Pick Obsidian if
individual writers who will stay on the $0 app while they open a first Bases table, then Sync at $4/user/month yearly ($5 monthly) when they want encrypted vaults on other devices.
Read the Obsidian pageObsidian vs Ulysses
Our take
Pick Obsidian if individual writers who will stay on the $0 app while they open a first Bases table, then Sync at $4/user/month yearly ($5 monthly) when they want encrypted vaults on other devices. Pick Ulysses if apple writers who will run the free trial while they file a first Hiker's Handbook sheet — then US$39.99/yr (or US$5.99/mo), not iA Writer Mac US$49.99 first unless they want a one-time Focus Mode page,
Best for
Obsidian A vault table you start at a public $
Ulysses A manuscript you start at a public $
Free plan
Obsidian $0 · no sign-up. No strings attached
Ulysses No free plan
Lowest paid
Obsidian Sync $4/user/mo yearly
Ulysses Monthly $5.99/mo
Next step up
Obsidian Publish $8/mo yearly
Ulysses Yearly $39.99
Watch out
Obsidian The $0 tile is the local app
Ulysses Subscription after the trial
Last checked
Obsidian 2026-10-23 · obsidian.md/pricing
Ulysses 2026-10-23 · ulysses.app/pricing
Which one, then?
Pick Ulysses if
apple writers who will run the free trial while they file a first Hiker's Handbook sheet — then US$39.99/yr (or US$5.99/mo), not iA Writer Mac US$49.99 first unless they want a one-time Focus Mode page, and not if they need Windows / a free-forever vault.
Read the Ulysses page