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Software · head to head

Focus@Will vs Ulysses

Focus@Will logo

Focus@Will

Software

Music and sounds designed to enhance focus and productivity

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Ulysses logo

Ulysses

Software

Distraction-free writing application for creative professionals

From
$5.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Focus@Will has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Focus@Will the App Store listing (seller Dulcetta Inc) states the free trial is limited to 7 days, after which a paid subscription is required to continue using the music and features; Ulysses subscription only at $5.99 a month or $39.99 a year, with no one off purchase option
  • They diverge on capability: Focus@Will covers Curated focus music, Ulysses covers Distraction-free writing.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Focus@Will and Ulysses actually diverge.

Attributes where Focus@Will and Ulysses differ
AttributeFocus@WillUlysses
Starting priceFree$5.99/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, IOS, Android, MacOS, WindowsMacOS, IOS, IPadOS
Founded20112003

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 Focus@Will

  • Curated focus music
  • Multiple music channels
  • Built-in focus timer
  • Focus statistics
  • Different music genres
  • Offline access
  • Cross-platform sync
  • Volume control

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.

Focus@Will

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

Ulysses

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

Where each one falls short

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

Focus@Will

  • The App Store listing (seller Dulcetta Inc) states the free trial is limited to 7 days, after which a paid subscription is required to continue using the music and features
  • The same listing states a 30 day money-back guarantee applies to the subscription, implying no refund is available after that window

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

Focus@Will

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Limited access to music
    • Basic 25-min timer
    • Ads
  • Basic$4.95/month
    • Unlimited music access
    • Custom timers
    • No ads
  • Pro$9.95/month
    • Everything in Basic
    • Advanced analytics
    • Priority support

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 Focus@Will if

  • You need curated focus music.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, IOS, Android, MacOS, Windows.
  • You also want multiple music channels.
Focus@Will 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 Focus@Will or Ulysses better?
Neither clearly leads. Focus@Will 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, Focus@Will or Ulysses?
Focus@Will has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Focus@Will and $5.99/month for Ulysses.
Does Focus@Will or Ulysses run on more platforms?
Focus@Will runs on Web, IOS, Android, MacOS, Windows. Ulysses runs on MacOS, IOS, IPadOS.
Can I use Focus@Will for free?
Yes. Focus@Will has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Ulysses starts at $5.99/month.
What is Focus@Will best used for?
Focus@Will 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 Focus@Will do that Ulysses cannot?
Focus@Will covers Curated focus music, Multiple music channels, Built-in focus timer, Focus statistics. Ulysses covers Distraction-free writing, Markdown support, Syntax highlighting, Organization with sheets and groups.
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