| Price | One-time $19.99 | $5.99/mo, $39.99/yr, or $199.99 once (perpetual license) |
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| Platforms | Mac, Windows, Linux, iPhone, iPad & Android | Mac, iPad, iPhone (Apple only) |
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| Runs on macOS 14 | Yes: macOS 14 or later (iPhone and iPad: iOS 17 or later) | No: the current version needs macOS 15.4 (iPhone and iPad: iOS 26); an older system can only reinstall an earlier version it had before, with the same Apple Account |
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| Account needed | Yes: one Bravely Account sign-in (Apple, Google or email) | No: there is no Ulysses account; the subscription is linked to your Apple Account |
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| Cross-device sync | Not automatic: tap Add to Cloud, then open it on your other devices | Yes, automatic |
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| File format | Plain .md files on your disk | Managed library (external folders can hold .md files) |
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| Native (non-Electron) app | Yes | Yes |
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| Live preview | Editor, Preview and Split views | Preview of your export style |
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| Managed library / organization | No | Yes: groups and keywords |
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| Goal / word tracking | No | Yes: goals and deadlines |
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| One-tap publishing | No | Yes: WordPress, Ghost, Medium, Micro.blog |
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| Vim mode (normal/insert/visual, core motions + operators) | Yes (desktop) | No |
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| Pandoc export (DOCX/EPUB/LaTeX/Reveal.js) | Yes (desktop): Linux converts on your computer; Mac and Windows convert on our server, so they need a connection | DOCX and ePub built in (also PDF, HTML, Markdown); no LaTeX or slides |
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| Encrypted documents (AES-256-GCM) | Yes (desktop) | No: a password lock guards the app, and texts are stored unencrypted on disk |
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| Snippet library (date, time, cursor placeholders) | Yes (desktop) | No |
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| Custom CSS / themes | Yes, for the preview (desktop) | Yes: CSS for HTML and ePub export styles, plus editor themes |
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| Mermaid / KaTeX | Yes | Partial: LaTeX math, no Mermaid diagrams |
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| Mobile apps (iPhone / iPad / Android) | Yes — iPhone, iPad and Android | Yes: iPhone and iPad |
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