# TextEdit vs Ulysses

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Ulysses at 67% against TextEdit's 18%. Ulysses also leads on rating (4.6 vs 3.7) and ratings volume (2.1K vs 376). TextEdit's advantage is monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. TextEdit sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Ulysses sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Ulysses holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Ulysses has 2.1K ratings behind it against 376, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 18% of TextEdit's written reviews are positive against 67% of Ulysses's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | TextEdit | Ulysses |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.7 (376 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/textedit-text-editor/id1070883678/reviews) | **[4.6 (2.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ulysses-writing-app/id1225570693/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 376 | **2.1K** |
| Positive reviews | 18.1% of reviews | **67.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Size | 480 MB | 274 MB |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | 26.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, Mac** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Kairoos Solutions SL](https://appshunter.io/developer/978066434) | [Ulysses GmbH & Co. KG](https://appshunter.io/developer/385113765) |

## What reviewers say

### TextEdit

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/textedit-text-editor/id1070883678)

A fast and versatile text editor for mobile devices, offering compatibility with various file formats and editors. It provides a distraction-free writing experience with advanced formatting, organization, and sharing features.

**Highlights:** Supports TXT, RTF, Markdown, TeX, and PDF formats, Cross-device and computer syncing via iCloud/Files, Distraction-free writing interface, Customizable keyboard extension for faster typing, Visual rich text formatting and one-tap options, Syntax highlighting for Markdown and TeX, Instant statistics and counters

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| TextEdit+ Unlock AI Assistant | $4.99 | per month |
| TextEdit+ Unlock AI Assistant | $29.99 | per year |
| TextEdit+ Full Unlock | $24.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 📝 Simple and clean text editor
- 🔗 Integrates well with iCloud
- 👍 Useful for basic document editing

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Requires subscription for full functionality
- 🔒 Locks users out of previously purchased content
- 🚫 Prevents access to app without subscription
- 🤖 Forced AI integration that users don't want

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes when opening certain file types
- Formatting issues when copying/pasting text
- Inconsistent behavior across devices

**Requested features**

- Allow users to choose iCloud directory
- Offer one-time purchase option instead of subscription
- Restore previous paid versions without AI


### Ulysses

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ulysses-writing-app/id1225570693)

A distraction-free writing environment for Mac, iPhone, and iPad. It offers robust document management, seamless syncing, and flexible export options for writers of all kinds. Includes a proofreader and editing assistant.

**Highlights:** Distraction-free editor, Unified document library, Cross-device sync, Built-in proofreader, Flexible export options (PDF, DOCX, eBook, HTML), Direct publishing to blogs

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Plan | $5.99 | per month |
| Yearly Plan | $29.99 | per year |
| Yearly Plan | $39.99 | per year |
| Yearly Plan | $39.99 | per year |
| Student Offer | $10.99 | one-time |
| Perpetual License | $199.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Seamless syncing across devices
- 👍 Simple, distraction-free writing experience
- 💡 Powerful organization and formatting features
- 🦋 Beautiful, customizable interface
- ✨ Excellent for focused writing

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive subscription model
- 🐛 Occasional sync issues
- 🔒 Concerns about data privacy and lock-in
- 📚 Limited support for advanced formatting (tables, formulas, etc.)
- 🤔 Steep learning curve for some users

**Reported bugs**

- Unexpected data loss or file corruption
- Slow performance on older devices
- Unreliable iCloud sync
- Formatting issues when exporting to other formats

**Requested features**

- Improved collaboration and sharing features
- Better integration with reference managers and citation tools
- More flexible export options and compatibility
- Customizable keyboard shortcuts
- Ability to hide Markdown syntax


## Frequently asked questions

### Is TextEdit free?

TextEdit is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Ulysses free?

Ulysses is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, TextEdit or Ulysses?

Ulysses is rated higher. TextEdit averages 3.7 out of 5 from 376 ratings, while Ulysses averages 4.6 from 2.1K ratings.

### Do TextEdit or Ulysses have ads?

Neither TextEdit nor Ulysses shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, TextEdit or Ulysses?

TextEdit ships an update every 3 weeks, and Ulysses every 3 weeks. Most recently, TextEdit was updated on September 21, 2026 and Ulysses on September 24, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*