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Productivity · head to head

Bring! vs Ulysses

Bring! logo

Bring!

Productivity

Free shared grocery list app with a simple icon-based interface, no subscription required for core use

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 Bring! has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Bring! its recipe management is simpler than AnyList or Samsung Food, so it is a weaker choice for someone who wants to build out a recipe collection.; Ulysses no free tier available
  • They diverge on capability: Bring! covers Shared shopping lists, Ulysses covers Distraction-free writing.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Bring! and Ulysses actually diverge.

Attributes where Bring! and Ulysses differ
AttributeBring!Ulysses
Starting priceFree$5.99/month
Pricing modelFree, with an optional paid Premium tier for extrassubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, Android, WebMacOS, 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 Bring!

  • Shared shopping lists
  • Icon-based item catalogue
  • Recipe to list
  • Multiple lists
  • Offline use
  • Optional Premium tier

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.

Bring!

  • A household that wants a fast, free shared shopping list with no subscription requirednot Ulysses
  • Someone who prefers picking items from a visual catalogue rather than typing free text every timenot Ulysses
  • A user who wants basic recipe-to-list functionality without a full recipe managernot Ulysses
  • A family wanting separate lists for different stores or occasions kept in sync automaticallynot Ulysses

Ulysses

  • Writing and editing on Apple devicesnot Bring!
  • Cross-device document synchronizationnot Bring!
  • Markdown-based writingnot Bring!

Where each one falls short

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

Bring!

  • Its recipe management is simpler than AnyList or Samsung Food, so it is a weaker choice for someone who wants to build out a recipe collection.
  • It has no smart appliance integration, unlike Samsung Food, so it offers nothing extra for a household with connected kitchen hardware.
  • Store-layout customisation for sorting items is less granular than AnyList offers.
  • The icon-based catalogue, while fast, can be limiting for unusual or specific items not well represented in the illustrated catalogue.
  • The free tier carries ads, which the optional Premium subscription removes.

Ulysses

  • No free tier available
  • Only subscription model, no one-time purchase option
  • Family Sharing limited to 5 additional members (6 total users)

Pricing, plan by plan

Bring!

Free
  • Bring!Free
    • Shared shopping lists
    • Icon-based item catalogue
    • Recipe to list
  • Bring! Premium$1.99/month
    • Ad removal
    • Extra themes and convenience features

Ulysses

$5.99/month
  • Annual Subscription$39.99/year
    • Ulysses on all Macs, iPads, and iPhones
    • Full iCloud synchronization
    • Frequent improvements and updates
  • Monthly Subscription$5.99/month
    • Ulysses on all Macs, iPads, and iPhones
    • Full iCloud synchronization
    • Frequent improvements and updates

Which should you pick?

Choose Bring! if

  • You need shared shopping lists.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want icon-based item catalogue.
Bring! 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 Bring! or Ulysses better?
Neither clearly leads. Bring! 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, Bring! or Ulysses?
Bring! has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Bring! and $5.99/month for Ulysses.
Does Bring! or Ulysses run on more platforms?
Bring! runs on iOS, Android, Web. Ulysses runs on MacOS, IOS, IPadOS.
Can I use Bring! for free?
Yes. Bring! has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Ulysses starts at $5.99/month.
What is Bring! best used for?
Bring! is most often used for a household that wants a fast, free shared shopping list with no subscription required, someone who prefers picking items from a visual catalogue rather than typing free text every time, a user who wants basic recipe-to-list functionality without a full recipe manager, a family wanting separate lists for different stores or occasions kept in sync automatically. Of those, a household that wants a fast, free shared shopping list with no subscription required and someone who prefers picking items from a visual catalogue rather than typing free text every time are not what Ulysses is typically brought in for.
What can Bring! do that Ulysses cannot?
Bring! covers Shared shopping lists, Icon-based item catalogue, Recipe to list, Multiple lists. Ulysses covers Distraction-free writing, Markdown support, Syntax highlighting, Organization with sheets and groups.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Bring!: Is Bring! free?

Yes, the core shared shopping list function is free; Premium is optional and adds cosmetic and convenience extras.

Ulysses: What are Ulysses pricing options?

Ulysses costs $39.99 per year (annual) or $5.99 per month (monthly). Student discounts are available. Volume licensing is available for businesses through their licensing portal.

Source
Bring!: Does it support recipes?

It has a simpler recipe-to-list feature, less developed than AnyList or Samsung Food.

Ulysses: Does Ulysses include Family Sharing?

Yes, both annual and monthly Ulysses subscriptions include Apple Family Sharing, allowing up to five additional family members to use Ulysses on their devices at no extra cost.

Source
Bring!: Does it work offline?

Yes, lists remain usable offline and sync once a connection is restored.

Ulysses: Can I get Ulysses through a subscription service?

Yes, Ulysses is available through the Setapp subscription service as an alternative to direct subscription. Volume licensing is also available for businesses and organizations through their licensing portal.

Source
Ulysses: Does Ulysses pricing vary by location?

Prices listed apply to the U.S., and local pricing may differ in other regions. Check your regional App Store for exact pricing.

Source
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