TeX Live

TeX Live is a free and open-source TeX distribution for Linux, macOS, and Windows systems. It includes major TeX-related programs like TeX, LaTeX, ConTeXt, Metafont, and BibTeX. TeX Live aims to be easy to install and use for casual and advanced users alike.

TeX Live alternatives ➤

What is TeX Live?

TeX Live is a distribution of the TeX typesetting system that includes major TeX-related programs like TeX, LaTeX, ConTeXt, Metafont, BibTeX, and many supporting programs and macro packages. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows systems.

TeX Live is developed and maintained by the TeX user groups worldwide. The main goals of TeX Live are to be easy to install and use, contain the most up-to-date releases of free TeX software, be consistent across platforms, and be completely free and open source software.

Some key features and components of TeX Live include:

Over 2500 TeX packages and engines preinstalled, including LaTeX2e, ConTeXt, Metafont, BibTeX, and many font and macro packages
Support for directly installing additional packages from theCTAN archive using the tlmgr package manager
Extensive cross-platform support with a unified structure and binaries across Linux, macOS, and Windows
Support for differentTeX engines like pdfTeX, XeTeX, and LuaTeX out of the box
Automatic updates of packages and engines using the tlmgr tool
Extensive documentation included locally as well as access to CTAN resources online

With its large collection of included packages, cross-platform support, and emphasis on ease of use, TeX Live aims to be a comprehensive and accessible TeX system suited for casual and advanced TeX users alike.

Official Links

Official Website
www.tug.org/texlive

The Best TeX Live Alternatives

Top Apps like TeX Live

Overleaf, TeXstudio, MiKTeX, LyX, Kile, MacTeX, Typeset, TeXpert, VerbTeX LaTeX Editor, SwiftLaTeX, TexMaths, TeXnicle, TeXmacs, Verbosus: Online LaTeX Editor, Curvenote, TeXPortal, MonsterWriter, TeXworks, Papeeria, JLatexEditor, Inlage are some alternatives to TeX Live.

Sugggest an alternative ❐

Overleaf

Overleaf is an online collaborative LaTeX editor and publishing platform that makes the process of writing, editing and publishing scientific documents much quicker for both beginners and advanced users. Overleaf supports real-time editing and previewing of LaTeX documents, allowing multiple authors to edit a document simultaneously while seeing changes appear...

TeXstudio

TeXstudio is a feature-rich, open-source LaTeX editor that runs on Windows, Linux, and macOS. It provides an intuitive interface and advanced editing capabilities for working with LaTeX documents.Some of the key features of TeXstudio include:Syntax highlighting and code completion for LaTeX commands and environmentsConfigurable build tools for compiling...

MiKTeX

MiKTeX is a free and open-source distribution of the TeX/LaTeX typesetting system for the Windows operating system. It allows you to easily install TeX packages and use TeX editors on Windows without having to manually configure TeX yourself.Some key features of MiKTeX include:Simple installation on Windows with...

LyX

LyX is an open source document processor that emphasizes the visual layout and structure of documents rather than stylistic markup. It uses LaTeX, an advanced document preparation system, behind the scenes to render documents to PDF or other formats while insulating authors from the LaTeX code.Some key features of...

Kile

Kile is a feature-rich LaTeX editor for Linux, Windows, and macOS operating systems. As an open-source application, Kile is free to download and use.Some of the key features that Kile provides include:Syntax highlighting and code folding for LaTeX filesSupport for compiling documents and viewing output directly within the...

MacTeX

MacTeX is a comprehensive TeX/LaTeX distribution for macOS that is based on TeX Live. It includes the major TeX engines (pdfTeX, XeTeX, LuaTeX), an extensive collection of macro packages, reference works, documentation, and fonts. MacTeX also bundles useful graphical applications like TeXShop, TeXworks, BibDesk, LaTeXiT, and Excalibur.Some of...

Typeset

Typeset is a cloud-based platform that aims to make research writing and publishing easier for academics and researchers. It utilizes artificial intelligence to provide a suite of tools for writing, formatting, collaborating on, and submitting research documents like journal articles, conference papers, theses, grant proposals, and more.Some key features...

TeXpert

TeXpert is a feature-rich LaTeX editor and productivity suite aimed at students, academics, scientists, and other technical writers who use LaTeX. It was created to make writing documents, research papers, theses, and books in LaTeX more efficient.Key features of TeXpert include:Intelligent auto-completion of LaTeX commands, references, citations, images...

