LaTeX editors take word formatting to the next level compared to Microsoft Word and other WYSIWYG editors. The LaTeX approach isn’t anywhere as visual as Office apps, but it provides plenty of options for formatting text up to the smallest detail and preference of the user.
That is why LaTeX is considered an academic standard in many industries. If you need to use math equations and tailor your paper to scientific requirements, you are probably better of by using the what-you-see-is-what-you-mean approach utilized by LaTeX editors.
If you do not have any experience with this type of software, you might be wondering what the best LaTeX editor for Linux out there is. Let’s take a look at some of the top-rated selections that students and other professionals most frequently use.
1. Texstudio
If you have never used a LaTeX editor before, the chances are you will need a bit of time to find your way around. That is why you can benefit from an editor that has a user-friendly interface and makes getting around easy.
TeXstudio is an open-source and free editor you can use on multiple platforms, including Linux, Windows, and macOS. That makes it simple to edit your file wherever you are.
When it comes to features, we have to emphasize the option to highlight syntaxes, perform a reference check, and auto-format tables tanks to the formatter included.
You can also take advantage of the word count feature, as well as hundreds of math formulae that will come in handy to all professionals out there.
TeXstudio comes with a bunch of assistant features and tools that make working in the editor easier. For example, it can auto-correct some of your mistakes, perform a spell check, and it even has an integrated PDF viewer.
2. Texmaker
Is your preferred desktop choice GNOME? In that case, you should consider trying Texmaker as it is a great fit for that environment. The main goal of the developers when creating the software was to provide an amazing user experience. That is why they packed the editor with useful features, and you can notice that from the start.
The configuration window will give you the chance to adjust all the fundamentals before you even start editing your document. While you are working, Texmaker will immediately show how the text looks like in a separate section. You can also add photos, a wide range of math formulae, tables, and other useful content.
The editor will even try to identify the errors you make in the process, as well as provide suggestions on what you should do to fix them. If you need to create a bibliography, you can do so effortlessly with Texmaker.
Exporting to HTML and PDF are also among available options when using this editor Texmaker is available on multiple platforms, and you can download it for free.
3. Kile
Kile is a bit different than the previous two LaTeX editors we mentioned. It tries to be a more advanced tool that will give you additional useful features, which makes it more of an IDE than a simple editor.
Some of the most useful features that Kile offers include quick compilation and an immediate preview of documents, as well as advanced tools like adding citations, organizing the content in chapters, as well as ordering the software to complete certain commands automatically. All these useful add-ons might make this app more suitable for programmers and developers, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use it for academic-level work.
Kile is entirely free, and there are no limitations when it comes to using it.
4. TeXlipse
The next editor on our list is another one that can be an excellent fit for programmers, particularly those using the Eclipse IDE. If you are a fan of that environment, you need an editor that fits perfectly with it, and that is TeXlipse.
TeXlipse is not an independent editing tool, but an Eclipse plugin that can serve whenever you need to edit anything. Since it particularly focuses on code, the features like folding and commenting on code, marking errors, and highlighting syntaxes are not surprising. You can also see how your code looks like thanks to the preview option.
The tool is free to use, but you will need to install Eclipse IDE on your Linux-based machine first.
5. TeXworks
We are now getting back to versatile LaTeX text editors suitable for various types of users, including newbies, veterans, and programmers. TeXworks has everything you might expect from an editing tool ranging from the options to complete commands automatically to Unicode support and an exporting feature.
You could say that this is a minimalistic tool perfect for those who are looking for a clean interface and not-too-complex approach that still has all the basic features you might need.
TeXworks is available on multiple platforms and free to download.
Other Linux LaTeX Editors You Should Consider
If none of the above fits your taste, perhaps you will find the best LaTeX editor for Linux among the following tools:
- ShareLaTeX – an online-based tool that allows you to edit text directly from your internet browser. It is perfect for teams that are working together on a project. Please note that it is initially free, but you may need to buy a pricing plan depending on the number of collaborators.
- Overleaf – the statistics indicate that this tool is used by more than 200,000 academic writers throughout the globe. It comes with a bunch of templates covering everything from thesis to formal letters and lab reports.
- Authorea – it is another online-based LaTeX editor with extra features like a chat plugin and history of document revising. You can use it for free or on sign up for a monthly subscription.
- Vim – the developers claim that you won’t find a tool that is more customizable to your needs than LaTeX, and they might be right. The tool features visual editing and has multi-platform
- TeXpen – if you do not want to complicate things, TeXpen offers the minimalized approach you may need. It does a great job in implementing the basics – having a code editor on one side and a live preview on the other.
Wrap Up
Ultimately, the choice of the best LaTeX editor does depend on your preference and the features that you need. We tried to include various tools to fit everyone’s taste, including those looking for a clean and minimalistic interface, as well as programmers who need specific features to suit their coding needs. It is also worth mentioning we’ve tested all these editors on Ubuntu and they performed flawlessly. Feel free to test the LaTeX editors we reviewed and pick your favourite!
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