Softwr

Productivity · head to head

Bear vs Ulysses

Bear logo

Bear

Productivity

Markdown notes for Apple devices

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Ulysses logo

Ulysses

Productivity

Distraction-free writing application for creative professionals

From
$5.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Bear built for Apple hardware only, with no Windows, Android or web client; 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 Bear and Ulysses actually diverge.

Attributes where Bear and Ulysses differ
AttributeBearUlysses
Starting priceOn request$5.99/month
PlatformsWebMacOS, IOS, IPadOS
CategoryUnknownProductivity
FoundedUnknown2003

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated).

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

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.

Bear

No use cases recorded yet. See the Bear review.

Ulysses

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

Where each one falls short

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

Bear

  • Built for Apple hardware only, with no Windows, Android or web client
  • Free tier is limited to 3 themes, 1 app icon and restricted export formats; iCloud sync requires Bear Pro
  • Bear Pro is $2.99 per month or $29.99 per year after a 7 day free trial

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

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Bear 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 Bear if

Nothing in the data separates Bear from Ulysses on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Bear 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 Bear or Ulysses better?
Neither clearly leads. Bear starts at On request 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 or Ulysses?
Bear starts at On request and Ulysses at $5.99/month.
Does Bear or Ulysses run on more platforms?
Bear runs on Web. Ulysses runs on MacOS, IOS, IPadOS.
What can Bear do that Ulysses cannot?
Ulysses covers Distraction-free writing, Markdown support, Syntax highlighting, Organization with sheets and groups.
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