Software · head to head
Bear Notes vs Ulysses
Ulysses
Software
Distraction-free writing application for creative professionals
- From
- $5.99/month
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Bear Notes has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Bear Notes apple only: Bear runs on Mac, iPhone and iPad with no Windows, Android or web app; Ulysses subscription only at $5.99 a month or $39.99 a year, with no one off purchase option
- They diverge on capability: Bear Notes covers Markdown-based notes, Ulysses covers Distraction-free writing.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Bear Notes and Ulysses actually diverge.
| Attribute | Bear Notes | Ulysses |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $5.99/month |
| Pricing model | freemium | subscription |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Founded | 2015 | 2003 |
Identical on both: platforms (MacOS, IOS, IPadOS), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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 Bear Notes
- Markdown-based notes
- Powerful tag system
- Rich text formatting
- Image support
- Encryption support
- Backup and restore
Only in Ulysses
- Distraction-free writing
- Markdown support
- Syntax highlighting
- Organization with sheets and groups
- Full-screen mode
- Search and filter
Both cover
- iCloud sync
- Dark and light themes
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Bear Notes
- Markdown note taking on Apple devicesnot Ulysses
- Organising notes with nested hashtags rather than foldersnot Ulysses
- Exporting notes to PDF, DOCX, HTML or ePubnot Ulysses
Ulysses
- Long form writing and drafting across Mac, iPad and iPhonenot Bear Notes
- Managing a library of drafts with markdown and export to publishing formatsnot Bear Notes
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Bear Notes
- Apple only: Bear runs on Mac, iPhone and iPad with no Windows, Android or web app
- Sync across devices requires Bear Pro and works through iCloud only
- The free version is limited to 3 export formats, 3 themes and 1 app icon
- OCR search inside images and PDFs is Pro only
- Note encryption is Pro only
- The Pro trial lasts 7 days
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
Bear Notes
Free- FreeFree
- Note creation and organization
- Tags
- Local sync
- Premium$1.99/month
- iCloud sync
- Themes
- Markdown export
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 Bear Notes if
- You need markdown-based notes.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on MacOS, IOS, IPadOS.
- You also want powerful tag system.
Choose Ulysses if
- You need distraction-free writing.
- You work on MacOS, IOS, IPadOS.
- You also want markdown support.
Questions people ask
- Is Bear Notes or Ulysses better?
- Neither clearly leads. Bear Notes 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, Bear Notes or Ulysses?
- Bear Notes has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Bear Notes and $5.99/month for Ulysses.
- Does Bear Notes or Ulysses run on more platforms?
- Both run on MacOS, IOS, IPadOS, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
- Can I use Bear Notes for free?
- Yes. Bear Notes has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Ulysses starts at $5.99/month.
- What is Bear Notes best used for?
- Bear Notes is most often used for markdown note taking on apple devices, organising notes with nested hashtags rather than folders, exporting notes to pdf, docx, html or epub. Of those, markdown note taking on apple devices and organising notes with nested hashtags rather than folders are not what Ulysses is typically brought in for.
- What can Bear Notes do that Ulysses cannot?
- Bear Notes covers Markdown-based notes, Powerful tag system, Rich text formatting, Image support. Ulysses covers Distraction-free writing, Markdown support, Syntax highlighting, Organization with sheets and groups. Both handle iCloud sync, Dark and light themes.