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Project Management · head to head

Craft Docs vs Ulysses

Craft Docs logo

Craft Docs

Project Management

Beautiful document and note-taking app for Apple devices

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 Craft Docs has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Craft Docs primarily designed for Apple ecosystem; limited support for Windows or Android; Ulysses no free tier available
  • They diverge on capability: Craft Docs covers Rich document editing, Ulysses covers Distraction-free writing.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Craft Docs and Ulysses actually diverge.

Attributes where Craft Docs and Ulysses differ
AttributeCraft DocsUlysses
Starting priceFree$5.99/month
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, iPadOS, macOS, WebMacOS, IOS, IPadOS
CategoryProject ManagementProductivity
Founded20192003

Identical on both: 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 Craft Docs

  • Rich document editing
  • Beautiful templates
  • Collaboration in real-time
  • Comments and discussions
  • Powerful search
  • File attachments

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.

Craft Docs

  • Productivitynot Ulysses
  • Collaborationnot Ulysses
  • Task managementnot Ulysses
  • Organizationnot Ulysses

Ulysses

  • Writing and editing on Apple devicesnot Craft Docs
  • Cross-device document synchronizationnot Craft Docs
  • Markdown-based writingnot Craft Docs

Where each one falls short

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

Craft Docs

  • Primarily designed for Apple ecosystem; limited support for Windows or Android
  • Smaller ecosystem and community compared to Notion or Obsidian
  • Collaboration features less mature than dedicated team document platforms
  • Requires learning Craft-specific formatting and structure

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

Craft Docs

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Craft Docs review.

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 Craft Docs if

  • You need rich document editing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, iPadOS, macOS, Web.
  • You also want beautiful templates.
Craft Docs 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 Craft Docs or Ulysses better?
Neither clearly leads. Craft Docs 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, Craft Docs or Ulysses?
Craft Docs has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Craft Docs and $5.99/month for Ulysses.
Does Craft Docs or Ulysses run on more platforms?
Craft Docs runs on iOS, iPadOS, macOS, Web. Ulysses runs on MacOS, IOS, IPadOS.
Can I use Craft Docs for free?
Yes. Craft Docs has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Ulysses starts at $5.99/month.
What is Craft Docs best used for?
Craft Docs is most often used for productivity, collaboration, task management, organization. Of those, productivity and collaboration are not what Ulysses is typically brought in for.
What can Craft Docs do that Ulysses cannot?
Craft Docs covers Rich document editing, Beautiful templates, Collaboration in real-time, Comments and discussions. Ulysses covers Distraction-free writing, Markdown support, Syntax highlighting, Organization with sheets and groups. Both handle iCloud sync, Dark and light themes.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Craft Docs: What platforms does Craft Docs support?

Craft Docs is available on iOS, iPad, and Mac, with deep integration into Apple's ecosystem. A web version is also available.

Source
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
Craft Docs: Can you collaborate on documents in Craft Docs?

Yes. Craft Docs supports real-time collaboration, allowing multiple users to edit documents simultaneously.

Source
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
Craft Docs: Does Craft Docs have AI features?

Yes. Craft Docs includes AI-powered writing assistance and editing features.

Source
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
Craft Docs: Can you use Craft Docs offline?

Yes. Craft Docs allows offline editing with synchronization when connectivity is restored.

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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