Hearth vs Ulysses: Which Minimal Editor Is Right for You?
Both Hearth and Ulysses are clean, focused writing apps. But they serve different writers. Ulysses is a polished Apple-only Markdown editor. Hearth is a cross-platform writing habit machine with AI built in. Here's how they compare.
Quick Take
If you're in the Apple ecosystem and want Markdown publishing, Ulysses is solid. If you want AI assistance, writing streaks, cross-platform access, and beta reader tools—try Hearth.
Try Hearth freeFeature Comparison
| Feature | Hearth | Ulysses |
|---|---|---|
| Works on Windows, Mac, Linux, any browser | ||
| Minimal distraction-free editor | ||
| Project & folder organization | ||
| AI writing suggestions | ||
| Writing streak tracking | ||
| Daily writing goals | ||
| Email & Discord reminders | ||
| Document sharing & reviews | ||
| Custom themes & full color control | ||
| Version history | ||
| Markdown support | ||
| iCloud sync | ||
| Native Mac/iPad app | ||
| Publish to WordPress/Medium |
The Platform Problem
Ulysses requires macOS or iOS. If you own a Windows PC, a Chromebook, a Linux machine, or an Android phone—you're out of luck. Hearth works everywhere a browser works.
This matters more than people think. Inspiration doesn't wait for you to be at your MacBook. With Hearth, you can capture ideas on any device and your writing syncs automatically.
AI Writing Assistance
Hearth includes AI tab-complete powered by OpenAI. When you're stuck on a sentence, hit tab and get an intelligent continuation. It's not about replacing your voice—it's about maintaining momentum when the words won't come.
Ulysses doesn't include AI writing features. You'd need a separate tool or subscription to get similar functionality.
Building Writing Habits
Both apps have daily writing goals, but Hearth goes much further. Writing streak tracking, visual progress dashboards, and email/Discord reminders create an accountability system that actually keeps you writing.
Ulysses shows word count goals but doesn't track streaks or send reminders. The difference matters when motivation dips.
Sharing and Feedback
Ulysses can publish directly to WordPress and Medium—great for bloggers. Hearth focuses on sharing drafts with beta readers and collecting structured reviews. Different strengths for different needs.
Pricing
Hearth
- 7-day free trial, no card required
- All features + AI included
- Works on every platform
Ulysses
- 14-day trial
- Apple devices only
- No AI writing features