Review: Ulysses App for Longform Writers — A Deep Dive

Ulysses is often recommended to longform writers who value a distraction-free environment, markdown-first workflow, and smooth export options. This review examines whether Ulysses stands up to everyday longform needs: organization, writing flow, revision tools, and export fidelity. We tested Ulysses across macOS and iOS with a set of typical longform tasks: drafting a 6,000-word essay, exporting for magazine submission, and collaborating through revision passes.

Onboarding and interface. Ulysses opens to a clean, minimal interface with a left sidebar for libraries and groups, and a central editor that frees the page of unnecessary UI chrome. The learning curve is gentle: basic markdown can be learned in a few sessions, and Ulysses’ built-in styles and filters make organizing drafts intuitive. The app encourages atomic writing by default: short sheets can be combined into longer texts with a single export command.

Writing experience. Typing in Ulysses is fluid. The editor supports inline markdown with a non-intrusive preview and a live word count. For distraction-sensitive writers, the full-screen mode is excellent. On iPad, Ulysses’ split-view and keyboard shortcuts make it competitive with native apps. We found no lag across documents and appreciated the app’s handling of long sheets without performance issues.

“Ulysses rewards discipline: its minimalist canvas keeps the focus on the sentence by removing the temptation to format while drafting.”

Organization and search. The library-based system is flexible. You can group sheets into projects and tag them for later retrieval. The search is fast and supports filters by tag, date, and text. For writers working on interconnected projects, Ulysses’ ability to collect and organize fragments is powerful. The app also supports external folders on macOS for integration with other tools.

Revision and split editing. Ulysses facilitates revision through built-in goals, versions, and revision notes. The app encourages a composition workflow where you first write freely and then return with a checklist. However, side-by-side compare is not as robust as traditional word processors. If you need heavy tracked changes for collaboration, Ulysses is not a replacement for a collaborative cloud editor, but it complements those tools well for solo drafts and iterative polishing.

Export options. Ulysses shines in export formats. It provides templates for ePub, PDF, DOCX, and plain text. Export fidelity is high, and you can tweak style sheets within the app. For submitting to magazines and literary outlets, DOCX exports are clean and preserve basic formatting. For self-publishing, the ePub exports are less fiddly than many competitors. The app’s publishing feature integrates with WordPress and Medium natively, which is useful for writers who maintain blogs.

Synchronization and backups. Ulysses syncs via iCloud, which made moving between Mac and iPad seamless in our tests. The app also offers automatic backups. If you prefer non-iCloud workflows, exporting to external folders is possible but requires manual steps on the Mac. Overall, sync is reliable and unobtrusive.

Limitations. Ulysses is proprietary and subscription-based, which may be a barrier for some writers. Its markdown variant is simple but requires learning the app’s specifics. For intensive collaborative editing with multiple authors and tracked changes, Ulysses cannot replace Google Docs or Microsoft Word. Additionally, power users who require advanced style guides or nested comment threads will find those features absent.

Price and value. The app operates on a subscription model with a monthly or annual fee. For active longform writers who value the focused environment, high-quality exports, and cross-device sync, the subscription can be justified. Casual users or those who prefer one-time purchases may hesitate, though Ulysses offers a free trial that helps gauge fit.

Who should use Ulysses? Choose Ulysses if you are a solitary longform writer who wants an elegant, consistent markdown-first writing space with excellent export tools. If you collaborate heavily with tracked changes or work with editors who require Word comments, consider coupling Ulysses with a collaborative tool for the revision phase.

Overall verdict: Ulysses is an excellent choice for focused composition and neat exports. It encourages clean drafting habits and reduces friction across devices. For writers who prioritize a calm canvas and seamless publishing paths, the subscription is a reasonable investment. For collaborative-heavy projects, combine Ulysses with a cloud editor for the final passes.