Nisus Writer vs Ulysses (2026): which should you pick?

Pick Nisus Writer if

• Fits if you write long documents on a Mac and need regex search
• Works for people who'd rather buy once than subscribe

Look elsewhere if

• Not for you if you're not on a Mac, as there's no Windows, phone or web version
• Tight if you want the full set, because Pro is $65 and Express is cut down
• Watch out: the pages list macOS 10.13 through Sonoma, so check newer releases
• Skip it if you want a cloud workspace, since the store lists none

Pick Ulysses if

• Fits if you write only on Apple devices and want every text on all of them
• Works for bloggers who post straight to WordPress, Ghost or Micro.blog

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you ever write on Windows, Android or the web, as it's Apple only
• Not for you if you'd rather pay once, since the pricing page lists subscriptions only
• Not for you if you want a free version to stay on, because after a trial of unstated length you pay
• Watch out: volume licenses are priced in euros, at €39.00 a user a year, and cover one Mac, one iPad and one iPhone each
• Watch out: formatting is typed in Markdown XL, Ulysses' own markup, which takes some learning

Nisus Writer

• Mac only: there is no Windows, iPhone, iPad or web version.
• The two editions are priced separately, and the comparison between them is only on each edition's own page.
• The vendor's pages list compatibility with macOS 10.13 through Sonoma, so check it against newer macOS releases.
• Sold directly with a 30-day refund guarantee, but the store lists no subscription or cloud workspace.

Ulysses

• The site and App Store listing cover Mac, iPad and iPhone only; no Windows, Android or web version is offered.
• The pricing page lists subscriptions only: $5.99 a month or $39.99 a year once the trial ends.
• The trial is described as fully functional, but the site does not say how many days it runs.
• Volume licenses are priced in euros and cover one Mac, one iPad and one iPhone per user.

Nisus Writer

Style sheets

Paragraph and character styles keep formatting consistent across long documents.

Regular-expression find and replace

A search tool with regular-expression support for cleaning up and restructuring text.

Multilingual text

Written to handle text in nearly any language, which the vendor puts forward as a main strength.

Word and PDF compatibility

Opens and saves Word (.doc, .docx) files, RTF and others, and exports PDF with table of contents, links and annotations.

Comments and tracked changes

Threaded comments and tracked changes are described on the Pro edition's page.

Distraction-free modes

Full-screen, focus and typewriter modes are listed for Express; Pro lists a full-screen mode.

Ulysses

Markup-based editor

Text is formatted by typing markup in Markdown XL, Ulysses' own markup language, so headings, lists and emphasis never require leaving the keyboard.

Unified library

Everything is stored in one library and organized into projects, so scenes and chapters can be split into chunks and reordered.

Sync across Apple devices

Texts sync automatically between Mac, iPad and iPhone, and the vendor describes feature parity across macOS and iOS.

Grammar and style check

A built-in proofreader for more than 20 languages suggests fixes for capitalization, punctuation, semantics, redundancy and style.

Export and publishing

Exports PDFs, Word documents, ebooks and HTML with switchable styles, and posts directly to WordPress, Ghost and Micro.blog with images and tags.

Writing goals

Set a character limit, a deadline or a daily goal for a text and track progress against it.

Nisus Writer

• Nisus Writer Express$26

  one-time

  The lighter edition: full-screen, focus and typewriter modes, style sheets, regex find and replace.

• Nisus Writer Pro$65

  one-time

  The full edition, adding features such as threaded comments and tracked changes.

Ulysses

• Yearly Plan$39.99

  per year

  Ulysses on all your Macs, iPads and iPhones with full sync. Apple Family Sharing with up to five other family members is included.

• Monthly Plan$5.99

  per month

  The same app and sync on every Mac, iPad and iPhone, paid month to month.

• Volume licensing€39.00

  per user / year, plus VAT if applicable

  Licenses for businesses and organizations, bought outside the App Store. Covers one Mac, one iPad and one iPhone per user.

Nisus Writer

No public discounts listed.

Ulysses

• Annual discount

  Yearly plan costs about 44% less than monthly

  The yearly subscription is $39.99, against $71.88 for twelve payments on the $5.99 monthly plan.

• Education

  Student offer: $10.99 per 6 months

  Students enrolled at a high school, vocational school, college or university can apply from inside the app with a valid student ID.

• Other savings

  Apple Family Sharing included

  One subscription can be shared with up to five other family members through Apple Family Sharing.

• Lifetime license

  Perpetual License listed in the App Store

  The US App Store listing shows a Perpetual License in-app purchase at $199.99 alongside the subscriptions. The pricing page does not describe its terms.