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TickTick vs Ulysses

TickTick logo

TickTick

All industries

Stay organized, stay creative

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 TickTick has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: TickTick recurring task options are limited compared to dedicated project management tools; Ulysses subscription only at $5.99 a month or $39.99 a year, with no one off purchase option
  • They diverge on capability: TickTick covers Task management, Ulysses covers Distraction-free writing.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which TickTick and Ulysses actually diverge.

Attributes where TickTick and Ulysses differ
AttributeTickTickUlysses
Starting priceFree$5.99/month
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Mac, iOS, iPad, Android, Apple Watch, WindowsMacOS, IOS, IPadOS
CategoryAll industriesProductivity
Founded20132003

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 TickTick

  • Task management
  • Calendar integration
  • Pomodoro timer
  • Habit tracking
  • Natural language input
  • Collaboration
  • Voice input
  • Location reminders

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.

TickTick

  • Personal task managementnot Ulysses
  • Team collaborationnot Ulysses
  • Project planningnot Ulysses
  • Habit trackingnot Ulysses
  • Time managementnot Ulysses

Ulysses

  • Long form writing and drafting across Mac, iPad and iPhonenot TickTick
  • Managing a library of drafts with markdown and export to publishing formatsnot TickTick

Where each one falls short

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

TickTick

  • Recurring task options are limited compared to dedicated project management tools
  • Reporting and analytics are minimal, providing little productivity trend visibility
  • Calendar sync can be slow and unreliable, sometimes causing sync issues across devices
  • API capabilities are basic, limiting direct integrations beyond Zapier and IFTTT
  • Habit tracking becomes less useful once routines are well-established

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

TickTick

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Up to 9 lists
    • Up to 99 tasks per list
    • Basic reminders
  • Premium$35.99/year
    • Up to 299 lists
    • Up to 999 tasks per list
    • Advanced collaboration for up to 30 members

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 TickTick if

  • You need task management.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mac, iOS, iPad, Android, Apple Watch, Windows.
  • You also want calendar integration.
TickTick 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 TickTick or Ulysses better?
Neither clearly leads. TickTick 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, TickTick or Ulysses?
TickTick has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for TickTick and $5.99/month for Ulysses.
Does TickTick or Ulysses run on more platforms?
TickTick runs on Web, Mac, iOS, iPad, Android, Apple Watch, Windows. Ulysses runs on MacOS, IOS, IPadOS.
Can I use TickTick for free?
Yes. TickTick has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Ulysses starts at $5.99/month.
What is TickTick best used for?
TickTick is most often used for personal task management, team collaboration, project planning, habit tracking. Of those, personal task management and team collaboration are not what Ulysses is typically brought in for.
What can TickTick do that Ulysses cannot?
TickTick covers Task management, Calendar integration, Pomodoro timer, Habit tracking. Ulysses covers Distraction-free writing, Markdown support, Syntax highlighting, Organization with sheets and groups.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

TickTick: What is TickTick?

TickTick is a cross-platform task management and productivity app that combines to-do lists, calendar views, habit tracking, reminders, and a Pomodoro timer. It helps users organize personal and work tasks across 10+ platforms including Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android, and web.

Source
TickTick: What are TickTick's pricing options?

TickTick offers a permanent free plan and a premium plan at $35.99/year (listed price $49.99, currently discounted). The free plan includes up to 9 lists and basic features, while premium unlocks up to 299 lists, advanced collaboration for up to 30 members, and calendar subscriptions.

Source
TickTick: Does TickTick have team features?

TickTick does not offer a dedicated team or family plan. Each user needs their own premium subscription. Premium users can share lists with up to 30 members for collaboration.

Source
TickTick: What integrations does TickTick support?

TickTick supports integrations with 2,000+ apps through third-party platforms like Zapier, Make, n8n, and Integrately. It also supports calendar subscriptions with Google Calendar and Outlook, and has a basic OAuth API for developers.

Source
TickTick: Is TickTick available offline?

TickTick requires an internet connection for syncing across devices. Offline functionality depends on the platform, with some mobile apps offering limited offline access but requiring connectivity for full features.

Source
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