A free Overleaf alternative, with no signup
TeXpad is a LaTeX editor that runs pdfTeX in your browser. There is no account, it keeps working offline, and your documents never leave your device. It is built for writing on your own; if you need real-time co-authoring, Overleaf is still the better tool. Drop an Overleaf project below to try it with your own work.
Drop your Overleaf .zip here
We find the main file, merge \input/\include files, bring your figures, and convert your .bib.
TeXpad and Overleaf, side by side
| TeXpad | Overleaf | |
|---|---|---|
| Account | None. Open the page and write. | Required (free sign-up). |
| Where your documents live | In your browser, on this device. Nothing is uploaded. | On Overleaf's servers, available on any device you sign in on. |
| Offline | Yes, after the first visit: installable app, and the TeX packages you have used stay cached. | Free plan: 2 minutes of offline editing; paid plans: 10 minutes. |
| Real-time collaboration | No. You can send a copy by link; the recipient gets their own copy to edit. | Yes. Free plan: 1 collaborator per project; more on paid plans. |
| TeX engines | pdfTeX (pdfLaTeX) only. | pdfLaTeX, XeLaTeX, and LuaLaTeX. |
| Bibliography | Cited .bib entries become a reference list on import; no BibTeX or Biber run. | BibTeX and Biber. |
| Multi-file projects | Imported from an Overleaf zip and merged into one .tex, with figures and custom .sty files. | Native multi-file projects. |
| Version history | Last 25 snapshots of each document, on your device. | Free plan: previous 24 hours; full history on paid plans. |
| Track changes | No. | Paid plans. |
| Compile time limit | None from a server; very large documents are limited by your computer. | Free plan: "basic compile timeout"; paid plans get 24x. |
| Price | Free. No paid plan. | Free plan; paid plans from $8.25/month (student, billed yearly). |
Overleaf details are from Overleaf's plans page, checked November 13, 2026. Plans change; check there for current terms.
When Overleaf is the better choice
- You write with co-authors at the same time, or need comments and track changes.
- Your project needs XeLaTeX or LuaLaTeX, a specific BibTeX/Biber style, or a journal's submission workflow.
- You want the same projects on every computer you sign in on.
When TeXpad fits
- You don't want an account, or your school or employer is careful about where documents are stored.
- You write on a train, a plane, or a bad connection.
- You need a resume, a problem set, a letter, or a paper draft compiled quickly. Start from one of the 20 templates, or fix a failing compile with the LaTeX error guides.
Move a project from Overleaf in three steps
- In Overleaf, open the project and choose Menu → Download → Source.
- Drop the zip in the box above. TeXpad finds the main file, merges
\inputand\include, and brings your figures and custom style files. - The editor opens and compiles a PDF. See what the import handles for details.
Questions
Is TeXpad affiliated with Overleaf?
No. TeXpad is an independent, free editor. It can open projects you download from Overleaf.
Will my Overleaf project compile the same way?
Projects that compile with pdfLaTeX usually do. Projects that need XeLaTeX or LuaLaTeX (for example ones using fontspec or system fonts) will not, and bibliography styles are approximated because the references are converted instead of run through BibTeX.
Can I move back to Overleaf later?
Yes. Choose Export → LaTeX source in TeXpad and upload the .tex file, and your figures, to a new Overleaf project.
What happens if I clear my browser data?
Your TeXpad documents are stored in this browser, so clearing site data deletes them. Download the .tex (or the PDF) of anything you want to keep, the same as you would with any local file.