Softwr

Productivity · head to head

Canary Mail vs Ulysses

Canary Mail logo

Canary Mail

Productivity

Security-focused AI email client with end-to-end encryption and a lifetime purchase option

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 Canary Mail has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Canary Mail pGP encryption only protects a message if the recipient also supports and uses PGP, so most everyday mail to non-technical contacts stays unencrypted regardless.; Ulysses no free tier available
  • They diverge on capability: Canary Mail covers AI Copilot, Ulysses covers Distraction-free writing.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Canary Mail and Ulysses actually diverge.

Attributes where Canary Mail and Ulysses differ
AttributeCanary MailUlysses
Starting priceFree$5.99/month
Pricing modelPer user per year, or one-time purchasesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsmacOS, Windows, iOS, AndroidMacOS, 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 Canary Mail

  • AI Copilot
  • AI Summaries
  • Smart Search
  • PGP encryption
  • Read receipts
  • Lifetime licence

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.

Canary Mail

  • A privacy-conscious user who wants PGP encryption built into a mainstream-feeling clientnot Ulysses
  • Someone who wants to avoid an open-ended subscription and prefers a lifetime purchasenot Ulysses
  • A user who wants AI summaries without sending mail content through an unfamiliar third party indefinitelynot Ulysses
  • Someone consolidating several IMAP accounts into one client with unified searchnot Ulysses

Ulysses

  • Writing and editing on Apple devicesnot Canary Mail
  • Cross-device document synchronizationnot Canary Mail
  • Markdown-based writingnot Canary Mail

Where each one falls short

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

Canary Mail

  • PGP encryption only protects a message if the recipient also supports and uses PGP, so most everyday mail to non-technical contacts stays unencrypted regardless.
  • Team and shared-inbox features are minimal compared with Spark or dedicated tools, so it does not suit a support team out of the box.
  • The lifetime purchase price and terms have shifted over past versions, and buyers should confirm current lifetime pricing directly before assuming it still applies.
  • AI features still require sending thread content to a processing service to generate drafts and summaries, so the privacy story is stronger for encryption than for the AI layer itself.
  • Windows and Android apps have historically received updates later than the macOS and iOS versions.

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

Canary Mail

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unified inbox
    • Basic search
    • PGP support
  • Growth$36/year
    • AI Copilot and summaries
    • Send later
    • Inbox cleaner
  • Pro+$100/year
    • Advanced security features
    • Priority support
    • All Growth 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 Canary Mail if

  • You need ai copilot.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on macOS, Windows, iOS, Android.
  • You also want ai summaries.
Canary Mail 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 Canary Mail or Ulysses better?
Neither clearly leads. Canary Mail 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, Canary Mail or Ulysses?
Canary Mail has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Canary Mail and $5.99/month for Ulysses.
Does Canary Mail or Ulysses run on more platforms?
Canary Mail runs on macOS, Windows, iOS, Android. Ulysses runs on MacOS, IOS, IPadOS.
Can I use Canary Mail for free?
Yes. Canary Mail has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Ulysses starts at $5.99/month.
What is Canary Mail best used for?
Canary Mail is most often used for a privacy-conscious user who wants pgp encryption built into a mainstream-feeling client, someone who wants to avoid an open-ended subscription and prefers a lifetime purchase, a user who wants ai summaries without sending mail content through an unfamiliar third party indefinitely, someone consolidating several imap accounts into one client with unified search. Of those, a privacy-conscious user who wants pgp encryption built into a mainstream-feeling client and someone who wants to avoid an open-ended subscription and prefers a lifetime purchase are not what Ulysses is typically brought in for.
What can Canary Mail do that Ulysses cannot?
Canary Mail covers AI Copilot, AI Summaries, Smart Search, PGP encryption. Ulysses covers Distraction-free writing, Markdown support, Syntax highlighting, Organization with sheets and groups.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Canary Mail: Does Canary Mail host my email?

No, it is a client over Gmail, Outlook, iCloud or IMAP accounts you already have.

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
Canary Mail: Is the lifetime licence still available?

Canary has offered a one-time lifetime purchase alongside its subscriptions; check current pricing on their site as terms have changed over time.

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
Canary Mail: Does PGP encryption work automatically?

Only between users who both have PGP set up; it does not encrypt mail to recipients without it.

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
Share

Related pages

More on Canary Mail

More on Ulysses

Keep looking

Other head to heads