Ulysses is arguably the most beautiful writing app ever made. Clean, focused, and deeply integrated with Apple's ecosystem. Auctore takes that same philosophy — distraction-free writing, elegant design — and adds AI, world-building, Android support, and a path to publication.
✓ Free plan forever · No credit card · Works on Android & Windows
Ulysses is genuinely excellent. Here's what it does better than almost anyone else.
Best-in-class distraction-free writing experience — clean, minimal, focused
Gorgeous typography and themes — the most beautiful writing canvas on the market
Deep Apple ecosystem integration — iCloud, Shortcuts, iPad handwriting, Widgets
Markdown-based writing — portable, future-proof, format-agnostic
Goal tracking and writing streaks — great for building a consistent habit
Clean, minimal interface beloved by thousands of writers worldwide
Ulysses sets the bar for writing experience on Apple. Auctore keeps that bar — and removes the walls around it.
Ulysses is exclusively Apple. No Android app, no Windows app, no browser access. If you switch devices, leave Apple, or want to write from a library PC — you're locked out.
Ulysses costs $5.99/mo or $39.99/yr — forever. That's $72+ every year with no lifetime option, no free plan, and no trial after the initial period ends.
Ulysses is a beautiful blank page. There's no AI co-writer, no prose analysis, no beat extraction, no character voice tools. When you're stuck on chapter 12, you're on your own.
Ulysses has no character sheets, no world codex, no interactive maps. It's a general writing app — not designed for novels with 20 characters and 3 kingdoms.
No story wizard, no plot grid, no act structure view, no scene timeline. Ulysses helps you write beautifully — it doesn't help you structure your novel.
Ulysses exports PDF and some ePub, but has no KDP profiles, no 13-trim-size formatting, no cover designer, no beta reader portal. You'll still need other tools to actually publish.
Every feature, side by side. No marketing spin — just what each app actually does.
| Feature |
Auctore
|
Ulysses |
|---|---|---|
| Platform & Access | ||
| Works in browser — any deviceWrite from Mac, PC, tablet, phone | ||
| iOS app | ||
| iPad app | ||
| Mac app | ||
| Android app | ||
| Windows app | ||
| Real-time cloud sync | ||
| Free plan (no credit card) | ||
| Writing & Productivity | ||
| Distraction-free writing mode | ||
| Beautiful typography & themes | ||
| Dark mode | ||
| Writing streaks & daily goals | ||
| Markdown-based writing | ||
| iCloud Sync | Via web | |
| CollaborationMultiple writers, shared projects | ||
| AI Writing Tools | ||
| AI co-writer (context-aware)Knows your characters, world, and style | ||
| Story Wizard — guided novel builder | ||
| Beat Extractor & Chapter Health Score | ||
| Author DNA & Word Doctor | ||
| World-building & Characters | ||
| Character profiles & relationship maps | ||
| World Codex (lore, locations, rules) | ||
| Plot structure tools & story grid | ||
| Visual moodboards & scene images | ||
| Export & Publishing | ||
| Markdown export | ||
| PDF export | ||
| EPUB export | Basic | |
| DOCX export | Basic | |
| Advanced Compile (13 trim sizes, KDP profiles) | ||
| Cover Designer | ||
| Beta Reader portal | ||
| Text-to-speech narration52 studio-quality voices | ||
| Pricing | ||
| Free plan (no trial, genuinely free) | ||
| Paid monthly price | From $12/mo | $5.99/mo |
| Lifetime license option | $249 one-time | |
Ulysses and Auctore serve different writers with different needs. Here's the honest breakdown.
Ulysses is exquisite for writers deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem who prioritize beautiful design and distraction-free focus above all else.
Auctore is for novelists who want the same focus and elegance — plus AI assistance, novel-specific tools, Android/Windows support, and a complete path from idea to published book.
Your writing isn't locked in. Here's how to bring everything over.
Export your sheets as Markdown or DOCX from Ulysses. Everything comes with you — prose, notes, structure.
Sign up free in Auctore. The Story Wizard sets up your novel's structure — chapters, acts, and binder — in minutes.
Paste or import your chapters into the Auctore editor. The formatting comes through cleanly.
Add character profiles, a world codex, and plot structure. Everything in one place — AI tools ready when you need them.
If you write on Mac and iPhone only and want the most beautiful tool possible, Ulysses is exquisite. If you want that same elegance with AI, world-building, every device, and a free plan — Auctore is your app.
Start free. No credit card. Bring your Ulysses drafts and write with AI tools that know your story.
Free plan forever · No credit card · Works on Android & Windows