Ulysses Alternatives for Mac

There are many alternatives to Ulysses for Mac if you are looking for a replacement. The best Mac alternative is Zettlr, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to Ulysses and loads of them are available for Mac so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Mac alternatives to Ulysses are Microsoft Word, Typora, CherryTree and Scrivener.

Ulysses alternatives are mainly Note-taking Tools but may also be Novel Authoring Tools or Text Editors. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Ulysses.

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Free + Novel Authoring

Ulysses

Paid • Proprietary
Novel Authoring Tool

Ulysses is a text editor for creative writers. Used by bloggers, poets, students and published novelists all over the...

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Ulysses alternatives page was last updated

Zettlr
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Text Editor
Novel Authoring Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
140 Zettlr alternatives
Zettlr is a one-stop publication workbench that combines many writing features and collects them in one application. It aims at speeding up your workflow and help you write without any interruptions.
- - Zettlr is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to Ulysses.
- - Zettlr is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Ulysses.
Suggest and vote on features
Zettlr Features
1. Support for MarkDownZettlr supports MarkDown for document formatting.
2. File TaggingZettlr can organize and highlight your files with tags and labels.
3. Ad-freeZettlr doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
4. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Zettlr without registration.
5. Live PreviewInstantly see what your files and documents look like as you create them.
6. Hierarchical StructureOrganize your notes, pages, documents, etc., hierarchically with Zettlr.
7. Syntax HighlightingZettlr supports syntax highlighting for various programming and markup languages.
8. Privacy focusedZettlr is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
9. No Coding RequiredZettlr can be used without an coding or programming skills.
Zettelkasten note method
Multiple export options
Zotero integration
Note organization
Link files
Built-in themes
Export to LaTeX
Sync with Nextcloud
Tasklists
Interactive tables
Microsoft Word
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
Word Processor
Mac
Windows
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
Windows Phone
iPad
92 Microsoft Word alternatives
Microsoft Word, part of the Microsoft 365 (Office) but also sold as a standalone application, is Microsoft's word processor. Its proprietary (but open-specification) DOC format is considered a de-facto standard, although from 2007 and...
- - Microsoft Word is the most popular Android, iPhone, iPad & Android Tablet alternative to Ulysses.
- - Microsoft Word is the most popular commercial alternative to Ulysses.
Suggest and vote on features
Microsoft Word Features
1. Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in Microsoft Word simultaneously.
2. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsMicrosoft Word can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
3. Dark ModeMicrosoft Word supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
4. Spell CheckingMicrosoft Word can detect and correct all types of grammar and spelling mistakes.
5. Text to SpeechMicrosoft Word allows you to transform written text into spoken text.
6. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
7. Full-Text SearchMicrosoft Word lets you search for specific words or phrases from inside a document or database.
8. Works OfflineMicrosoft Word can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
9. PDF annotationMicrosoft Word support PDF Annotation for highlighting, notes etc
Convert Word documents to PDF
Document structure management
Ribbon Interface
Custom styles
Export to PDF
Text boxes
Cross-references
Digital Signage
Integrated PDF Viewer
Onedrive integration
Typora
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
Note-taking Tool
Text Editor
Mac
Windows
Linux
Electron / Atom Shell
144 Typora alternatives
Typora gives you a seamless experience as both a reader and a writer. It removes the preview window, mode switcher, syntax symbols of markdown source code, and all other unnecessary distractions. Instead, it provides a real live preview feature to help you concentrate on the...
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Typora Features
1. Support for MarkDownTypora supports MarkDown for document formatting.
2. Live PreviewInstantly see what your files and documents look like as you create them.
3. Distraction-freeTypora has a distraction-free mode for when you need to focus.
4. WYSIWYG SupportTypora integrates a WYSIWYG editor to edit the look and content of a document, page, or file.
5. LightweightTypora consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
6. Support for LaTeXTypora supports LaTeX for text and math equation formatting.
7. Support for ThemesYou can use themes and templates to change the look and feel of Typora.
8. Code FormattingTypora supports code formatting for multiple languages and code styles.
9. Spell CheckingTypora can detect and correct all types of grammar and spelling mistakes.
Write files in markdown
Save as Markdown
Clean design
Simple text editor
Code Syntax Highlighting
Export to PDF
Multiplatform
Nested Folders
Minimalistic
Multiple languages
Comments about Typora as a Alternative to Ulysses
Most users think Typora is a great Ulysses alternative.
Wonder Warthog
Also features a handy files panel to the left. Display and editing is distraction free and very clean (cleaner than Ulysses).
Positive comment •
4
CherryTree
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Todo List Manager
Mac
Windows
Linux
PortableApps.com
29 CherryTree alternatives
A hierarchical note taking application, featuring rich text and syntax highlighting, storing data in a single xml or sqlite file.
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CherryTree Features
1. Hierarchical StructureOrganize your notes, pages, documents, etc., hierarchically with CherryTree.
2. Syntax HighlightingCherryTree supports syntax highlighting for various programming and markup languages.
3. Support for MarkDownCherryTree supports MarkDown for document formatting.
4. Code FormattingCherryTree supports code formatting for multiple languages and code styles.
5. PortableCherryTree can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Tree structure
Infinite hierarchical depth
Includes images in notes
Outliner
Tree view
Text-manipulation
Internal linking
Tree-style
Customizable
Export to HTML
Opinions about CherryTree as a Alternative to Ulysses
Most users think CherryTree is a great Ulysses alternative.
Scrivener
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
Novel Authoring Tool
Note-taking Tool
Word Processor
Mac
Windows
iPhone
iPad
PlayOnLinux (PlayOnMac)
Wine
98 Scrivener alternatives
Typewriter. Ring-binder. Scrapbook. Scrivener combines everything you need to craft your first draft, from nascent notion to final full stop.
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Scrivener Features
1. Support for scriptingScrivener supports scripts and macros to automate or customize tasks.
2. Support for LaTeXScrivener supports LaTeX for text and math equation formatting.
Corkboard
Integrated Search
Document compiler
Multi-document View
Split files into sections
Visual Organization
Scene Management
Character database
Folders
Export to PDF
Comments about Scrivener as a Alternative to Ulysses
Most users think Scrivener is a great Ulysses alternative.
Guest
Not convenient about keyboard shortcuts on formatting on windows platform
Top negative comment •
0

