Ulysses Alternative: Writing Apps for Mac and Beyond

Ulysses is a beloved writing app for Apple devices. But not everyone wants to be locked into the Apple ecosystem or pay a subscription for a native app. Here's what to look for in an alternative.

What Writers Love About Ulysses

• Beautiful, native Mac/iOS interface
• Markdown-based writing
• Sheet-based organization (documents as cards)
• iCloud sync across Apple devices
• Distraction-free writing mode
• Publishing to WordPress, Medium, etc.

Why Writers Seek Alternatives

• Apple-only: No Windows, Linux, or web access. If you switch platforms or use multiple, you're stuck.
• Subscription cost: $5.99/month or $49.99/year for what some feel should be a one-time purchase.
• No habit tracking: No streaks, daily goals, or writing reminders built in.
• iCloud dependency: Your writing lives in Apple's ecosystem. Exporting is possible but extra steps.
• Learning curve: The sheet/group organization can be confusing at first.

Comparing Ulysses to Alternatives

Platform Access

Ulysses: Mac, iPad, iPhone only.

Hearth: Any device with a browser. Mac, Windows, Linux, tablets, Chromebooks.

Writing Habit Features

Ulysses: Word count goals per session. No streaks or long-term habit tracking.

Hearth: Daily streaks, progress tracking over time, customizable reminders, goal visualization.

Organization

Ulysses: Groups and sheets. Flexible but can become unwieldy for large projects.

Hearth: Projects, folders, and documents. Hierarchical structure familiar to most users.

Sync and Access

Ulysses: iCloud sync within Apple ecosystem.

Hearth: Cloud-based. Access from any device, anywhere. No sync conflicts.

When Ulysses Still Makes Sense

Ulysses is a good choice if you:

• Use only Apple devices and plan to continue
• Want a beautiful native Mac/iOS experience
• Need direct publishing to WordPress or Medium
• Don't need habit tracking features
• Don't mind the subscription model

Making the Switch

If you're moving from Ulysses:

• Export your sheets as Markdown or plain text
• Create a project structure in your new app
• Import or paste your content
• Set up your daily writing goals and reminders

Related Resources

• Scrivener Alternative →
• iA Writer Alternative →
• Writing Streaks →