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Todoist vs Ulysses

Todoist logo

Todoist

All industries

The world's #1 task manager and to-do list app

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 Todoist has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Todoist no built-in time tracking for tasks; requires third-party integration like Toggl; Ulysses subscription only at $5.99 a month or $39.99 a year, with no one off purchase option
  • They diverge on capability: Todoist covers Natural language input, Ulysses covers Distraction-free writing.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Todoist and Ulysses actually diverge.

Attributes where Todoist and Ulysses differ
AttributeTodoistUlysses
Starting priceFree$5.99/month
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, macOS, WindowsMacOS, IOS, IPadOS
CategoryAll industriesProductivity
Founded20072003

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 Todoist

  • Natural language input
  • Recurring tasks
  • Projects and sub-tasks
  • Labels and filters
  • Priority levels
  • Productivity tracking
  • Templates
  • Notifications

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.

Todoist

  • Personal task managementnot Ulysses
  • Team project coordinationnot Ulysses
  • Goal trackingnot Ulysses
  • Habit buildingnot Ulysses
  • Daily planningnot Ulysses

Ulysses

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

Where each one falls short

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

Todoist

  • No built-in time tracking for tasks; requires third-party integration like Toggl
  • Free plan limited to 5 personal projects only
  • No Gantt charts, resource allocation, or advanced project management features for large enterprises
  • Phone support not available; email and help center only
  • Calendar view and advanced filtering only available on paid plans

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

Todoist

Free
  • BeginnerFree
    • 5 personal projects
    • Smart Quick Add
    • Task reminders
  • Pro$5/month
    • 300 personal projects
    • Calendar layout
    • Custom task reminders
  • Business$8/month
    • Everything in Pro
    • Shared team workspace
    • Up to 500 team projects

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 Todoist if

  • You need natural language input.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows.
  • You also want recurring tasks.
Todoist 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 Todoist or Ulysses better?
Neither clearly leads. Todoist 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, Todoist or Ulysses?
Todoist has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Todoist and $5.99/month for Ulysses.
Does Todoist or Ulysses run on more platforms?
Todoist runs on Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows. Ulysses runs on MacOS, IOS, IPadOS.
Can I use Todoist for free?
Yes. Todoist has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Ulysses starts at $5.99/month.
What is Todoist best used for?
Todoist is most often used for personal task management, team project coordination, goal tracking, habit building. Of those, personal task management and team project coordination are not what Ulysses is typically brought in for.
What can Todoist do that Ulysses cannot?
Todoist covers Natural language input, Recurring tasks, Projects and sub-tasks, Labels and filters. Ulysses covers Distraction-free writing, Markdown support, Syntax highlighting, Organization with sheets and groups.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Todoist: Does Todoist work offline?

Basic editing and task management work offline, but advanced features like syncing reminders and shared updates require internet connectivity.

Source
Todoist: Does Todoist have a free plan and what does it include?

Yes, Todoist offers a free Beginner plan with 5 personal projects, Smart Quick Add, task reminders, flexible layouts, 3 filter views, and 1 week activity history. More advanced features require the Pro or Business plans.

Source
Todoist: Can I use Todoist on mobile devices?

Yes, Todoist offers native apps for both iOS and Android with over 30 million downloads. Mobile apps provide full task management functionality across devices.

Source
Todoist: What integrations does Todoist support?

Todoist integrates with over 100 apps including Slack, Google Calendar, Outlook, Microsoft Teams, Gmail, and Toggl Track. Additional integrations are available through Zapier, Make, and IFTTT automation platforms.

Source
Todoist: How much does Todoist cost?

Free plan is $0. Pro plan costs $5/month (billed annually) or $7/month (monthly billing). Business plan costs $8/month per user (annual) or $10/month per user (monthly), as of December 2025.

Source
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