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Productivity · head to head

Ulysses vs Xmind

Ulysses logo

Ulysses

Productivity

Distraction-free writing application for creative professionals

From
$5.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Xmind logo

Xmind

Productivity

For anyone to explore classic and essential mind mapping features to organize their ideas easily

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Xmind has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Ulysses no free tier available; Xmind free plan limited to 10 maps
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Ulysses and Xmind actually diverge.

Attributes where Ulysses and Xmind differ
AttributeUlyssesXmind
Starting price$5.99/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsMacOS, IOS, IPadOSWeb
Founded2003Unknown

Identical on both: 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 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

Only in Xmind

Nothing recorded that Ulysses does not also cover.

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Ulysses

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

Xmind

  • Team mind mapping and brainstormingnot Ulysses
  • Project management with Gantt chartsnot Ulysses
  • Real-time collaborative planningnot Ulysses

Where each one falls short

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

Ulysses

  • No free tier available
  • Only subscription model, no one-time purchase option
  • Family Sharing limited to 5 additional members (6 total users)

Xmind

  • Free plan limited to 10 maps
  • 7-day free trial only available for annual Premium subscriptions, not monthly
  • Pro plan limits collaboration to 50 maps

Pricing, plan by plan

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

Xmind

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Up to 10 online maps
    • Basic themes and stickers
    • 3-day version history
  • Pro$4.92/month
    • Up to 50 online maps with basic collaboration
    • Links, numbering, and attachments
    • Custom themes
  • Premium$8.25/month
    • Unlimited collaborative maps
    • Real-time collaboration
    • 30-day version history

Which should you pick?

Choose Ulysses if

  • You need distraction-free writing.
  • You work on MacOS, IOS, IPadOS.
  • You also want markdown support.
Ulysses review

Choose Xmind if

  • You want to start without paying.
Xmind review

Questions people ask

Is Ulysses or Xmind better?
Neither clearly leads. Ulysses starts at $5.99/month and Xmind at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Ulysses or Xmind?
Xmind has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $5.99/month for Ulysses and Free for Xmind.
Does Ulysses or Xmind run on more platforms?
Ulysses runs on MacOS, IOS, IPadOS. Xmind runs on Web.
Can I use Xmind for free?
Yes. Xmind has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Ulysses starts at $5.99/month.
What is Ulysses best used for?
Ulysses is most often used for writing and editing on apple devices, cross-device document synchronization, markdown-based writing. Of those, writing and editing on apple devices and cross-device document synchronization are not what Xmind is typically brought in for.
What can Ulysses do that Xmind cannot?
Ulysses covers Distraction-free writing, Markdown support, Syntax highlighting, Organization with sheets and groups.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
Xmind: Can I use XMind free?

Yes, free plan includes up to 10 online maps, basic themes, 3-day version history, map publishing, and 50 AI credits.

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
Xmind: How much is the Premium plan monthly?

Premium plan is $8.25 per month with unlimited collaborative maps and 500 monthly AI credits.

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
Xmind: Does yearly billing save money?

Yes, yearly billing offers up to 50% off compared to monthly pricing on all paid plans.

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
Xmind: How many devices can one subscription cover?

One subscription covers up to 5 Mac/PC devices and 5 mobile devices simultaneously.

Source
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