Softwr

Productivity · head to head

Brain.fm vs Ulysses

Brain.fm logo

Brain.fm

Productivity

Scientifically-designed music to enhance focus and productivity

From
$14.99/month
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: Brain.fm monthly plan at $14.99/month significantly more expensive per unit than annual plan ($8.33/month equivalent); Ulysses subscription only at $5.99 a month or $39.99 a year, with no one off purchase option
  • They diverge on capability: Brain.fm covers Neuroscience-designed music, Ulysses covers Distraction-free writing.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Brain.fm and Ulysses actually diverge.

Attributes where Brain.fm and Ulysses differ
AttributeBrain.fmUlysses
Starting price$14.99/month$5.99/month
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, DesktopMacOS, IOS, IPadOS
Founded20152003

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), 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 Brain.fm

  • Neuroscience-designed music
  • Focus tracks
  • Relaxation tracks
  • Sleep tracks
  • Offline mode
  • Multiple genres
  • Cross-platform access
  • Ad-free experience

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.

Brain.fm

  • Knowledge workers requiring focus audio for deep work blocksnot Ulysses
  • ADHD individuals seeking neurologically-optimised audio for concentrationnot Ulysses
  • Students preparing for exams with learning and meditation supportnot Ulysses

Ulysses

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

Where each one falls short

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

Brain.fm

  • Monthly plan at $14.99/month significantly more expensive per unit than annual plan ($8.33/month equivalent)
  • ADHD mode available only with active subscription; no trial access to specialised features
  • No offline mode documented; requires internet connectivity for audio delivery
  • Content library composition not published (proprietary vs. licensed music distinction unclear)

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

Brain.fm

$14.99/month

No published plan breakdown. See the Brain.fm 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 Brain.fm if

  • You need neuroscience-designed music.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, Desktop.
  • You also want focus tracks.
Brain.fm 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 Brain.fm or Ulysses better?
Neither clearly leads. Brain.fm starts at $14.99/month and Ulysses at $5.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Brain.fm or Ulysses?
Brain.fm starts at $14.99/month and Ulysses at $5.99/month.
Does Brain.fm or Ulysses run on more platforms?
Brain.fm runs on Web, iOS, Android, Desktop. Ulysses runs on MacOS, IOS, IPadOS.
What is Brain.fm best used for?
Brain.fm is most often used for knowledge workers requiring focus audio for deep work blocks, adhd individuals seeking neurologically-optimised audio for concentration, students preparing for exams with learning and meditation support. Of those, knowledge workers requiring focus audio for deep work blocks and adhd individuals seeking neurologically-optimised audio for concentration are not what Ulysses is typically brought in for.
What can Brain.fm do that Ulysses cannot?
Brain.fm covers Neuroscience-designed music, Focus tracks, Relaxation tracks, Sleep tracks. Ulysses covers Distraction-free writing, Markdown support, Syntax highlighting, Organization with sheets and groups.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Brain.fm

More on Ulysses

Keep looking

Other head to heads