Additional $480/year per 5 domains
Pricing
Setapp included Part of Setapp bundle
One-time purchase Subscription only
Project Management
Native Gantt charts Timeline view exists but not full Gantt functionality
Formatting
Table support Not available