Comparison · Novel and long-form writing apps
Ulysses vs Vellum: which is better in 2026?
Ulysses90.5#3 in best novel and long-form writing apps
Vellum87.5#6 in best novel and long-form writing appsUlysses ranks higher in our list of novel and long-form writing apps (#3 against #6, score 90.5 against 87.5).
- 90.5Editorial score87.5
- 3Platforms1
- NoFree to useNo
- NoOpen sourceNo
Which should you choose?
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.
Choose Vellum if you want
Mac authors who want polished ebook and print files.
Strong ebook and print output, but it runs only on Mac and it starts from a finished manuscript. Atticus covers the same formatting job on Windows and Linux as well.
The main differences
- Only Ulysses runs on iOS.
- Ulysses is subscription; Vellum is paid.
Side by side
| Ulysses | Vellum | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 90.5 | 87.5 |
| Rank in list | #3 of 10 | #6 of 10 |
| Price | Subscription$39.99 a year or $5.99 a month in the US; free trial on all devices | PaidPaid Mac license; ebook-only and ebook plus print tiers |
| Free to use | No | No |
| Open source | No | No |
| Platforms | macOSiOS, iPadOSmacOS, iOS, iPadOS | macOSmacOS |
| Made by | Ulysses GmbH & Co. KG | Not stated |
| Planning tools | Projects with writing goals | Imports a finished manuscript |
| Export formats | PDF, Word, ebook, blog posts | EPUB 2 and 3, print PDF/X-1a |
| Storage and sync | iCloud sync across Apple devices | Local Mac app |
| Best for | Apple users who write daily and export to Word | Mac authors who want polished ebook and print files |
| Strengths |
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| Limits |
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| Links | Visit site | Visit site |
Questions about Ulysses vs Vellum
- Is Ulysses better than Vellum?
- Ulysses ranks higher in our list of novel and long-form writing apps (#3 against #6, score 90.5 against 87.5). Ulysses is best for: Apple users who write daily and export to Word. Vellum is best for: Mac authors who want polished ebook and print files.
- Which is cheaper, Ulysses or Vellum?
- Ulysses: $39.99 a year or $5.99 a month in the US; free trial on all devices. Vellum: Paid Mac license; ebook-only and ebook plus print tiers.
- Do Ulysses and Vellum run on the same platforms?
- Ulysses supports macOS, iOS, iPadOS. Vellum supports macOS.
Choosing between the two
Learning Center
1:17How to decide between two good optionsSettle a close call by sorting it by how hard it is to undo, setting a deadline, scoring the criteria as a tie-breaker and writing down why you chose.
1:20How to compare products fairly: what to keep in mindDefine the job, cap the must-haves, compare like with like, count total cost over one period and weigh the criteria. Includes a worked example.
