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Productivity · head to head

7-Zip vs Ulysses

7-Zip logo

7-Zip

Productivity

Free and open-source file archiver with high compression and strong encryption

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Ulysses logo

Ulysses

Productivity

Distraction-free writing application for creative professionals

From
$5.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only 7-Zip has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: 7-Zip windows-centric GUI design; native graphical interface is Windows-only, with no first-class macOS or Linux GUI applications provided; Ulysses subscription only at $5.99 a month or $39.99 a year, with no one off purchase option

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which 7-Zip and Ulysses actually diverge.

Attributes where 7-Zip and Ulysses differ
Attribute7-ZipUlysses
Starting priceFree$5.99/month
Pricing modelopen-sourcesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, Linux, macOSMacOS, IOS, IPadOS
FoundedUnknown2003

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Productivity).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in 7-Zip

Nothing recorded that Ulysses does not also cover.

Only in Ulysses

  • Distraction-free writing
  • Markdown support
  • Syntax highlighting
  • Organization with sheets and groups
  • iCloud sync
  • Dark and light themes
  • Full-screen mode
  • Search and filter

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

7-Zip

  • Creating highly compressed archives for backup and storage optimisationnot Ulysses
  • Distributing self-extracting executables to users who lack archive toolsnot Ulysses
  • Unpacking diverse archive formats (RAR, ISO, DMG) without purchasing separate toolsnot Ulysses
  • CI/CD automation via command-line compression and extractionnot Ulysses
  • Encrypting sensitive files with AES-256 for secure transmissionnot Ulysses
  • Restoring archived VirtualBox and VMware disk imagesnot Ulysses

Ulysses

  • Long form writing and drafting across Mac, iPad and iPhonenot 7-Zip
  • Managing a library of drafts with markdown and export to publishing formatsnot 7-Zip

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

7-Zip

  • Windows-centric GUI design; native graphical interface is Windows-only, with no first-class macOS or Linux GUI applications provided
  • Linux and macOS support primarily through command-line tools; no native file manager integration on these platforms
  • User interface design is dated compared to modern alternatives; visual feedback and UX polish lag behind commercial archivers
  • ARM64 support limited to Windows; no ARM64 build for Linux or macOS despite growing ARM adoption
  • No built-in cloud storage integration or synchronisation; cannot extract directly to Dropbox, OneDrive, or Google Drive

Ulysses

  • Subscription only at $5.99 a month or $39.99 a year, with no one off purchase option
  • The apps stop being usable as a writing tool when the subscription lapses, since there is no perpetual licence to fall back on
  • The student discount is mentioned without a figure on the pricing page

Pricing, plan by plan

7-Zip

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the 7-Zip review.

Ulysses

$5.99/month
  • Monthly$5.99/month
    • All features
    • iCloud sync
    • Cross-platform access
  • Annual$49.99/year
    • All features
    • iCloud sync
    • Cross-platform access

Which should you pick?

Choose 7-Zip if

  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Linux, macOS.
7-Zip review

Choose Ulysses if

  • You need distraction-free writing.
  • You work on MacOS, IOS, IPadOS.
  • You also want markdown support.
Ulysses review

Questions people ask

Is 7-Zip or Ulysses better?
Neither clearly leads. 7-Zip starts at Free and Ulysses at $5.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, 7-Zip or Ulysses?
7-Zip has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for 7-Zip and $5.99/month for Ulysses.
Does 7-Zip or Ulysses run on more platforms?
7-Zip runs on Windows, Linux, macOS. Ulysses runs on MacOS, IOS, IPadOS.
Can I use 7-Zip for free?
Yes. 7-Zip has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Ulysses starts at $5.99/month.
What is 7-Zip best used for?
7-Zip is most often used for creating highly compressed archives for backup and storage optimisation, distributing self-extracting executables to users who lack archive tools, unpacking diverse archive formats (rar, iso, dmg) without purchasing separate tools, ci/cd automation via command-line compression and extraction. Of those, creating highly compressed archives for backup and storage optimisation and distributing self-extracting executables to users who lack archive tools are not what Ulysses is typically brought in for.
What can 7-Zip do that Ulysses cannot?
Ulysses covers Distraction-free writing, Markdown support, Syntax highlighting, Organization with sheets and groups.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

7-Zip: Is 7-Zip free to use commercially?

Yes. 7-Zip is licensed under GNU LGPL with BSD 3-clause portions, permitting commercial and personal use without fees, registration, or restrictions.

Source
7-Zip: What file formats does 7-Zip support?

7-Zip natively creates 7z archives and supports packing/unpacking ZIP, GZIP, BZIP2, XZ, TAR, and WIM. It can unpack 30+ additional formats including RAR, ISO, DMG, and VirtualBox disk images without requiring external tools.

Source
7-Zip: Does 7-Zip work on macOS and Linux?

Yes. 7-Zip operates on Windows, Linux, and macOS. Graphical interfaces are optimised for Windows; Linux and macOS primarily use command-line tools. Port and third-party GUI applications extend functionality on these platforms.

Source
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