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Content Creation · head to head

Notion AI vs Ulysses

Notion AI logo

Notion AI

Content Creation

AI-powered productivity within Notion

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 Notion AI has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Notion AI full AI access including agents and meeting notes requires the Business plan at $20 per member per month, double the $10 Plus plan; Ulysses no free tier available
  • They diverge on capability: Notion AI covers Writing assistance, Ulysses covers Distraction-free writing.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Notion AI and Ulysses actually diverge.

Attributes where Notion AI and Ulysses differ
AttributeNotion AIUlysses
Starting priceFree$5.99/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Desktop, MobileMacOS, IOS, IPadOS
CategoryContent CreationProductivity
Founded20162003

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Notion AI

  • Writing assistance
  • Summarization
  • Translation
  • Q&A
  • Native Notion
  • Slack
  • Google Drive
  • Web support

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.

Notion AI

  • AI-powered document generation and database autofillnot Ulysses
  • Autonomous task automation with Notion Agentnot Ulysses
  • Meeting notes and enterprise search integrationnot Ulysses

Ulysses

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

Where each one falls short

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

Notion AI

  • Full AI access including agents and meeting notes requires the Business plan at $20 per member per month, double the $10 Plus plan
  • The Free and Plus plans offer trial AI capabilities rather than the full feature set
  • AI is not sold separately from the workspace seat, so every member must be upgraded to reach it
  • Zero data retention with LLM providers is Enterprise only, which is custom priced

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

Notion AI

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Trial AI capabilities like generating docs and autofilling databases
    • Basic forms and sites
    • Notion Calendar access
  • Business$null/month
    • Notion Agent for task automation
    • Custom Agents (free through May 3, 2026; then $10 per 1,000 credits)
    • AI Meeting Notes
  • Enterprise$null/custom
    • All Business features
    • Zero data retention with LLM providers
    • HIPAA compliance capabilities

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 Notion AI if

  • You need writing assistance.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Desktop, Mobile.
  • You also want summarization.
Notion AI 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 Notion AI or Ulysses better?
Neither clearly leads. Notion AI 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, Notion AI or Ulysses?
Notion AI has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Notion AI and $5.99/month for Ulysses.
Does Notion AI or Ulysses run on more platforms?
Notion AI runs on Web, Desktop, Mobile. Ulysses runs on MacOS, IOS, IPadOS.
Can I use Notion AI for free?
Yes. Notion AI has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Ulysses starts at $5.99/month.
What is Notion AI best used for?
Notion AI is most often used for ai-powered document generation and database autofill, autonomous task automation with notion agent, meeting notes and enterprise search integration. Of those, ai-powered document generation and database autofill and autonomous task automation with notion agent are not what Ulysses is typically brought in for.
What can Notion AI do that Ulysses cannot?
Notion AI covers Writing assistance, Summarization, Translation, Q&A. Ulysses covers Distraction-free writing, Markdown support, Syntax highlighting, Organization with sheets and groups.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Notion AI: Is Notion AI free?

Notion offers a free plan with trial AI capabilities for generating docs and autofilling databases. Full AI features like Notion Agent and Custom Agents require a Business plan.

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
Notion AI: What does Notion's Custom Agents cost?

Custom Agents are free to use through May 3, 2026. Starting May 4, 2026, Custom Agents will cost $10 per 1,000 monthly Notion credits. Admins can purchase Notion credits as add-ons.

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
Notion AI: What features does Notion's Business plan include?

Business plan includes Notion Agent for autonomous task automation, AI Meeting Notes, Enterprise Search across connected apps, SAML SSO, granular database permissions, private teamspaces, and premium app connections.

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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