Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Authorea VS Overleaf

Compare Authorea VS Overleaf and see what are their differences

Authorea logo Authorea

Collaborative platform for research. To write and manage technical documents in one place.

Overleaf logo Overleaf

The online platform for scientific writing. Overleaf is free: start writing now with one click. No sign-up required. Great on your iPad.
  • Authorea Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-10
  • Overleaf Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-16

Authorea features and specs

  • Collaborative Writing
    Authorea allows multiple authors to collaboratively edit documents in real-time, making it easier for teams to work together effectively.
  • LaTeX Support
    The platform provides robust support for LaTeX, which is particularly beneficial for academics and researchers who need to write complex mathematical formulas.
  • Formatting and Referencing
    Authorea offers automated formatting and referencing tools that help streamline the writing and publication process.
  • Integrated with Data Repositories
    Users can integrate datasets directly into their documents, which is useful for scientific publications requiring data transparency.
  • Export to Multiple Formats
    Documents can be exported into various formats like PDF, Word, and HTML, providing flexibility in how content is shared and published.

Possible disadvantages of Authorea

  • Limited Offline Access
    Authorea requires an internet connection for most collaborative features, which can be a limitation for users needing offline access.
  • Pricing and Plans
    Some features are only available in paid plans, which may not be suitable for users looking for a free solution.
  • Learning Curve
    New users, especially those unfamiliar with LaTeX or collaborative writing tools, may face a learning curve getting started.
  • Performance Issues
    Some users have reported performance issues with large documents, which can affect the ease of use during editing and review.
  • Limited Customization
    Customization options for document layout and design might be limited compared to other writing platforms.

Overleaf features and specs

  • Collaborative Editing
    Overleaf allows multiple users to edit a document simultaneously, which is ideal for teamwork and co-authorship.
  • Real-time Preview
    Users can see real-time previews of their compiled LaTeX code, helping to quickly catch and fix errors.
  • Rich Template Library
    Overleaf offers a wide range of templates for various document types, making it easier for users to get started.
  • Cloud Storage
    Documents are stored in the cloud, providing easy access from any device with an internet connection.
  • Version Control
    Overleaf includes version control features, allowing users to revert to previous versions of their document.

Possible disadvantages of Overleaf

  • Internet Dependency
    An active internet connection is required to use Overleaf, which can be problematic in areas with poor connectivity.
  • Limited Free Plan
    The free plan includes limited features and storage, which might not be sufficient for intensive or long-term projects.
  • Performance Issues with Large Documents
    Overleaf can experience performance lags when working with very large documents or complex LaTeX code.
  • Learning Curve
    New users may find it challenging to learn LaTeX syntax and Overleaf's interface, especially if they are more familiar with WYSIWYG editors.
  • Privacy Concerns
    Documents stored in the cloud may raise privacy and security concerns for users handling sensitive information.

Analysis of Overleaf

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Overleaf is generally considered to be a good online LaTeX editor.

Why this product is good

  • Overleaf offers real-time collaboration, making it easy for multiple users to work on a document simultaneously.
  • It provides a wide range of templates which are useful for various types of documents, from research papers to resumes.
  • The platform is accessible online, eliminating the need for software installation and ensuring users can access their documents from anywhere.
  • Overleaf integrates with version control systems like Git, which is beneficial for handling complex projects.
  • Its user-friendly interface makes it easier for beginners to start using LaTeX compared to traditional LaTeX editors.

Recommended for

  • Researchers and academics who frequently use LaTeX for writing papers.
  • Students working on assignments or theses requiring LaTeX formatting.
  • Collaborative projects where team members need to work on the same document in real time.
  • Users who prefer an accessible cloud-based solution for LaTeX editing without the need to install local software.

