# Dharma Seed vs Ulysses

The clearest difference is price: Dharma Seed at Free against Ulysses's $4.99. Dharma Seed also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and ratings volume (77 vs 1). Ulysses's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.4) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 11 months). On ads there is nothing between them.

Dharma Seed is free to download; Ulysses costs $4.99 up front. Ulysses sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Dharma Seed asks for nothing beyond the download.

Ulysses holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Dharma Seed has 77 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Dharma Seed ships an update every 11 months, Ulysses every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Dharma Seed | Ulysses |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $4.99 |
| Rating | [4.4 (77 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dharma-seed/id507779665/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ulysses/id6789352921/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **77** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 85.3% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 11 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Paid |
| Size | 20 MB | 5 MB |
| Requires iOS | 26.1 | **17.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Vision Pro** |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Dharma Seed Tape Library, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/507779668) | [Hessam Zahedi](https://appshunter.io/developer/6785146214) |

## What reviewers say

### Dharma Seed

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dharma-seed/id507779665)

Access a vast library of dharma talks and guided meditations. Stream content, download for offline listening, and search by keyword or teacher. Support teachers through donations.

**Highlights:** Stream dharma talks and guided meditations, Download talks for offline playback, Search talks by keyword and teacher, Browse recent talks, View previously played talks, Support teachers via donations

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 📚 Vast library of talks
- 💎 Invaluable resource
- 🙏 Grateful for free content
- ✨ Wonderful app
- 💡 Easy to use interface

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐌 Clunky and antiquated interface
- 🤔 Lacking modern features
- 📉 No longer opens
- 🚫 App not loading
- 🪲 Faulty tech

**Reported bugs**

- Never completes install
- Stalls at 90%
- Unable to complete app download
- No longer opens on iPhone
- App isn't opening at all

**Requested features**

- Add a favorite/like button for talks
- Support for playlists
- Follow authors/teachers
- Transcripts
- Ability to download talks


### Ulysses

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ulysses/id6789352921)

This journal app helps you build self-control by reflecting on daily temptations and the strategies used to overcome them. It offers guided breathing exercises and insights into what works for you, without any pressure of streaks.

**Highlights:** Nightly self-control journaling, Guided breathing exercises, Insight into effective strategies, No streak tracking, Cultural ropes exploration, Apple Watch integration, iCloud sync

**Features:** Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Tip — A coil of rope | $2.99 | one-time |
| Tip — A new sail | $6.99 | one-time |
| A ship for the fleet | $14.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Dharma Seed free?

Dharma Seed is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Ulysses free?

Ulysses costs $4.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Dharma Seed or Ulysses?

Ulysses is rated higher. Dharma Seed averages 4.4 out of 5 from 77 ratings, while Ulysses averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Dharma Seed or Ulysses have ads?

Neither Dharma Seed nor Ulysses shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Dharma Seed or Ulysses?

Dharma Seed ships an update every 11 months, and Ulysses every 2 months. Most recently, Dharma Seed was updated on September 29, 2026 and Ulysses on September 25, 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.*