LaTeX (spelled as Lay-tek) is a document markup language which is being used for making of documents in various fields, including science, maths, statistics, physics, etc.
To compile LaTeX from within the editor, one may choose from a number of packages: latex, latex-plus, and latextools. The last one is an ongoing port of Sublime Text's LaTeXTools plugin and seems to be the most feature-rich of the three (as of 2016-03-20), with additional goodies like reference and bibliography completion as well as environment. I need a text editor for mathematics where I can easily type mathematical equations and different symbols as easily and with speed as I type plain text. I have checked some tools but they are difficult to use. The cross-platform (Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X) editor, jEdit, supports syntax highlighting for over 200 programming languages and auto indent, as well as a differencing utility, an FTP browser, and block selecting. It is also extendable using plugins and macros, and there are hundreds of plugins and macros available through the built-in.
LaTeX enables you to render mathematical equations, matrices, symbols, tables, and much more, in your document.
Today, we present 10 Best LaTeX Editors to you so that you can easily prepare documents in science, maths, physics, and much more.
In fact, LaTeX is one of the widely used text editors in the academia. It is a markup-level text editing tool that goes on to separate the word formatting from the content entry task.
LaTeX text editors have become the industry standards for people who have to work with scientific papers and publishing that have lots of mathematical equations.
One of the main features of LaTeX Editors is that they handle mathematical equations exceptionally well.
This feature alone lead to its development in the first place. LaTeX Editors are quite similar to HTML in formatting.
Using LaTeX, editors users can define the formatting of text beforehand using markup-level instructions.
Once the content is inserted, the document can be exported in PDF file format or any other file format.
Typically, there are two ways of approaching Word Formatting.
Generally, Document editing tools follow the WYSIWYG (‘what you see is what you get’) approach for word formatting in which a GUI based approach is followed, and users go on to visualize the result as they type the content.
However, there is another way of approaching Word Formatting.
Here, word formatting is done using the WYSIWYM (‘what you see is what you mean’) approach where word formatting is carried out as a markup entry beforehand, and the content is added to it later.
LaTeX editors make use of the WYSIWYM approach and separate the word formatting from the content entry task.
So, get ready to explore the list of 10 Best LaTeX Editors that will help you to prepare scientific papers in minutes with ease.
10 Top LaTeX Editors
1. ShareLaTeX
ShareLaTeX is one of those LaTeX Editors that does not require any kind of installations on your local device.
Latex Editor For Mac
ShareLaTeX comes to an online LaTeX editor that allows you to edit your documents right from your web browser.
One of the main highlights of ShareLaTeX is its 400 templates that come built-in with it.
These templates include technical paper layouts, scientific magazine articles, CV, and much more.
So, you can choose any such layout and get on with editing your content without thinking much about the formatting.
Another good feature of ShareLaTeX is that it enables users to collaborate on a document. ShareLaTeX also provides dragging and dropping of images, chat feature, document history, and external sharing of the completed document.
ShareLaTeX is trusted by thousands of academia and is a powerful LaTeX editor, right from your web browser.
2. TeXstudio
TeXstudio is another very popular open-source and multi-platform LaTeX editor.
TeXstudio offers an integrated writing environment for crafting LaTeX documents.
It makes writing LaTeX an easy and comfortable affair. It is open source and available for most operating systems.
TeXstudio comes as a full-blown LaTeX editing tool and offers numerous features such as syntax-highlighting, the integrated viewer, reference checking, and various assistants.
It is based on the open-source TeXmaker and is an extension of it with added features.
With TeXstudio, you get comfortable editing features. It offers auto-completion, multi-cursors, link overlay, drag and drop support for images, table formatting, numerous mathematical symbols, and much more.
Plus, you get regular features such as structure viewing, code folding, spell checking, and auto-corrections.
3. TeXworks
TeXworks is an open source, multi-platform LaTeX editor. This LaTeX editing tool is based on another open source LaTeX editor known as TeXshop.
TeXworks offers a GUI-based approach to LaTeX editing. It is studded with many key advantages found in the previously mentioned LaTeX editing tools.