Guest
Scrivener is a terrible alternative to Ulysses. It's not a markdown editor, the interface is cluttered, and there are so many features that are cumbersome and unintuitive that it takes forever to figure them out. With Ulysses, it's more what you see is what you get. You can focus more on writing. You don't have to try to learn the app as much, and it's markdown, so you can focus on content, not formatting.
Negative comment •
0

Jacq
Scrivener is all about the metadata, while Ulysses is about writing.
Negative comment •
1

Guest
Ulysses is WYSIWYM, while Scrivener is WYSIWYG. It can be extremely time-consuming to set the font styling right in every dialog box that controls the fonts. Ulysses, on the other hand, has one font setting, then the styles dictate how the editor is displayed. It's much more focused on content than appearance.
Negative comment •
3

Wonder Warthog
Doesn't use Markdown format. Focus on tons of features instead of distraction-free writing.
Negative comment •
-5
Manuskript
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Novel Authoring Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
Flathub
102 Manuskript alternatives
Manuskript is an open-source tool for writers, with outliner, character management, plot development, distraction-free editor, etc.
Suggest and vote on features
Manuskript Features
1. Works OfflineManuskript can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
2. Ad-freeManuskript doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
3. Dark ModeManuskript supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
4. Support for MarkDownManuskript supports MarkDown for document formatting.
5. File VersioningManuskript has a version system that lets you view and go back to older versions of the project/file/document.
Outliner
Tree structure
Tracking of plots
Distraction-free Writing
Tracking of characters
Plot visualisation
Track Characters
Export to EPUB
Visual timeline
Tracking of locations
Opinions about Manuskript as a Alternative to Ulysses
Most users think Manuskript is a great Ulysses alternative.
Dendron
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
Visual Studio Code
186 Dendron alternatives
Dendron is an open-source, local-first, markdown-based, note-taking tool built on top of VSCode. It supports all the usual features you would expect like tagging, backlinks, a graph view, split panes, and so forth.
Suggest and vote on features
Dendron Features
1. Support for MarkDownDendron supports MarkDown for document formatting.
2. Hierarchical StructureOrganize your notes, pages, documents, etc., hierarchically with Dendron.
3. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsDendron can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
4. Privacy focusedDendron is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
Local Storage
Block reference
Graph view
VSCode
Backlinks
Quick reference lookup
Publishing
Tagging
Bidirectional links
Built-in themes
Bear
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Note-taking Tool
Todo List Manager
Mac
iPhone
iPad
209 Bear alternatives
Bear is a beautiful and flexible writing app for note-taking and prose, both on the go for iOS devices and for the Mac OS desktop.
Suggest and vote on features
Bear Features
1. Support for MarkDownBear supports MarkDown for document formatting.
2. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
3. Syntax HighlightingBear supports syntax highlighting for various programming and markup languages.
4. Ad-freeBear doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
5. Works OfflineBear can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
6. Dark ModeBear supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
7. LightweightBear consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
8. Web ClipperSave any page or content from the web with a single click with Bear.
9. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Bear without registration.
Distraction-free Writing
Nested tags
Search by tags
Notes synchronisation
Export to Word
Export to PDF
Tagging
Sync with iCloud
Note Manager
WYSIWYG Support
Opinions about Bear as a Alternative to Ulysses
Almost everyone thinks Bear is a great Ulysses alternative.
iA Writer
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
Note-taking Tool
Text Editor
Mac
Windows
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
109 iA Writer alternatives
The key to good writing is not that magical glass of Bordeaux, the right kind of tobacco or that groovy background music. The key is focus. What you need to write well is a spartan setting that allows you to fully concentrate on your text and nothing but your text.
Suggest and vote on features
iA Writer Features
1. Distraction-freeiA Writer has a distraction-free mode for when you need to focus.
2. Support for MarkDowniA Writer supports MarkDown for document formatting.
3. Support for LaTeXiA Writer supports LaTeX for text and math equation formatting.
4. Syntax HighlightingiA Writer supports syntax highlighting for various programming and markup languages.
5. Works OfflineiA Writer can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
6. Dark ModeiA Writer supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
Distraction-free Writing
Nested Folders
Integrated into iOS
HTML/CSS/JS rendering
Comments about iA Writer as a Alternative to Ulysses
Almost everyone thinks iA Writer is a great Ulysses alternative.
Guest
I use iA Writer on Mac and mobiles and it is a first-class tool for handling notes and actual writing. In some ways I prefer it to Ulysses -- it's a proper Markdown editor and I can write jumps and anchors on long documents. I have a iA licence for Windows for when I use that platform.
Positive comment •
1

hildissent
Solid application. I like the file browser in Ulysses better (tags are cool but can get messy), but iA Writer has some solid features like referencing files (write frequently used text once, update it at the source and be sure it is up to date anywhere it is used in the larger work) and using .csv files for tables. Also, they've avoided the subscription model. As long as there are alternatives, I'm not letting companies ding me for monthly fees.
Positive comment •
6