Written and maintained by CASRAI Editorial Board
Last updated
A web LaTeX editor is a browser-based environment where you write LaTeX source, compile it on the vendor’s servers and read the PDF without installing a TeX distribution. This guide separates full-document editors (Overleaf, TeXPage, Papeeria) from equation-only tools, and compares the first group on the collaboration, history and sync features each vendor documents itself. Facts were read from each vendor’s own pages on 2026-11-08, except Overleaf plan limits, last checked 2026-08-29.
What a web LaTeX editor is
An online LaTeX editor, web LaTeX editor or online LaTeX IDE all name the same idea: the editor, the TeX toolchain and the preview live on a server, and you reach them through a browser. Two different kinds of tool share the name, and mixing them up is the most common reason a search for an editor goes nowhere.
Full-document editors
These manage a project of several files (main .tex, figures, bibliography) and compile the whole document. Overleaf, TeXPage and Papeeria are in this group. Use one when you are writing a paper, thesis or poster.
Equation editors
Tools such as the Lagrida LaTeX equation editor, QuickLaTeX and CodeCogs fxEditor present themselves, in their page titles, as online LaTeX equation editors. They are aimed at typing a formula and getting an image or snippet to paste elsewhere, not at managing a manuscript. Use one when you need a single formula for a slide or web page.
Who runs the main full-document editors
- Overleaf (overleaf.com) describes itself as an online LaTeX editor. Its documentation is public at docs.overleaf.com. For background see CASRAI’s beginner’s guide to Overleaf.
- TeXPage (texpage.com) describes cloud-based compilation, instant preview, real-time and asynchronous collaboration, review comments, change tracking, project history with restore, a formula editor with live preview, a visual table generator, an outline view and a symbol picker.
- Papeeria (papeeria.com) describes pure LaTeX or LaTeX plus Markdown projects, a template gallery, autocompletion, a spellchecker, an instant math previewer, auto-compilation and a pre-installed full TeX Live environment.
Creating and sharing a first project in Overleaf
The steps below follow Overleaf’s own documentation pages “Your first project” and “Sharing a project” (read 2026-11-08). The sign-in link is on the Overleaf home page; this guide does not cover account steps.
- Open the project dashboard after signing in.
- Click New Project. The menu also offers “Upload project” and “Import from GitHub”.
- Choose Blank project or Example project.
- Name the project and click Create. The Overleaf Editor opens with a new
.texfile. - Edit the source, then click Recompile to refresh the PDF.
- To collaborate, share by email (invitees appear under Manage access) or by link (“Anyone with the link”). Links do not expire; turning link sharing off keeps access for people invited by email.
Overleaf sharing roles
Overleaf documents three roles. Viewer is the default for links: view and download source and PDF, copy the project, and view comments. Reviewer can comment and suggest edits but cannot edit the source. Editor has full rights: edit, add files, accept or reject changes and restore versions. This matters for supervisors: a Reviewer role lets a supervisor comment without altering the source.
Overleaf’s documentation says that more than one editor or reviewer collaborator is a premium feature (an Overleaf Commons institutional licence, a group or an individual subscription). The plans page, checked 2026-08-29, listed the free plan as one collaborator beyond the owner, 24 hours of project history and the Basic compile timeout. Plans change, so confirm on the vendor’s plans page.
Strengths and limits
- No local install. Papeeria states a full TeX Live environment is already installed; Overleaf and TeXPage compile in the cloud.
- Co-authoring in one place. All three describe shared editing. They differ in the details their own pages state (see the table).
- Dependence on a vendor and a connection. Your source lives on someone else’s service. Papeeria lists Git, Google Drive and Dropbox sync; Overleaf offers GitHub import.
- Equation tools are not manuscript tools. They do not replace a project editor.
Alternatives compared
| Tool | Type | Collaboration (vendor’s own statement) | History | Sync or import |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overleaf | Full document | Viewer, Reviewer and Editor roles; share by email or link; more than one editor or reviewer is premium | Restore versions (Editor role); free-plan history 24 hours (checked 2026-08-29) | Upload project; Import from GitHub |
| TeXPage | Full document | Real-time and asynchronous collaboration, review comments, change tracking | Project history with restore | Not stated on the home page |
| Papeeria | Full document (LaTeX or LaTeX plus Markdown) | Read/write permissions, real-time co-editing, “No collaborator count limits!” | Per-file history and snapshots | Git, Google Drive, Dropbox |
| Lagrida, QuickLaTeX, CodeCogs fxEditor | Equation-oriented | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable |
For a local editor instead of a browser, see TeXStudio, the MiKTeX distribution and LaTeX on iPad. For a team workflow in Overleaf specifically, see LaTeX and Overleaf for collaborative research writing, and for non-Overleaf routes see Overleaf alternatives for collaborative LaTeX.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an online LaTeX editor and a LaTeX equation editor?
An online LaTeX editor compiles a whole multi-file document to PDF. An equation editor, per the titles of Lagrida, CodeCogs fxEditor and QuickLaTeX, produces a formula for use elsewhere.
Can I use an online LaTeX editor without logging in?
The vendor pages read do not state a no-login mode for Overleaf, TeXPage or Papeeria. Papeeria says sign-up is “Free, fast, no credit card required”. Overleaf’s first-project documentation begins with logging in.
Is there a free online LaTeX editor?
Papeeria advertises free sign-up with no credit card. Overleaf has a free plan with the limits above, last checked 2026-08-29. TeXPage’s home page does not state its free tier.
Can I edit LaTeX online and then download it for offline use?
Overleaf’s Viewer role can download source and PDF. Papeeria’s home page lists Git, Google Drive and Dropbox sync. You can then compile locally with a distribution such as MiKTeX.
Does the editor choice affect journal submission?
Use the template your target journal publishes. For citation style files see LaTeX bibliography styles explained.
Sources
- Overleaf documentation, “Your first project”: docs.overleaf.com/getting-started/your-first-project (read 2026-11-08)
- Overleaf documentation, “Sharing a project”: docs.overleaf.com/collaborating/sharing-a-project (read 2026-11-08)
- Overleaf plans page: overleaf.com/user/subscription/plans (checked 2026-08-29)
- TeXPage: texpage.com (read 2026-11-08)
- Papeeria: papeeria.com (read 2026-11-08)
