Softwr

Productivity · head to head

Memberstack vs Ulysses

Memberstack logo

Memberstack

Productivity

Add memberships and logins to any website

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 Memberstack has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Memberstack basic and Professional tiers include transaction fees of 4% and 2% respectively; Ulysses no free tier available
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Memberstack and Ulysses actually diverge.

Attributes where Memberstack and Ulysses differ
AttributeMemberstackUlysses
Starting priceFree$5.99/month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWebMacOS, IOS, IPadOS
FoundedUnknown2003

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), 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 Memberstack

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.

Memberstack

  • Launching course platforms without custom backendnot Ulysses
  • Building subscription services with Webflow and paymentnot Ulysses
  • Gating content without writing codenot Ulysses
  • Managing password resets and two-factor authenticationnot Ulysses
  • Processing Stripe billing automaticallynot Ulysses

Ulysses

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

Where each one falls short

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

Memberstack

  • Basic and Professional tiers include transaction fees of 4% and 2% respectively
  • Annual billing required for discounts; monthly pricing is higher
  • Webflow community builders receive Basic plan free but locked to that 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

Memberstack

Free
  • Basic$29/month
    • Up to 1,000 members
    • 4% transaction fee
    • $25/month with annual billing
  • Professional$49/month
    • Up to 5,000 members
    • 2% transaction fee
    • $39/month with annual billing
  • Business$99/month
    • 10,000+ members
    • 0.9% transaction fee
    • $79/month with annual billing
  • Established$499/month
    • 10,000+ members
    • Zero transaction fees
    • $399/month with annual billing

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 Memberstack if

  • You want to start without paying.
Memberstack 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 Memberstack or Ulysses better?
Neither clearly leads. Memberstack 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, Memberstack or Ulysses?
Memberstack has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Memberstack and $5.99/month for Ulysses.
Does Memberstack or Ulysses run on more platforms?
Memberstack runs on Web. Ulysses runs on MacOS, IOS, IPadOS.
Can I use Memberstack for free?
Yes. Memberstack has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Ulysses starts at $5.99/month.
What is Memberstack best used for?
Memberstack is most often used for launching course platforms without custom backend, building subscription services with webflow and payment, gating content without writing code, managing password resets and two-factor authentication. Of those, launching course platforms without custom backend and building subscription services with webflow and payment are not what Ulysses is typically brought in for.
What can Memberstack do that Ulysses cannot?
Ulysses covers Distraction-free writing, Markdown support, Syntax highlighting, Organization with sheets and groups.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Memberstack: What are Memberstack's transaction fees?

Memberstack's transaction fee varies by tier: Basic plan charges 4% per transaction, Professional charges 2%, Business charges 0.9%, and Established tier charges zero transaction fees.

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
Memberstack: Does Memberstack offer a free trial or testing mode?

Yes, Memberstack offers an unlimited free trial in test mode requiring no credit card. Users maintain full feature access at no cost until their site launches with real members.

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
Memberstack: What discounts does Memberstack offer?

Memberstack offers 50% discount for non-profits, special pricing for young professionals (4% fees), and $249/month with zero fees for startups under $1M raised. Webflow community builders receive the Basic plan free. 30-day money-back guarantee available with full refund.

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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