TeXworks comes with a built-in PDF viewer that has auto-synchronization feature to it.
Other key features of TeXworks LaTeX editor, include Unicode support, auto-correction, auto-completion, and much more.
TeXworks takes a minimalistic approach to LaTeX editing and gets the work done without getting bogged down by too many functionalities and features.
Some of the other key features in TeXworks, include code folding, powerful built-in PDF viewer, insertion of graphics and tables, interaction with external editors which make this tool one of the best LaTeX editors for the academia.
TeXworks supports Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X platforms.
4. TeXmaker
TeXmaker is a very popular multi-platform, open source LaTeX editing tool. It works on all major platforms and has features that make it a great LaTeX editor.
Users can set-up all the basic settings for their LaTeX document using its configuration window before getting on to work with it.
It also offers the spell-checking and document layout settings through its ‘Quickstart’ window.
The ‘Structure View’ enables users to streamline their documents into different sections, labeling each one in the process. Plus, TeXmaker makes it easy for users for inserting tables, maths formulae, pictures, cross-references, etc.
Once you complete the document layout using TeXmaker, the document can be compiled and extracted as a PDF, ODF file, or HTML format.
TeXmaker also allows users to track errors in the compilation stage. It displays all warning and error messages so that users can take evasive actions regarding the same.
TeXmaker allows users to fold/unfold parts and sections of their documents. Users can even create a structured Bibliography section of documents.
There are plenty of keyboard shortcuts available with TeXmaker that make the overall experience worthwhile with this LaTeX editing tool.
5. Overleaf
Overleaf is a very popular online LaTeX editing tool. Overleaf is trusted by thousands of academia worldwide.
It is studded with features that make your document creation tasks easy and quick. Overleaf offers hundreds of templates, including Lab Reports, Thesis, formal letters, and Resume/CV.
Using their templates negates the necessity of starting from scratch as you go on to develop professionally formatted documents.
Overleaf allows you to collaborate with your team members on technical papers or academic documents.
This real-time collaboration is much needed as it provides transparency to the editing work that is being put in by the authors involved in its creation.
Plus, you can share your final document on different social networks, and Git account through the custom generated a link.
You can make the link ‘Read-only’ or ‘Read and Write’ depending on whom you share the document with. There is real-time preview feature as you go on to insert mathematical formulae in your document.
Plus, Overleaf is empowered with Error control and Notation support.
6. VIM LaTeX
VIM- LaTeX is a very powerful open-source LaTeX editor. Using VIM- LaTeX, you can easily edit and compile LaTeX documents.
The main highlight of VIM- LaTeX is that it brings the minimalistic and powerful approach to text editing. It’s an extension for Vim and works with Vim version 6.0 or above.
The entire installation process has been perfectly documented on their Sourceforge page, which you should definitely refer.
VIM- LaTeX is highly suitable for programmers as it can function as a simple notepad to all kinds of text editing. It is highly configurable and can be used for editing of configuration files.
Some of its key features include visual editing, mode mapping, compiling, error tracking, code folding, customized templates, and much more.
VIM- LaTeX works on Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, and Unix-based systems.
7. TeXlipse
If you are a programmer and working on Eclipse IDE for your development processes, then TeXlipse is a great plugin for LaTeX editing.
TeXlipse offers the best of LaTeX text editing to your Eclipse IDE program. With TeXlipse, you get a WYSIWYM text editor for your programming requirements while on Eclipse.
TeXlipse is studded with features that make up the best LaTeX editors and is the perfect text editing companion for programmers.
Some of the core features of TeXlipse, include code commenting, code folding, Table view, word count, syntax highlighting, spell checking, error markers, document templates and more.
Project preview feature enables users to preview code output and eliminate any potential errors or problems. It is a powerful document editing tool based on Eclipse IDE.
8. Authorea
If you are looking for a web based LaTeX editor, then Authorea should come out as a great option.
Authorea is an amazing online LaTeX editor and possesses features found in the top LaTeX editing tools.
