Typst
Focus: typesetting, latex alternative and documents. Also in Writing and Research, like Overleaf. Adds Windows, macOS and Linux. Rated 4.6 (Overleaf: 4.7).
Web AppFree planWeb, Windows
4.6Visit
Web App
Overleaf
An online LaTeX editor for writing and sharing papers in the browser.
Built with love by Shushant Lakhyani. Building bestproductivityresources.com
What is Overleaf?
Overleaf is a collaborative LaTeX editor that runs in the browser, so there is nothing to install. The free plan covers unlimited projects, thousands of templates for papers, CVs and theses, and sharing with one collaborator per project, while paid plans add more collaborators, full history and track changes.
Pros
- No LaTeX install needed
- Huge template gallery
- Live preview of the PDF
Cons
- Free plan allows one collaborator per project
- Compile time is limited on the free plan
Who should use Overleaf
Students and academics who write papers, theses or CVs in LaTeX.
Who may not need it
People who are happy writing in a normal word processor.
Overleaf alternatives
Similar resources to Overleaf, picked from the directory.
Zettlr
Focus: markdown editor, citations and open source. Shares academic writing with Overleaf. A desktop app, not a web app. Free (Overleaf: Freemium). Adds Windows, macOS and Linux. Rated 4.5 (Overleaf: 4.7).
Desktop AppFreeWindows, macOS
4.5Visit
Awesome Journal Skills
Focus: journals, claude code and skills. Shares academic writing with Overleaf. An AI tool, not a web app. Free (Overleaf: Freemium). Rated 4.3 (Overleaf: 4.7).
AI ToolFreeCross-Platform
4.3Visit
Google Docs
Focus: documents, word processor and real-time collaboration. Also in Writing and Collaboration, like Overleaf. Adds Android and iOS. Same 4.7 rating.
Web AppFree planWeb, Android
4.7Visit
Craft
Focus: documents, beautiful and apple. Also in Writing and Collaboration, like Overleaf. Adds macOS, iOS and Windows. Rated 4.6 (Overleaf: 4.7).
Web AppFree planmacOS, iOS
4.6Visit
Google Forms
Focus: forms, surveys and quizzes. Also in Research and Collaboration, like Overleaf. Free (Overleaf: Freemium). Rated 4.5 (Overleaf: 4.7).
Web AppFreeWeb
4.5Visit
Free alternatives to Overleaf
Free resources that cover similar ground.
HedgeDoc
Focus: markdown, collaborative editing and self-hosted. Also in Collaboration and Writing, like Overleaf. Free (Overleaf: Freemium). Rated 4.5 (Overleaf: 4.7).
Web AppFreeWeb
4.5Visit
Microsoft Forms
Focus: forms, surveys and quizzes. Also in Research and Collaboration, like Overleaf. Free (Overleaf: Freemium). Rated 4.3 (Overleaf: 4.7).
Web AppFreeWeb
4.3Visit
Zotero
Focus: citations, reference manager and pdf. Also in Research and Writing, like Overleaf. A desktop app, not a web app. Free (Overleaf: Freemium). Adds Windows, macOS and Linux. Rated 4.8 (Overleaf: 4.7).
Desktop AppFreeWindows, macOS
4.8Visit
Jan
Focus: local ai, llm and offline. Also in Writing and Research, like Overleaf. A desktop app, not a web app. Free (Overleaf: Freemium). Adds Windows, macOS and Linux. Rated 4.5 (Overleaf: 4.7).
Desktop AppFreeWindows, macOS
4.5Visit
ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors
Focus: office suite, docx and pdf editor. Also in Writing and Collaboration, like Overleaf. A desktop app, not a web app. Free (Overleaf: Freemium). Adds Windows, macOS and Linux. Rated 4.5 (Overleaf: 4.7).
Desktop AppFreeWindows, macOS
4.5Visit
Legal AI Skills
Focus: legal, ai skills and claude. Also in Writing and Research, like Overleaf. A framework, not a web app. Free (Overleaf: Freemium). Rated 4.4 (Overleaf: 4.7).
FrameworkFreeCross-Platform
4.4Visit
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