# Ulysses vs Word Tracker

The clearest difference is monetization model: Word Tracker at free with in-app purchases against Ulysses's subscription. Word Tracker also leads on review sentiment (81% vs 67%) and iOS requirement (18.0 vs 26.0). Ulysses's advantage is ratings volume (2.1K vs 270). On price, rating, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

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

Word Tracker holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Ulysses has 2.1K ratings behind it against 270, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of Ulysses's written reviews are positive against 81% of Word Tracker's.

Ulysses ships an update every 3 weeks, Word Tracker every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on October 27, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Ulysses | Word Tracker |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (2.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ulysses-writing-app/id1225570693/reviews) | **[4.8 (270 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/word-tracker/id1541495523/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **2.1K** | 270 |
| Positive reviews | 67.0% of reviews | **81.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 272 MB | 16 MB |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | **18.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Mac** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Ulysses GmbH & Co. KG](https://appshunter.io/developer/385113765) | [Marek Loose](https://appshunter.io/developer/1496762952) |

## What reviewers say

### 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


### Word Tracker

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/word-tracker/id1541495523)

Monitor your writing journey with this app. Set goals and deadlines to receive daily word count targets, ensuring you stay on track to complete your projects.

**Highlights:** Track writing progress, Set target word counts, Set project deadlines, Daily word count targets, View project statistics

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| The First Word | $0.99 | one-time |
| The First Chapter | $2.99 | one-time |
| Cloud sync | $4.99 | one-time |
| Halfway Through the Manuscript | $4.99 | one-time |
| The Bestseller | $9.99 | one-time |
| The Published Masterpiece | $19.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Ulysses free?

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

### Is Word Tracker free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Ulysses or Word Tracker?

Word Tracker is rated higher. Ulysses averages 4.6 out of 5 from 2.1K ratings, while Word Tracker averages 4.8 from 270 ratings.

### Do Ulysses or Word Tracker have ads?

Neither Ulysses nor Word Tracker shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Ulysses or Word Tracker?

Ulysses ships an update every 3 weeks, and Word Tracker every 2 weeks. Most recently, Ulysses was updated on October 27, 2026 and Word Tracker on October 27, 2026.

---

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