Authorea videos

Comparing Authorea, ShareLaTeX and Overleaf for academic writing

More videos:

  • Review - Simple minimal peer review with Authorea Collections
  • Review - A quick introduction to Authorea

Overleaf videos

An Introduction to Overleaf

More videos:

  • Review - Overleaf Review Mode Quick Intro
  • Review - Comparing Authorea, ShareLaTeX and Overleaf for academic writing

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Authorea and Overleaf)
Writing
11 11%
89% 89
Writing Tools
10 10%
90% 90
Text Editors
11 11%
89% 89
LaTeX
13 13%
87% 87

User comments

Share your experience with using Authorea and Overleaf. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Authorea and Overleaf

Authorea Reviews

14 BEST LaTeX Editor for Mac & Windows in 2022
Authorea is online LaTeX editor. It allows you to write and publish data with ease. This application supports commenting to discuss the changes in real time.
Source: www.guru99.com
12 Best LaTeX Editors You Should Use
If you are looking for more web-based LaTeX editors, Authorea should be a great option for you. Authorea is a great online LaTeX editor, and possesses many of the great features offered by the previously mentioned tools. Ready-to-use templates, collaboration tools, document revision history, chat feature, auto-creation of references page, easy insertion of images, links,...
Source: beebom.com

Overleaf Reviews

14 BEST LaTeX Editor for Mac & Windows in 2022
Overleaf is easy to use cloud-based collaborative LaTeX editor. It is one of the best LaTeX editors which allows you to view the document history. You can insert images, equations, bibliographies, and more.
Source: www.guru99.com
12 Best LaTeX Editors You Should Use
Another great online LaTeX editing tool is Overleaf. Trusted by over 200,000 academia worldwide, Overleaf is a great LaTeX editing tool with all the features that make your document creations easy.
Source: beebom.com
Which LaTeX Editor is Best for Windows?
For example, if youโ€™re a beginner and want a basic editor, you might want to try Overleaf. On the other hand, if youโ€™re a more advanced user, then TeXnicCenter is a good choice. No matter what editor you choose, youโ€™ll be able to get the job done. Itโ€™s just a matter of finding the right tool for the job.
Source: asoftclick.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Overleaf seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 61 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Authorea mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Authorea yet. Tracking of Authorea recommendations started around Mar 2021.

Overleaf mentions (61)

  • I wrote my PhD Thesis in Typst
    Many people use LaTeX via Overleaf (a Website, cf. https://overleaf.com ) rather than installing it locally. That also solves the problem of having to install locally vairous extension packages or fonts - all is already there, and after writing a paper you may submit it directly to some conferences or journals from that Web GUI instead of having to email it or upload to a third site. - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • Make sure your Resume is ATS compatible
    Yes, this is something which many don't know. Always create your resume in pdf or if its not in pdf format convert it to pdf format and then use it, as PDF is the best format for ATS compatibility. overleaf.com is great place to get Google, Microsoft, etc.. employee's Resume templates ready to use and edit for which are ATS compatible. Source: about 2 years ago
  • [25F] [Java/SpringBoot/Hibernate] Not getting interviews
    23.10 M here, those skills shouldn't be rang birangi dabbe and should use deedys or jake's resume on overleaf.com. Source: over 2 years ago
  • What needs to happen for ChatGPT to start generating visual answers like electrical schematics?
    I asked gpt to "create a complex circuit diagram in LaTex format. I then used https://overleaf.com to render the LaTex document gpt produced. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Please review my resume for entry level software developer roles. I have applied to 400+ positions yet not callbacks..
    A nitpick: the bottom right text "created with resumepuppy.com" looks a little unprofessional. If you want an online resume website (free), there's overleaf.com which I like. Source: over 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Authorea and Overleaf, you can also consider the following products

TeXworks - The TeXworks project is an effort to build a simple TeX front-end program (working environment)...

TeXstudio - TeXstudio is an integrated environment for writing LaTeX documents.

Fidus Writer - Fidus Writer is an online collaborative LaTeX editor especially made for academics who need to use...

LyX - LyX is a document processor.

WinShell - WinShell is a free integrated development environment (IDE) for easy working with LaTeX or TeX.

VTEX - Cloud-based eCommerce platform