Softwr

Productivity · head to head

Lazy vs Ulysses

Lazy logo

Lazy

Productivity

Simple task management that actually works

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 Lazy has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Lazy access restricted behind extended waitlist; Ulysses no free tier available
  • They diverge on capability: Lazy covers Today focus, Ulysses covers Distraction-free writing.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Lazy and Ulysses actually diverge.

Attributes where Lazy and Ulysses differ
AttributeLazyUlysses
Starting priceFree$5.99/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, iOSMacOS, IOS, IPadOS
Founded20192003

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 Lazy

  • Today focus
  • Simple task lists
  • Natural language input
  • Widgets
  • Keyboard shortcuts
  • Calendar
  • Shortcuts
  • Cloud deployment

Only in Ulysses

  • Distraction-free writing
  • Markdown support
  • Syntax highlighting
  • Organization with sheets and groups
  • Dark and light themes
  • Full-screen mode
  • Search and filter

Both cover

  • iCloud sync

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Lazy

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

Ulysses

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

Where each one falls short

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

Lazy

  • Access restricted behind extended waitlist
  • Mobile app read-only, limiting full-time mobile use
  • Slow product development cycle with limited feature updates
  • Customer support difficult to reach with poor ticketing system

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

Lazy

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited tasks
    • Today focus
    • Basic lists
  • Pro$4/month
    • Recurring tasks
    • Calendar sync
    • Themes

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 Lazy if

  • You need today focus.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS.
  • You also want simple task lists.
Lazy 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 Lazy or Ulysses better?
Neither clearly leads. Lazy 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, Lazy or Ulysses?
Lazy has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Lazy and $5.99/month for Ulysses.
Does Lazy or Ulysses run on more platforms?
Lazy runs on Web, iOS. Ulysses runs on MacOS, IOS, IPadOS.
Can I use Lazy for free?
Yes. Lazy has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Ulysses starts at $5.99/month.
What is Lazy best used for?
Lazy 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 Lazy do that Ulysses cannot?
Lazy covers Today focus, Simple task lists, Natural language input, Widgets. Ulysses covers Distraction-free writing, Markdown support, Syntax highlighting, Organization with sheets and groups. Both handle iCloud sync.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Lazy: What integrations does Lazy support?

Lazy integrates with Notion for direct content capture, includes GPT integration for AI-powered note analysis, and supports content clipping from articles, Twitter, videos, and other web sources.

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
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
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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