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Productivity · head to head

Nitro PDF vs Ulysses

Nitro PDF logo

Nitro PDF

Productivity

Edit, convert, secure, and sign PDF with annotation, OCR, and more

From
On request
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: Nitro PDF specific per-seat pricing is not published; must contact sales for individual plan pricing and volume discounts; Ulysses no free tier available
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Nitro PDF and Ulysses actually diverge.

Attributes where Nitro PDF and Ulysses differ
AttributeNitro PDFUlysses
Starting priceOn request$5.99/month
Pricing modelquotesubscription
PlatformsWebMacOS, IOS, IPadOS
FoundedUnknown2003

Identical on both: 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 Nitro PDF

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.

Nitro PDF

  • PDF creation, editing, annotation, and form filling for document workflowsnot Ulysses
  • E-signature workflows and document sending through Nitro Signnot Ulysses
  • Enterprise document management with compliance featuresnot Ulysses

Ulysses

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

Where each one falls short

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

Nitro PDF

  • Specific per-seat pricing is not published; must contact sales for individual plan pricing and volume discounts
  • SSO and enterprise features (Azure Information Protection) are limited to Plus tier, not available in Standard
  • Plans support up to 20 licenses online; teams needing 20+ users must contact sales

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

Nitro PDF

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Nitro PDF review.

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 Nitro PDF if

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

Nitro PDF 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 Nitro PDF or Ulysses better?
Neither clearly leads. Nitro PDF starts at On request and Ulysses at $5.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Nitro PDF or Ulysses?
Nitro PDF starts at On request and Ulysses at $5.99/month.
Does Nitro PDF or Ulysses run on more platforms?
Nitro PDF runs on Web. Ulysses runs on MacOS, IOS, IPadOS.
What is Nitro PDF best used for?
Nitro PDF is most often used for pdf creation, editing, annotation, and form filling for document workflows, e-signature workflows and document sending through nitro sign, enterprise document management with compliance features. Of those, pdf creation, editing, annotation, and form filling for document workflows and e-signature workflows and document sending through nitro sign are not what Ulysses is typically brought in for.
What can Nitro PDF do that Ulysses cannot?
Ulysses covers Distraction-free writing, Markdown support, Syntax highlighting, Organization with sheets and groups.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Nitro PDF: What are the main Nitro PDF plans and their pricing?

Nitro offers Standard and Plus tiers for PDF tools, plus Nitro Sign for e-signatures. Standard is an annual subscription with unlimited users and basic PDF features. Plus adds SSO, domain control, and Azure Information Protection. Specific pricing requires contacting Nitro sales. A 14-day free trial is available without a credit card.

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
Nitro PDF: What is the difference between Nitro PDF Standard and Plus?

Nitro PDF Standard includes core PDF creation, editing, annotation, OCR, AI tools, and team management. Plus adds enterprise security features including single sign-on (SSO), domain control, Azure Information Protection, Nitro Analytics, and a dedicated customer success manager for eligible customers.

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
Nitro PDF: Is there a perpetual license option for Nitro PDF?

Yes. Nitro PDF Classic is a one-time purchase for a 3-year license at a fixed price (not published online). It runs on Windows desktop only and includes core PDF tools. The Standard and Plus tiers are annual subscriptions.

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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