Is Scrivener better than Ulysses?

Scrivener ranks higher in our list of novel and long-form writing apps (#1 against #3, score 94.5 against 90.5). Scrivener is best for: long manuscripts that need research and structure. Ulysses is best for: Apple users who write daily and export to Word.

Which is cheaper, Scrivener or Ulysses?

Scrivener: One-time license per platform; 30-day free trial; iOS app sold separately. Ulysses: $39.99 a year or $5.99 a month in the US; free trial on all devices.

Do Scrivener and Ulysses run on the same platforms?

Scrivener supports macOS, Windows, iOS. Ulysses supports macOS, iOS, iPadOS.

Scrivener vs Ulysses: Which Is Better? (2026)

94.5
Editorial score
90.5
3
Platforms
3
No
Free to use
No
No
Open source
No

Which should you choose?

Choose Scrivener if you want

Long manuscripts that need research and structure.

Its corkboard, outliner, writing targets and compile tools cover the whole draft. Its panels take longer to learn than Ulysses, and print layout is less polished than Vellum's.

Choose Ulysses if you want

Apple users who write daily and export to Word.

A polished writing app with iCloud sync, goals and exports to PDF, Word and ebook. It runs only on Apple devices and costs a subscription, while Scrivener is a one-time purchase.

The main differences

Only Scrivener runs on Windows.
Scrivener is one-time purchase; Ulysses is subscription.

Side by side

	Scrivener	Ulysses
Score	94.5	90.5
Rank in list	#1 of 10	#3 of 10
Price	One-time purchaseOne-time license per platform; 30-day free trial; iOS app sold separately	Subscription$39.99 a year or $5.99 a month in the US; free trial on all devices
Free to use	No	No
Open source	No	No
Platforms	macOSWindowsiOSmacOS, Windows, iOS	macOSiOS, iPadOSmacOS, iOS, iPadOS
Made by	Literature & Latte	Ulysses GmbH & Co. KG
Planning tools	Corkboard and outliner	Projects with writing goals
Export formats	Word, PDF, Final Draft, plain text	PDF, Word, ebook, blog posts
Storage and sync	Local project files; Dropbox sync on iOS	iCloud sync across Apple devices
Best for	Long manuscripts that need research and structure	Apple users who write daily and export to Word
Strengths	Corkboard and outliner for restructuring sections Compiles drafts to Word, PDF and plain text One-time license with a 30-day free trial	Syncs across Mac, iPad and iPhone through iCloud Exports to PDF, Word and ebook formats Family Sharing for up to five other members
Limits	Many panels and settings take time to learn Print layout is less polished than book-design tools	Apple devices only, with no Windows or Android app Subscription only, with no one-time purchase listed
Links	Visit site	Visit site

Questions about Scrivener vs Ulysses

Is Scrivener better than Ulysses?: Scrivener ranks higher in our list of novel and long-form writing apps (#1 against #3, score 94.5 against 90.5). Scrivener is best for: long manuscripts that need research and structure. Ulysses is best for: Apple users who write daily and export to Word.
Which is cheaper, Scrivener or Ulysses?: Scrivener: One-time license per platform; 30-day free trial; iOS app sold separately. Ulysses: $39.99 a year or $5.99 a month in the US; free trial on all devices.
Do Scrivener and Ulysses run on the same platforms?: Scrivener supports macOS, Windows, iOS. Ulysses supports macOS, iOS, iPadOS.