Loam vs Ulysses
Ulysses is a writing app for Mac, iPad and iPhone, built around a library of sheets and projects, and sold as a subscription. Loam is a free notebook for Mac that keeps each note as a Markdown file. Pick Ulysses for long writing projects and goals, on all your Apple devices. Pick Loam if you want plain files, plugins and an open source app.
Last updated November 3, 2026
Loam vs Ulysses at a glance
Published capabilities, checked on official sites in November 2026.
| Dimension | Loam | Ulysses |
|---|---|---|
| Where notes live | Plain Markdown files in a folder you choose, called a vault | In an app library synced through iCloud; external folders can hold Markdown files |
| Platforms | macOS 26 or later, on Apple silicon | Mac, iPad and iPhone |
| Sync | Git sync, with an optional encrypted remote | iCloud for the library; external folders through iCloud Drive or Dropbox |
| Writing tools | Markdown editor with backlinks and tasks | Writing goals, projects, export to PDF, Word, ePub and HTML |
| Source | Open source | Closed source app |
| Plugins | Every feature is a plugin. Install from the catalog or a Git URL; an agent can write one | No plugin system |
| Command line and agents | Yes: the loam command runs every action of the app | Shortcuts and x-callback-url |
| Price | Free | A subscription, with a free trial |
Sources: Ulysses ↗ · Ulysses external folders ↗
A library or a folder
Ulysses keeps your text in a library of sheets and groups. It uses a Markdown-style syntax, and its export options are strong, but the library is the way in. External folders let you work on Markdown files, with some limits: images, notes and goals are not kept in them.
In Loam each note is a Markdown file in a folder, and the folder is the vault. Nothing else holds your notes.
Long writing or linked notes
Ulysses is a tool for writers: it has writing goals, a clean editor, and export to PDF, Word, ePub and HTML. If you write books, articles or long reports, it is a strong fit.
Loam is for notes you keep and link: backlinks and search, tasks, daily notes and collections.
Price and automation
Ulysses is a subscription. Loam is free and open source.
In Loam every feature is a plugin, and the loam command line runs every action of the app, so an AI agent can read and write the vault. See Agents.
Which one to pick
Choose Loam if
- You want notes as Markdown files in a folder you control
- You want a free, open source app with plugins and a command line
- You want backlinks, tasks and collections
Choose Ulysses if
- You write long projects and want writing goals
- You write on iPad and iPhone as much as on your Mac
- You want polished export to PDF, Word, ePub and HTML
Switching from Ulysses to Loam
- In Ulysses, export your sheets as Markdown files.
- Open an empty folder as a vault in Loam, as described in Your first vault, and copy the exported files into it. Loam has no Ulysses importer.
- Check the links and the images after the copy. See Import notes.
Loam vs Ulysses: questions
Is Loam an alternative to Ulysses?
For notes, yes: free, open source and based on plain Markdown files. For long writing projects with goals and publishing, Ulysses is built for the job.
Can I export Ulysses to Markdown?
Yes. Export your sheets as Markdown, copy the files into a folder and open it as a vault in Loam.
Is Ulysses free?
Ulysses is a subscription app with a free trial. Loam is free and open source.
Does Loam have an iPad app?
No. Loam runs on macOS 26 or later, on Apple silicon.