Some of the key features offered by Authorea include collaboration tools, ready-to-use templates, chat feature, document revision history, auto-creation of references page, links, tables, easy insertion of images, and much more.
Authorea supports file formats such as HTML, LaTeX, Markdown, and more. Additional features include exporting the document as PDF, Quick Edit, and sharing on social media, the creation of an index page, word count, and toggle on/off comments that make Authorea one of the best web-based LaTeX editing tools.
Plus, insertion of mathematical formulae, images, and tables is quite straightforward. All in all, Authorea is easy to use LaTeX Editor.
9. Kile
Kile offers an integrated LaTeX environment and functions as a user-friendly TeX/LaTeX editor by KDE. Kile works on many architectures and operating systems such as PC, Mac, BSD, Linux, and Windows.
It is easy to use. You can compile, convert, and view your documents with one click. It supports auto-completion of LaTeX commands.
It offers numerous templates and wizards that help you to start a new document easily. It supports easy insertion of standard symbols and tags.
You can easily find chapters or sections in your document. You can even preview a selected part of your document. It has advanced editing commands, as well.
10. Aquamacs
Aquamacs comes as an Emacs text editor for Mac OS X. It integrates with the Mac and provides the same flexibility and comfort like any Mac application.
It has all the power that you expect in GNU Emacs. Aquamacs supports the standard Mac user interface that is loved all across the globe.
It is being used by thousands of programmers, authors, and academia. It is easy to install and works out-of-the-box with no configuration.
Aquamacs has a range of proportional and monospaced fonts. It offers standard Mac menu and standard Mac shortcuts. You can organize the files you edit in tabs. It can spell-check your documents.
Best Tex Editor
It reads and writes files in all Unicode variants. Plus, you get great support. There’s a lot to expect with Aquamacs.
We hope that the list of 10 Best LaTeX Editors proves a good resource for finding the most suitable LaTeX editing tool. Do leave your comment to let us know how the post helped you.
If you liked this LaTeX Editors post, don’t forget to share it with your friends and colleagues.
Ask the average engineer about LaTeX and blank stares might be the probable response you get. Although the LaTeX is a document preparation system originally built in the 80’s by Leslie Lamport for use in the scientific, mathematics and engineering field, its popularity in these fields is still limited. Therefore, this article will be shedding some light on LaTex, LaTeX editors and its similarities/contrasting features with Microsoft Word.
What is LaTeX?
Lamport TeX also fondly known as LaTeX, is a document preparation system that allows the writer make use of plain text and markups to highlight or make stylized changes to the entire document. A text distribution such as MikTeX or TeX Live is still used to produce an output file such as DVI or PDF which are suitable for digital reproduction.
It is important to note that LaTeX provides the user with more writing flexibility due to the fact that it harnesses the power of TeX which handles its layout responsibilities while LaTeX handles the content side for document processing.
Best LaTeX Editor recap
| Editor | OS | License |
| TeXmaker | Windows, Linux, MacOS, Android | Freeware |
| TeXstudio | Windows, MacOS, Unix-like | GNU, GPL |
| TeXworks | Windows, Linux, MacOS | GPL |
| TeXShop | MacOS | GNU, GPL |
| Vim with LaTeX-Suite | VIM ecosystem | |
| Authorea | web-based LaTeX editor |
What is LaTeX used for?
LaTex is a typesetting system and it uses source code to generate a document. As stated earlier, with LaTeX you can edit a file and then typeset it to generate a specified output which can be PDF. In the academic and scientific community, LaTeX is generally the typing document of choice this is due to the fact that it can be used to produce a high-level or professional typesetting and structure than the average ‘what you see is what you get’ word document such as Microsoft or Libre Word.
It generally allows the user focus primarily on typing or content without having to bother about the layout. While the LaTeX software takes care of structuring and page formatting. Now, an understanding of what LaTeX is and what it has to offer generally leads to the question; what are the differences between it and the average Microsoft Word Document. This I will answer in the next paragraphs.
