Obsidian
Ulysses
No signals
Obsidian
Ulysses
Obsidian
Ulysses
Obsidian
Ulysses
Obsidian
Ulysses
Users: Unlimited
Storage: Unlimited (local)
Limits: No built-in sync, No web access to publish, Must self-manage backups
Users: 1 user
Storage: 10GB total, 200MB per file
Limits: Per-vault pricing, Cannot share with others
Users: 1 site
Storage: 4GB
Limits: One-way sharing only, Not collaborative editing
Users: 1 user
Storage: N/A
Limits: Not required for any features, Purely supporter benefit
Users: 1 user (all Apple devices)
Storage: Unlimited (iCloud)
Limits: Apple devices only, No web version
Users: 1 user (all Apple devices)
Storage: Unlimited (iCloud)
Limits: Apple devices only, No web version
Users: 1 user
Storage: Unlimited
Limits: Must maintain educational status
Users: 1 user
Storage: Unlimited
Limits: Bundled with other apps you may not need
| Feature | Obsidian | Ulysses |
|---|---|---|
| Security | ||
| Local-first storage Plain Markdown files you own | ||
| End-to-end encrypted sync Obsidian Sync only ($4/mo) | ||
| Usability | ||
| Distraction-free writing Core strength | ||
| Markdown support Core format | ||
| Web version No browser access | ||
| Organization | ||
| Bidirectional linking Core feature | ||
| Library organization Groups, filters, keywords | ||
| Native database views Requires Dataview plugin | ||
| Visualization | ||
| Graph view Visualize note connections | ||
| Canvas/whiteboard Built-in canvas feature | ||
| Platform | ||
| Mac/iPad/iPhone apps Native Apple apps | ||
| Windows app Not available, no plans | ||
| Android app Not available, no plans | ||
| Customization | ||
| Community plugins 1000+ available, quality varies | ||
| Custom themes Extensive theme marketplace | ||
| Reliability | ||
| iCloud sync Across Apple devices | ||
| Offline access Full offline by default | ||
| Version history Available | ||
| Publishing | ||
| Direct publishing WordPress, Medium, Ghost | ||
| ePub export Excellent quality | ||
| Publish to web Obsidian Publish ($8/mo) | ||
| PDF/DOCX export Multiple format support | ||
| Mobile | ||
| Mobile apps iOS and Android, basic experience | ||
| Productivity | ||
| Writing goals Word count targets | ||
| Templates Core and Templater plugin | ||
| Built-in task management Requires plugins | ||
| Pricing | ||
| Setapp included Part of Setapp bundle | ||
| Free personal use No feature restrictions | ||
| One-time purchase Subscription only | ||
| Formatting | ||
| Table support Not available | ||
| Collaboration | ||
| Real-time collaboration Not available | ||
| Collaboration Not available | ||
| AI | ||
| AI features Requires third-party plugins | ||