VerbTeX LaTeX Editor

VerbTeX is a feature-rich LaTeX editor optimized for efficient writing and publishing of scientific papers, reports, theses and books. It has an intuitive and customizable user interface designed specifically for LaTeX.Key features of VerbTeX include:Auto-completion of LaTeX commands, environments, references and citations as you typeCustomizable templates and wizard...

SwiftLaTeX

SwiftLaTeX is an open-source LaTeX editor developed specifically for macOS. It aims to provide a fast, stable and easy to use editing experience for working with LaTeX documents.Some key features of SwiftLaTeX include:Clean and intuitive user interface following macOS design conventionsLive preview that updates in real-time as you...

TexMaths

TexMaths is a handy Windows application for typing and inserting mathematical equations into documents. As an open-source LaTeX equation editor, it allows anyone to access a robust tool for math typesetting without expensive proprietary software.At its core, TexMaths utilizes the powerful LaTeX typesetting system for rendering professional-quality mathematical notation...

TeXnicle

TeXnicle is a feature-rich text editor and integrated development environment (IDE) designed specifically for working with LaTeX documents. It aims to provide a fast, lightweight, and customizable environment for writing, editing, and compiling LaTeX code.Some of the key features of TeXnicle include:- Native LaTeX support with syntax highlighting...

TeXmacs

TeXmacs is a free, open-source WYSIWYG scientific word processor and typesetting system that runs on major platforms. It integrates features such as mathematical formulas, graphs, two- and three-dimensional graphics, multi-lingual support, customizable syntax highlighting, dynamic buttons and menus, animated images, slideshows, indexes, bibliographies and more.As an alternative to LaTeX...

Verbosus: Online LaTeX Editor

Verbosus is an innovative online LaTeX editor aimed at making creating professional documents easy. It offers a user-friendly web interface for writing, editing, and exporting LaTeX projects without needing to install any software locally.Key features of Verbosus include:Intuitive visual editor with live preview - See changes rendered in...

Curvenote

Curvenote is a powerful knowledge management and collaboration software. It allows users to create a visual network of interlinked concepts, notes, and thoughts. This flexible knowledge graph lets you intuitively capture ideas and link related pieces of information together in a structured way.Some key features of Curvenote include:Flexible...

TeXPortal

TeXPortal is an open-source, cross-platform LaTeX editor and PDF viewer designed specifically to meet the needs of academics and researchers. It features a user-friendly WYSIWYG editor that allows you to write professional documents in LaTeX without having to learn LaTeX code.Some of the standout features of TeXPortal include:Intuitive...

MonsterWriter

MonsterWriter is a distraction-free word processor and text editor designed specifically for creative writers. It has a clean, minimalist interface that eliminates distractions so you can stay focused on your writing.Some key features of MonsterWriter include:Distraction-free writing environment - No bells and whistles, just a simple, clutter-free interfaceAdvanced...

TeXworks

TeXworks is a free, open source LaTeX editor and PDF viewer that runs on Windows, MacOS, and Linux. It aims to provide an easy-to-use interface for working with LaTeX documents.Some key features of TeXworks include:Syntax highlighting and auto-completion for LaTeX documentsBuilt-in PDF viewer to preview documentsSupport for compiling...

Papeeria

Papeeria is a free online document editor and collaboration platform aimed at academic and scientific writing. It allows multiple users to edit a document at the same time with real-time co-editing, making it easy to collaborate on research papers, reports, theses and more.Some key features of Papeeria include:Built-in...

JLatexEditor

JLatexEditor is a free, open-source LaTeX editor written in Java. It provides an easy-to-use graphical interface for writing, editing, and compiling LaTeX documents.Key features of JLatexEditor include:Syntax highlighting for LaTeX filesAuto-completion of LaTeX commands and environmentsIntegrated PDF viewer to see compiled document in real-timeCustomizable editor themes and layoutsProject...

Inlage

Inlage is an open-source, cross-platform note taking and knowledge management application. It is designed to be highly flexible and customizable to suit a variety of workflows.Some key features of Inlage include:Support for rich text documents with formatting, images, tables, etc.Hierarchical note organization using notebooks and tagsBi-directional links...