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Productivity · head to head

Foxit PDF Editor vs Ulysses

Foxit PDF Editor logo

Foxit PDF Editor

Productivity

The #1 Alternative to Adobe Acrobat

From
$10.99/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: Foxit PDF Editor the $209.99 perpetual licence excludes the AI Assistant, Smart Redact, the Document Management System and all cloud features; Ulysses no free tier available
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Foxit PDF Editor and Ulysses actually diverge.

Attributes where Foxit PDF Editor and Ulysses differ
AttributeFoxit PDF EditorUlysses
Starting price$10.99/month$5.99/month
PlatformsWebMacOS, IOS, IPadOS
FoundedUnknown2003

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 Foxit PDF Editor

Nothing recorded that Ulysses does not also cover.

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.

Foxit PDF Editor

  • Creating, editing and signing PDF documents on Windows, macOS or the webnot Ulysses
  • Buying a perpetual PDF editor licence instead of a subscriptionnot Ulysses
  • Sending documents for signature with eSign, at 150 envelopes a year on PDF Editor+not Ulysses

Ulysses

  • Writing and editing on Apple devicesnot Foxit PDF Editor
  • Cross-device document synchronizationnot Foxit PDF Editor
  • Markdown-based writingnot Foxit PDF Editor

Where each one falls short

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

Foxit PDF Editor

  • The $209.99 perpetual licence excludes the AI Assistant, Smart Redact, the Document Management System and all cloud features
  • Mobile apps for iOS and Android start on PDF Editor+ at $159.99 a year, not on the entry subscription
  • The AI Assistant is capped at 20 free credits per month on the entry plan

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

Foxit PDF Editor

$10.99/month
  • PDF Editor$10.99/month
    • $131.88 per year paid in full
    • Document Management System
    • AI Assistant with 20 free credits per month
  • PDF Editor+$159.99/year
    • Everything in PDF Editor
    • iOS and Android apps
    • AI Smart Redact
  • Foxit PDF Editor 14 perpetual$209.99/one-time
    • One time purchase, no subscription
    • Editing, conversion, OCR, forms and security
    • Excludes AI Assistant, Smart Redact, DMS and cloud 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 Foxit PDF Editor if

Nothing in the data separates Foxit PDF Editor from Ulysses on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Foxit PDF Editor 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 Foxit PDF Editor or Ulysses better?
Neither clearly leads. Foxit PDF Editor starts at $10.99/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, Foxit PDF Editor or Ulysses?
Foxit PDF Editor starts at $10.99/month and Ulysses at $5.99/month.
Does Foxit PDF Editor or Ulysses run on more platforms?
Foxit PDF Editor runs on Web. Ulysses runs on MacOS, IOS, IPadOS.
What is Foxit PDF Editor best used for?
Foxit PDF Editor is most often used for creating, editing and signing pdf documents on windows, macos or the web, buying a perpetual pdf editor licence instead of a subscription, sending documents for signature with esign, at 150 envelopes a year on pdf editor+. Of those, creating, editing and signing pdf documents on windows, macos or the web and buying a perpetual pdf editor licence instead of a subscription are not what Ulysses is typically brought in for.
What can Foxit PDF Editor do that Ulysses cannot?
Ulysses covers Distraction-free writing, Markdown support, Syntax highlighting, Organization with sheets and groups.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Foxit PDF Editor: How much does Foxit PDF Editor cost?

Foxit PDF Editor starts at $10.99 per month, or $131.88 per year paid in full. PDF Editor+ is $159.99 per year. A perpetual licence for Foxit PDF Editor 14 is a one time $209.99.

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
Foxit PDF Editor: Can I buy Foxit PDF Editor without a subscription?

Yes. Foxit PDF Editor 14 is sold as a one time perpetual licence at $209.99. It covers editing, conversion, OCR, forms and security, but excludes the AI Assistant, Smart Redact, the Document Management System and cloud features.

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
Foxit PDF Editor: Is there a free trial of Foxit PDF Editor?

Yes. Foxit offers a 14 day trial of PDF Editor+ with no credit card required.

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
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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