Comparing LaTeX vs. Microsoft Word
To actively compare both document preparation systems, it is important to provide criteria that direct the comparisons. These criteria will include the following;
- Kerning—the process of selectively adjusting spacing between word
- Capitalization—the ability to create small capital letters in different format
- Intuitive Ligatures use—the use of ligatures and how a system integrates this
- Glyph Variants—having a selection of varying glyph fonts
- Line breaks and Hyphenation—how a preparation system supports document readability
- Getting Expert Fonts
Now using the following criteria to discuss the differences between LaTeX and Microsoft Word we have:
- Kerning: this is a process that involves selectively adjusting the space between letter pairs—VA, PA, AY etc.—these series of letters must be adjusted accordingly to bring out the right appearance. Using the average WYSIWYG document system—Microsoft—adjusting kerning to fit into a particular aesthetic arrangement is impossible but when using a LaTeX system, you have the privilege of arranging series of letters according to the aesthetic alignment you prefer. Below, you can see the difference in how these words are kerned. Writing ‘Table with Ms Word leaves a subtle space b default between ‘T and a’ while using LaTeX, the proper spacing between both letters is maintained.
- Capitalization: when writing capital letters using the double capitalization method—which consist of a larger capital letter and same capital letter in a smaller form (AA), the average WYSIWYG system simply creates a fake small capital letter by playing with font size. LaTeX, on the other hand, goes all out to ensure that different set of glyphs are used. A LaTeX system ensures that the smaller capital letter is distinct which can be noticed from the heavier touch and visual compatibility they share with the larger character.
- Intuitive Ligatures: A good typesetting program is one that has the ability to intuitively apply contextual intelligence and substitutions when and where ligatures are needed. The image below shows how Microsoft Word misses the mark when it comes to understanding common ligature while the other image showcases the correct use of ligatures when typesetting with LaTeX.
Also, when writing ancient words still in use today, MS Word simply allows you itemize these words using italics but LaTex provides you with actual ancient ligatures for them. The picture below showcases these examples.
- Glyph Variants: expert fonts are generally made up of variants such as alternate shapes or alphabetic characters mixed with numbers. While some LaTeX document system allows you to intuitively write words using different font variants, the average WYSIWYG system does not support glyph variants.
- Line Breaks and Hyphenation—a document’s overall readability is not determined by the typefaces or fonts used but by the accurate distribution of characters and spaces per line. To get this done, the average WYSIWYG processors use un-intuitive justification and hyphenation to make words more readable. On the other hand, a LaTeX processor makes use of advanced algorithms to determine the justifications, line breaks, spacing and hyphenating a sentence needs. This drastically improves the quality and readability of word documents. This makes the entire document look good and further developments have enabled LaTeX engines to stick certain characters into its margin which creates better or optically lined margins.
- Getting Expert Fonts—LaTeX provides much better expert fonts than those produced by the normal WYSIWYG document system. This is due to the multitude of fonts available for selection by the user. Although Microsoft Words does not come close to the number of expert fonts available at both ends, Mac OS can compete to a certain level with LaTeX. Users of the LaTeX system can also download thousands of font types from various online sources to augment the default fonts in the LaTeX ecosystem.
Here, we find the major differences between the LaTeX documenting system and that of Microsoft Word. The next step for those who believe LaTeX offers a better option for documentation is getting a good LaTeX editor to work with. Below are some of the best documents you can use for typesetting.
The Top 5 best LaTeX Editors Engineers and Engineering Students Should Use
TeXmaker
TeXmaker makes this list due to its popularity as an open-source, multi-platform solution for LaTeX editing. The editor comes with an easy to use interface which requires that the user set-up all the basic settings of their LaTeX document before actually beginning to work with it. TeXmaker also provides the user with the necessary features to carry out spell-checks and other layout details using the ‘Quick start’ window. The structure view also serves the important task of allowing users streamline documents using separate sections while labeling each section during the process.
On completing the groundwork for the document layout and imputing the text, the next step is compiling and getting the document out in PDF, HTML or ODF format. The TeXmaker is also designed to allow the user track errors during the compilation stage and it takes the step of actively displaying these errors so you can edit as you choose. The TeXmaker was developed to run on every platform or operating system out there. Therefore, you can use this tool with Windows, Mac OS X and Linux.
