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Productivity · head to head

Gamma vs Ulysses

Gamma logo

Gamma

Productivity

AI-powered presentation and document creation software

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 Gamma has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Gamma free plan limited to 400 non-renewable credits, requiring paid plan quickly; Ulysses no free tier available
  • They diverge on capability: Gamma covers AI Slide Generation, Ulysses covers Distraction-free writing.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Gamma and Ulysses actually diverge.

Attributes where Gamma and Ulysses differ
AttributeGammaUlysses
Starting priceFree$5.99/month
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, 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 Gamma

  • AI Slide Generation
  • Advanced Image Models
  • Custom Branding
  • API Access
  • Custom Domains
  • Analytics
  • Studio Mode
  • AI Credits

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.

Gamma

  • Rapid pitch deck creation for investor meetings and salesnot Ulysses
  • Generating report decks from company data and metricsnot Ulysses
  • Creating training and onboarding presentations automaticallynot Ulysses
  • Building product demos and case study presentationsnot Ulysses
  • Team collaboration on branded presentations with shared assetsnot Ulysses

Ulysses

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

Where each one falls short

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

Gamma

  • Free plan limited to 400 non-renewable credits, requiring paid plan quickly
  • Credit rollover capped at 2x monthly allocation, forcing month-to-month spending
  • Refund window limited to 3 days with usage thresholds restricting claims
  • Per-seat pricing on team plans increases costs for large organizations
  • Studio Mode limited to Ultra plan, restricting advanced editing to highest tier

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

Gamma

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 400 AI credits (one-time, non-renewable)
    • Up to 10 cards per prompt
    • Basic AI
  • Plus$12/month
    • 1,000 AI credits per month
    • Up to 20 cards per prompt
    • Badge removal on exports
  • Pro$25/month
    • 4,000 AI credits per month
    • Up to 50 cards per prompt
    • Premium AI models
  • Ultra$100/month
    • 20,000 AI credits per month
    • Up to 75 cards per prompt
    • Most advanced AI models

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 Gamma if

  • You need ai slide generation.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want advanced image models.
Gamma 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 Gamma or Ulysses better?
Neither clearly leads. Gamma 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, Gamma or Ulysses?
Gamma has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Gamma and $5.99/month for Ulysses.
Does Gamma or Ulysses run on more platforms?
Gamma runs on Web, iOS, Android. Ulysses runs on MacOS, IOS, IPadOS.
Can I use Gamma for free?
Yes. Gamma has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Ulysses starts at $5.99/month.
What is Gamma best used for?
Gamma is most often used for rapid pitch deck creation for investor meetings and sales, generating report decks from company data and metrics, creating training and onboarding presentations automatically, building product demos and case study presentations. Of those, rapid pitch deck creation for investor meetings and sales and generating report decks from company data and metrics are not what Ulysses is typically brought in for.
What can Gamma do that Ulysses cannot?
Gamma covers AI Slide Generation, Advanced Image Models, Custom Branding, API Access. Ulysses covers Distraction-free writing, Markdown support, Syntax highlighting, Organization with sheets and groups.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Gamma: How do Gamma AI credits work?

Each plan includes a monthly AI credit allowance. Free users receive 400 one-time credits. Plus plan includes 1,000 monthly credits, Pro includes 4,000 monthly credits, and Ultra includes 20,000 monthly credits. Unused credits roll over up to 2x the monthly allowance.

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
Gamma: What is included in the Free plan?

The Free plan includes 400 AI credits (one-time), up to 10 cards per prompt, basic AI, Gamma branding on output, and 7-day change history.

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
Gamma: What payment and refund options does Gamma offer?

Gamma offers a 3-day refund window for monthly plans if you have used less than 10-20 percent of your monthly credits depending on the plan.

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
Gamma: How much do Team and Business plans cost?

Team plans cost $20 per seat per month with a minimum of 2 seats, including 6,000 AI credits per seat. Business plans cost $40 per seat per month with a minimum of 10 seats, including 10,000 AI credits per seat.

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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