Overleaf Free Plan Limits in 2026
Overleaf’s free plan in 2026 mainly restricts three things: real-time collaboration (one collaborator per project), compile time (a shorter timeout than paid plans), and history/integrations (full version history, track changes, Dropbox/GitHub sync are reserved for paid tiers). Unlimited projects and basic editing stay free. If those caps are what pushed you here, the rest of this post explains exactly what’s limited — and a free alternative without the collaborator cap.
What the Overleaf free plan limits
| Area | Free plan | Paid plans |
|---|---|---|
| Real-time collaborators | One per project | More, by tier |
| Compile timeout | Shorter | Longer |
| Full version history | Limited | Full |
| Track changes | No | Yes |
| Dropbox / GitHub sync | No | Yes |
| Projects | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Why people hit these limits
The collaborator cap is the one most teams notice first: the moment a second co-author needs to edit a thesis or paper in real time, the free plan asks you to upgrade. The compile timeout bites later — a long thesis with many figures or a heavy tikz diagram can exceed the free build window. Neither is a bug; they’re the boundary between free and paid.
A free alternative without the collaborator cap
LetX is a free online collaborative LaTeX editor built by Shahriar Labs for exactly this case. It offers unlimited real-time collaborators, unlimited projects, and compiles typical documents in about 1–2 seconds — and it explicitly does not train AI on your documents (ai-train=no), which matters for unpublished research. Start from 80+ templates including university thesis formats, or see the full field in best Overleaf alternatives in 2026.
How to move a project from Overleaf
- In Overleaf: Menu → Download → Source to get the project
.zip. - In LetX: + New Project → Upload ZIP.
- LetX preserves your
.tex, images, and.bibfiles and folder structure, then compiles. - Invite co-authors — there’s no per-seat charge.
Considering newer editors too? See how LetX compares on speed and privacy in LetX vs Overleaf and LetX vs Typst.
Frequently asked questions
How many collaborators does the Overleaf free plan allow?
On Overleaf’s free plan, a project supports one collaborator (the owner plus one invited editor). Inviting more people in real time requires a paid plan. LetX offers unlimited real-time collaborators for free. Always check Overleaf’s current pricing page, as limits change.
Does Overleaf free have a compile time limit?
Yes. Overleaf’s free tier enforces a shorter compile timeout than its paid plans, so long or image-heavy documents can fail to build on free. LetX compiles typical documents in about 1–2 seconds with no separate free-tier timeout tier.
Is there a free alternative to Overleaf without limits?
Yes. LetX is a free online collaborative LaTeX editor with unlimited projects, unlimited real-time collaborators, and fast compiles. You can import an existing Overleaf project by uploading its .zip.
Can I move my Overleaf project to LetX?
Yes. In Overleaf, download your project as a .zip, then in LetX choose “+ New Project → Upload ZIP”. Your .tex files, images, and .bib bibliography and folder structure are preserved.
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Written by Shihab Shahriar Antor — AI Engineer & Founder of Shahriar Labs. Builder of LetX (collaborative LaTeX) and QuantumSketch (AI STEM video).