What Is The Best Latex Editor For Mac
TeXstudio
Latex Editor Review
Here we have another extensive open-source and multi-platform LaTeX editor which has made some positive in-roads in the academic world. The TeXstudio is basically an advanced version of the TeXmaker due to the fact that it includes features such as ‘Document Word count, frequency count analysis etc.
Best Latex Editor For Mac Reddit
The features that make this LaTeX editor stand out are; syntax highlighting for sentence correction, reference check to simplify finding references and an inclusion of approximately 1500 mathematical formulae. The average engineer or engineering student can see why this system is more useful than WYSIWYG documentation.
The ability to add formulae with ease makes it a standout text processing unit. TeXstudio also supports the integration of images and table—which are auto formatted—making it a more advanced version of TeXstudio. Users can also export completed work to PDF and HTML like most LaTeX editors. TeXstudio is supported by the major operating systems used by students worldwide. Therefore, you can use it on your Windows, Linux or Apple powered computers.
TeXworks
TeXworks which is an off-shoot of TeXshops, is an open-source LaTeX editor that provides a GUI-based approach to editing and it comes with a lot of the features listed in the previous two. The TeXworks main features include auto-completion and auto-correction support which simplifies the task of LaTeX editing. This editor is liked by students due to its minimalistic yet comprehensive approach to LaTeX editing.
TeXworks which is an off-shoot of TeXshops, is an open-source LaTeX editor that provides a GUI-based approach to editing and it comes with a lot of the features listed in the previous two. The TeXworks main features include auto-completion and auto-correction support which simplifies the task of LaTeX editing. This editor is liked by students due to its minimalistic yet comprehensive approach to LaTeX editing.
TeXworks also integrates the use of graphics, table and other image interacting tools to create a more diverse document. The system is also supported by Windows, Linux and the Mac OS ecosystem. This is another favourite LaTeX editor for man people, therefore; engineers and students stand to gain a lot using the TeXworks editor.
Vim with LaTeX-Suite
This is another powerful LaTeX editor that allows the user edit and compiles LaTeX documents on the VIM ecosystem. Like TeXworks before it, it brings a minimalistic approach to editing. It is important to note that it is basically an extension with the capability to edit and compile LaTeX documents for VIM.
The features of this extension include a GUI-based interface which definitely simplifies your work. The simplification comes from the ease at which images, graphics and graphs can be integrated into a document. The LaTeX suite can also be configured according to the user’s wishes and programmers can create different sections, troubleshoot these sections for errors as well as add code blocks with ease into documents. It is also a versatile tool which can be used for diverse functions such as creating notes, editing configured files and the normal LaTeX edits it is known for. Lastly, the extension as well as Vim, is supported on all operating systems—Windows, Linux, Unix, and Mac OS—which definitely increases its appeal to the programming community.
Authorea
When looking for an excellent web-based LaTeX editor, the Authorea might just be the best solution for your needs. This tool is great online editors which possess almost all the features you would expect in an advanced LaTeX editor. One of its major selling points is that it comes equipped with ready-to-use templates and not integrations or configurations are needed to set this up.
Its features include a plethora of collaboration tools, document revision history and a chat feature that enhances your ability to communicate with other collaborators when working on a document. The Authorea also makes it easy to insert images, links, tables and other key items you would require making your document more readable. The auto-creation reference feature will also be one that engineering students will find useful when writing dissertations and academic papers that require such. The inclusion of mathematical formulae is also an endearing factor that makes the Authorea a delight for students working with such formulas. This LaTeX editor is also available on Windows, Linux and Mac operating systems.
Here we come to the end of the top 5 LaTeX editors engineering professionals and students can use to edit LaTeX documents and store them digitally using different file formats—PDF, HTML etc. There are other LaTeX editors available on the market and a majority of these editors are totally free. Therefore we recommend that you find one to play around with in other to learn more about the expanded capabilities they offer engineering professionals.