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.
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.
I want the editor to be as distraction free as possible; like a basic text editor. I would also like if it would compile the equations and other formatting stuff on spot, like the rich text editor in overleaf does, as I am really looking for distraction free environment and latex code is rather ugly. LaTeX Base is a web-based LaTeX editor. This software automatically compiles the code as you write. It allows you to publish and share the document with one click.
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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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