10 Best LaTeX Editors for 2025
The definitive guide to choosing the right LaTeX editor. Compare features, pricing, and find the best tool for your research.
Last updated: January 31, 2026
Quick Picks by Category
Feature Comparison
| Editor | Type | AI | Collaboration | Offline | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. TypeTeX Top Pick | Online | Unlimited free | Free tier + Pay-as-you-go | 4.9 | ||
| 2. Overleaf | Online | 1 free / 10+ paid | Free tier / $15-36/month | 4.5 | ||
| 3. VS Code + LaTeX Workshop | Desktop | Via Copilot | None built-in | Free (open source) | 4.6 | |
| 4. TeXstudio | Desktop | None | Free (open source) | 4.4 | ||
| 5. Typst.app | Online | Free | Free tier + paid plans | 4.4 | ||
| 6. Papeeria | Online | Limited | Free tier / $5/month | 4.2 | ||
| 7. LyX | Desktop | None | Free (open source) | 4.1 | ||
| 8. CoCalc | Online | Limited free | Free tier / $14/month | 4 | ||
| 9. Texmaker | Desktop | None | Free (open source) | 4 | ||
| 10. Authorea | Online | Yes | Free tier / $10/month | 3.8 |
Detailed Reviews
Best Overall — AI-Powered Research Writing
Pros:
- AI writing assistant included free
- Supports both Typst and LaTeX
- Unlimited free collaborators
- Modern, intuitive interface
- Sub-second compilation (Typst)
- No installation required
Cons:
- Smaller template library than Overleaf
- Cloud-only (no offline mode)
- Newer platform
Best Template Library — Industry Standard
Pros:
- Largest template library (5000+)
- Most widely used platform
- Excellent collaboration
- Git integration
- Rich history feature
Cons:
- No AI assistance
- Free tier limited (1 collaborator)
- Slow compilation (2-5 seconds)
- Premium is expensive
Best for Power Users — Free & Customizable
Pros:
- Completely free
- Highly customizable
- Excellent Git integration
- Works offline
- Large extension ecosystem
- Familiar VS Code interface
Cons:
- Requires local TeX installation
- Setup can be complex
- No built-in collaboration
- Steeper learning curve
Best Desktop IDE — Full-Featured & Free
Pros:
- Free and open source
- Feature-rich IDE
- Built-in PDF viewer
- Cross-platform
- Good autocomplete
Cons:
- No cloud/collaboration
- Requires local TeX setup
- Interface feels dated
- No AI assistance
Best Modern Alternative — Typst Native
Pros:
- Instant compilation
- Modern, clean syntax
- Excellent error messages
- Free collaboration
- Growing fast
Cons:
- Typst only (no LaTeX)
- Smaller template ecosystem
- No AI assistance
- Some journals need LaTeX
Best Budget Option — Simple & Affordable
Pros:
- Generous free tier
- Git integration
- Simple interface
- Affordable premium
Cons:
- Limited collaboration
- No AI features
- Smaller template library
- Less polished UI
Best WYSIWYM Editor — Visual LaTeX
Pros:
- Visual editing (no raw LaTeX)
- Produces real LaTeX output
- Good for long documents
- Free and open source
Cons:
- Still has learning curve
- Less flexible than raw LaTeX
- Desktop-only
- Dated interface
Best for Computational Research — LaTeX + Jupyter
Pros:
- Jupyter + LaTeX together
- Time travel (version history)
- Terminal access
- Good for data science
Cons:
- LaTeX not primary focus
- Interface overwhelming
- Slower compilation
- Complex for pure writing
Classic Desktop Editor — Lightweight & Reliable
Pros:
- Free and lightweight
- Cross-platform
- Simple, focused interface
- Reliable and stable
Cons:
- No cloud features
- Basic compared to TeXstudio
- No AI or collaboration
- Dated interface
Best for Publishing Workflow — Journal Integration
Pros:
- Publishing-focused features
- Journal submission integration
- Reference management
- WYSIWYG + LaTeX hybrid
Cons:
- Acquired by Wiley (unclear future)
- LaTeX support incomplete
- Limited free tier
- Less active development
How to Choose
Frequently Asked Questions
For online: TypeTeX offers the most generous free tier with AI and unlimited collaboration. For desktop: VS Code + LaTeX Workshop or TeXstudio are completely free and full-featured.
TypeTeX is easiest for beginners—the interface is familiar and AI helps with syntax. Overleaf is also beginner-friendly with more tutorials available.
It's the most established, but TypeTeX is now preferred by many for its AI features, faster compilation (via Typst), and unlimited free collaboration.
No. Excellent free options exist: TypeTeX (free tier with AI), Overleaf (limited free), VS Code + LaTeX Workshop (completely free).
TypeTeX with Typst mode compiles in milliseconds. Traditional LaTeX compilation takes 2-30 seconds depending on document complexity.
TypeTeX is the only major LaTeX editor with built-in AI writing assistance included in the free tier.
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Try TypeTeX FreeDisclaimer: Rankings based on our assessment of features, pricing, and user feedback. TypeTeX is our product. We strive for fairness and accuracy. Features and pricing subject to change. Last updated: 1/31/2026.