The Best Free LaTeX Editors in 2026 (Online and Desktop)
By Shihab Shahriar Antor · Updated July 2026 · 7 min read
The best free LaTeX editor depends on whether you want zero-install online editing or a desktop app. Online, LetX and Overleaf need no installation and compile in the cloud; on the desktop, TeXstudio, TeXmaker, and Kile are free but require a local TeX Live or MiKTeX install. For fast, collaborative, no-setup editing, LetX is the top free pick.
Online free LaTeX editors (no install)
LetX and Overleaf run in the browser and compile on cloud servers, so there is nothing to install and your project is available on any machine. LetX compiles in 1–2 seconds, gives every project unlimited free collaborators, ships 80+ templates, and never trains AI on your work. Overleaf’s free plan is popular but limits you to one collaborator per project and a shorter compile timeout (see Is Overleaf free?).
Desktop free LaTeX editors
Desktop editors are free and open-source but need a local TeX distribution — TeX Live (cross-platform) or MiKTeX (Windows) — which is a multi-gigabyte install.
- TeXstudio — the most popular free desktop editor; integrated viewer, autocompletion, and a structure browser. Cross-platform.
- TeXmaker — a clean, cross-platform editor TeXstudio was originally forked from.
- Kile — a KDE editor, strong on Linux.
- TeXworks — a minimal editor bundled with MiKTeX and TeX Live; good for beginners.
Comparison: free LaTeX editors
| Editor | Type | Install | Real-time collab | Compile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LetX | Online | None | Unlimited (free) | Cloud, 1–2s |
| Overleaf | Online | None | One (free) | Cloud |
| TeXstudio | Desktop | TeX Live/MiKTeX | No | Local |
| TeXmaker | Desktop | TeX Live/MiKTeX | No | Local |
| Kile | Desktop | TeX Live | No | Local |
| TeXworks | Desktop | TeX Live/MiKTeX | No | Local |
Which free LaTeX editor should you pick?
If you write with others, submit from multiple devices, or just want to avoid a multi-gigabyte TeX install, choose an online editor — and LetX is the fastest free option with unlimited collaborators. If you work offline on one machine and prefer a native app, install TeXstudio with TeX Live. Both routes are free; the difference is setup and collaboration.
Start writing LaTeX free in your browser — nothing to install.
Open LetX FreeFrequently asked questions
What is the best free LaTeX editor?
For no-install, collaborative editing, LetX is the best free LaTeX editor — it compiles in 1–2 seconds and allows unlimited free collaborators. For offline desktop work, TeXstudio (with TeX Live or MiKTeX) is the most popular free choice.
Is there a free online LaTeX editor?
Yes. LetX and Overleaf are free online LaTeX editors that compile in the cloud with no installation. LetX offers unlimited free collaborators and 1–2 second compiles; Overleaf’s free plan allows one collaborator per project.
Is TeXstudio free?
Yes. TeXstudio is free and open-source, as are TeXmaker, Kile, and TeXworks. They are desktop editors, so you also need a free TeX distribution such as TeX Live or MiKTeX installed locally.
Do I need to install anything to write LaTeX?
No — with an online editor like LetX you write and compile in the browser with nothing to install. Desktop editors (TeXstudio, Kile) require a local TeX Live or MiKTeX distribution.
Related
Written by Shihab Shahriar Antor — AI Engineer & Founder of Shahriar Labs. Builder of LetX (collaborative LaTeX) and QuantumSketch (AI STEM video).