Software · head to head
Structured vs Ulysses

Ulysses
Software
Distraction-free writing application for creative professionals
- From
- $5.99/month
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Structured has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Structured no monthly view available, only daily and weekly views, limiting ability to preview long-term schedules; Ulysses subscription only at $5.99 a month or $39.99 a year, with no one off purchase option
- They diverge on capability: Structured covers Visual timeline, Ulysses covers Distraction-free writing.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Structured and Ulysses actually diverge.
| Attribute | Structured | Ulysses |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $5.99/month |
| Pricing model | Unknown | subscription |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | iOS, iPadOS, macOS, Android, Web, Apple Watch | MacOS, IOS, IPadOS |
| Founded | 2020 | 2003 |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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 Structured
- Visual timeline
- Time blocking
- Calendar integration
- Widgets
- Recurring tasks
- Apple Calendar
- Google Calendar
- Apple Reminders
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.
Structured
- Productivitynot Ulysses
- Collaborationnot Ulysses
- Task managementnot Ulysses
- Organizationnot Ulysses
Ulysses
- Long form writing and drafting across Mac, iPad and iPhonenot Structured
- Managing a library of drafts with markdown and export to publishing formatsnot Structured
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Structured
- No monthly view available, only daily and weekly views, limiting ability to preview long-term schedules
- Cannot export to Excel, PDF, or other printable formats; only JSON export available on Apple devices
- Calendar import requires Pro subscription (except on web where free import is available)
- Android and web versions significantly lag behind iOS version in features and performance
- One-way calendar sync only; cannot export Structured tasks back to Google Calendar or other external calendar apps
Ulysses
- Subscription only at $5.99 a month or $39.99 a year, with no one off purchase option
- The apps stop being usable as a writing tool when the subscription lapses, since there is no perpetual licence to fall back on
- The student discount is mentioned without a figure on the pricing page
Pricing, plan by plan
Structured
Free- FreeFree
- Timeline tasks and all-day tasks
- Task subtasks and notes
- Icons and color coding
- Pro$null/month or year or lifetime
- Structured AI for smart planning
- Calendar and reminders import
- Recurring tasks
Ulysses
$5.99/month- Monthly$5.99/month
- All features
- iCloud sync
- Cross-platform access
- Annual$49.99/year
- All features
- iCloud sync
- Cross-platform access
Which should you pick?
Choose Structured if
- You need visual timeline.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on iOS, iPadOS, macOS, Android, Web, Apple Watch.
- You also want time blocking.
Choose Ulysses if
- You need distraction-free writing.
- You work on MacOS, IOS, IPadOS.
- You also want markdown support.
Questions people ask
- Is Structured or Ulysses better?
- Neither clearly leads. Structured 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, Structured or Ulysses?
- Structured has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Structured and $5.99/month for Ulysses.
- Does Structured or Ulysses run on more platforms?
- Structured runs on iOS, iPadOS, macOS, Android, Web, Apple Watch. Ulysses runs on MacOS, IOS, IPadOS.
- Can I use Structured for free?
- Yes. Structured has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Ulysses starts at $5.99/month.
- What is Structured best used for?
- Structured 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 Structured do that Ulysses cannot?
- Structured covers Visual timeline, Time blocking, Calendar integration, 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
Structured: Is Structured free to use?
Yes, Structured has a free tier that includes timeline tasks, all-day tasks, inbox tasks, subtasks, notes, icons, color coding, drag and drop, and calendar import on web (though calendar import requires Pro on iOS/Android). The app is free to download on iOS, Android, Mac, and web.
SourceStructured: What does Structured Pro cost and what features does it add?
Structured Pro is available as a monthly or yearly subscription, or as a one-time lifetime purchase for $99.99 USD. Pro adds Structured AI, calendar import and reminders import (on iOS/Android), recurring tasks, replan functionality, custom notifications, and custom color palettes.
SourceStructured: Can I import my Google Calendar into Structured?
Yes, Structured supports importing calendars from Google Calendar, Outlook, Microsoft Exchange, Yahoo, and AOL. On iOS, it connects through Apple Calendar compatibility. On Android and web, you authenticate with your Google account and select which calendars to sync. This feature requires a Structured Pro subscription.
SourceStructured: Can I export my tasks from Structured and in what formats?
On Apple devices, you can export your data as a JSON file through Settings > About > Privacy & Permissions > Export Your Data. However, you cannot export tasks to external calendars, nor can you export to printable formats like Excel or PDF. Export is one-way only.
SourceStructured: Does Structured work across all my devices?
Yes, Structured syncs across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Android devices. However, users have reported that iCloud synchronization can be unreliable, and the Android and web versions have fewer features and slower performance compared to the iOS version.
SourceStructured: What calendar and reminder apps does Structured integrate with?
On iOS, Structured can import from Apple Calendar, Reminders, Google Calendar, Outlook, Microsoft Exchange, Yahoo, and AOL. On Android and web, it supports Google Calendar. Structured can import events and reminders, but cannot export tasks back to external calendars.
SourceRelated pages
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