Memos
Ulysses
| Feature | Memos | Ulysses |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free / from $0/mo | From $5.99/mo |
| Free Plan | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Rating | 4.4 / 5 | 4.6 / 5 |
| Best For | self-hosters, quick-note-takers, journaling, privacy-focused-users | authors, bloggers, journalists, apple-users |
| Founded | 2022 | 2013 |
| Markdown | ✓ | ✗ |
| Tags | ✓ | ✗ |
| Search | ✓ | ✗ |
| Api | ✓ | ✗ |
| Docker Deployment | ✓ | ✗ |
| Embed Resources | ✓ | ✗ |
| Timeline View | ✓ | ✗ |
| Markdown Editor | ✗ | ✓ |
| Library Organization | ✗ | ✓ |
| Goals And Deadlines | ✗ | ✓ |
| Publishing | ✗ | ✓ |
| Icloud Sync | ✗ | ✓ |
| Split View | ✗ | ✓ |
✓ Memos Pros
- Completely free and open-source
- Lightweight and fast (single binary deployment)
- Twitter-like quick note interface
- Full data ownership with self-hosting
✗ Memos Cons
- No real-time collaboration features
- Limited organizational tools (no folders/hierarchy)
- Self-hosting required (no managed cloud option)
✓ Ulysses Pros
- Beautiful distraction-free writing
- Excellent library management
- Direct publishing to blogs
- iCloud sync across devices
✗ Ulysses Cons
- Apple ecosystem only
- Subscription model controversial
- No Windows support
The Verdict
Memos is built for self hosters and quick note takers, with a focus on markdown and tags. Ulysses targets authors and bloggers and leads with markdown-editor and library-organization.
On pricing, Memos is the clear winner for budget-conscious users — starting at $0/mo compared to $5.99/mo for Ulysses. That $5.99/mo difference adds up quickly for growing teams.
Memos has a free plan, which gives it a meaningful edge for individuals and small teams exploring their options. Ulysses requires a paid subscription from day one.
Feature-wise, Memos offers broader built-in capabilities (7 features vs 6), while Ulysses takes a more focused approach — which can mean a simpler, faster onboarding experience.
This is a genuinely close comparison. If you can, sign up for both free trials (where available) and run a one-week test with your actual team tasks before deciding.