Scrintal
Ulysses
| Feature | Scrintal | Ulysses |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free / from $12/mo | From $5.99/mo |
| Free Plan | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Rating | 4.2 / 5 | 4.6 / 5 |
| Best For | researchers, visual-thinkers, writers, students | authors, bloggers, journalists, apple-users |
| Founded | 2021 | 2013 |
| Infinite Canvas | ✓ | ✗ |
| Note Cards | ✓ | ✗ |
| Connections | ✓ | ✗ |
| Bi Directional Links | ✓ | ✗ |
| Mind Maps | ✓ | ✗ |
| Collaboration | ✓ | ✗ |
| Markdown Editor | ✗ | ✓ |
| Library Organization | ✗ | ✓ |
| Goals And Deadlines | ✗ | ✓ |
| Publishing | ✗ | ✓ |
| Icloud Sync | ✗ | ✓ |
| Split View | ✗ | ✓ |
✓ Scrintal Pros
- Visual note connections
- Infinite canvas
- Combines notes and mindmaps
- Good for visual thinkers
✗ Scrintal Cons
- Newer platform still maturing
- Limited integrations
- No mobile app yet
✓ 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
Scrintal is built for researchers and visual thinkers, with a focus on infinite-canvas and note-cards. Ulysses targets authors and bloggers and leads with markdown-editor and library-organization.
On pricing, Ulysses is the clear winner for budget-conscious users — starting at $5.99/mo compared to $12/mo for Scrintal. That $6.01/mo difference adds up quickly for growing teams.
Scrintal 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.
Ulysses edges out on user ratings (4.6 vs 4.2). While both are well-regarded, that gap reflects real differences in user satisfaction worth considering.
Bottom line: Ulysses has a slight overall edge — but if visual note connections matters most to you, Scrintal may still be the right call.