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Best Free Alternatives to Ulysses
Stop paying $40/yr. Discover professional-grade tools that won't break your budget.
Category: Writing & MarkdownVerified for 2025
Top Recommended Replacements
Obsidian
FREEBest for Personal Knowledge Management
Why we like it
Incredibly powerful with 1,000+ community plugins; uses local Markdown files for total data ownership; features a visual 'Graph View' to link ideas.
Keep in mind
Requires a learning curve to set up a library similar to Ulysses; mobile sync is a paid add-on (though third-party workarounds exist).
Zettlr
FREEBest for Academic & Research Writing
Why we like it
Built specifically for scholars and heavy researchers; native Zotero/Citero integration; powerful Zettelkasten method support.
Keep in mind
Interface is more utilitarian and less 'minimalist' than Ulysses; complex metadata management can be overkill for casual writers.
Manuskript
FREEBest for Novelists & Fiction Writers
Why we like it
A dedicated open-source tool for long-form fiction; includes character outliners, plot trackers, and a 'snowflake' method assistant.
Keep in mind
Interface feels slightly dated; not intended for short-form blog posts or quick note-taking.
FocusWriter
FREEBest for Distraction-Free Drafting
Why we like it
Extreme minimalism; hides all UI elements until you mouse over them; supports typewriter sound effects and customizable themes.
Keep in mind
Lacks a built-in document library; strictly for drafting individual files rather than managing a massive manuscript.
Ghostwriter
FREEBest Polished Markdown Experience
Why we like it
Beautiful, modern interface for Windows and Linux; provides a 'Hemingway Mode' (disables backspace) to force forward progress.
Keep in mind
Now maintained by the KDE community, which may make the Windows installation feel slightly less native than a standard app.
MarkText
FREEBest for Real-Time Live Preview
Why we like it
A sleek, modern editor that renders Markdown as you type (WYSIWYG); handles math formulas and diagrams effortlessly.
Keep in mind
Development has occasionally been stagnant; can be resource-heavy compared to simpler plain-text editors.
Bibisco
FREEBest for Character Development
Why we like it
Deep 'interview' style character builder; tracks locations and objects; unique focus on the 'human' side of storytelling.
Keep in mind
Free version is somewhat limited; the full 'Supporters' edition requires a one-time donation.
Joplin
FREEBest for Cross-Platform Syncing
Why we like it
Excellent free syncing via Dropbox, OneDrive, or WebDAV; highly secure with end-to-end encryption; supports web clipping.
Keep in mind
Heavily focused on 'notes' rather than 'manuscripts'; lacks professional export templates (like ePub) out of the box.
Logseq
FREEBest for Privacy-Focused Outlining
Why we like it
Privacy-first, local-only storage; uses an outliner format (bullet points) which many writers find faster for early drafts.
Keep in mind
The non-linear, block-based structure can be difficult to export into a traditional linear manuscript.
Reedsy Book Editor
FREEBest for Self-Publishing & Formatting
Why we like it
Web-based; automatically formats your book as you write; provides professional-grade PDF and ePub exports for Amazon/Kobo.
Keep in mind
Requires an internet connection; less flexible for non-book projects like technical documentation or blog posts.
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