Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

LyX VS MathType

Compare LyX VS MathType and see what are their differences

LyX logo LyX

LyX is a document processor.

MathType logo MathType

The Professional version of Equation Editor- MathType is a powerful interactive tool for Windows and Macintosh that lets you create mathematical notation for word processing, web pages, desktop publishing, presentations, and for TeX, LaTeX, and Math…
  • LyX Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-09-29
  • MathType Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-16

LyX features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    LyX provides a graphical front-end, making it accessible for users unfamiliar with LaTeX code, simplifying document preparation.
  • WYSIWYG Editing
    What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG) editing allows users to see a closer approximation of the final document format while editing.
  • Integration with LaTeX
    LyX is fully integrated with LaTeX, allowing advanced users to insert LaTeX code directly and leverage LaTeX's powerful typesetting capabilities.
  • Support for Mathematical Formulas
    LyX includes robust support for creating and formatting complex mathematical equations and symbols, ideal for academic and technical documents.
  • Bibliography Management
    LyX offers comprehensive tools for managing bibliographies and referencing, supporting BibTeX and various citation styles.
  • Document Class Templates
    Provides a wide range of document classes and templates to help users quickly start creating articles, books, slides, and more.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    LyX runs on different operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, ensuring broader accessibility.
  • Efficient Collaboration
    LyX supports version control systems like Git, making it easier for multiple users to collaborate on large documents.

Possible disadvantages of LyX

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Despite its graphical interface, new users might find LyX's extensive features and options overwhelming and challenging to learn initially.
  • Limited WYSIWYG Precision
    While LyX offers WYSIWYG capabilities, it may not always accurately reflect the final LaTeX output, requiring additional previews and adjustments.
  • Performance Issues
    For very large documents, LyX can become slow and less responsive, potentially impacting productivity.
  • Dependency on LaTeX Installation
    LyX requires a working LaTeX installation, which can be complex and time-consuming to set up, particularly for users not familiar with LaTeX.
  • Customization Limitations
    Advanced customization in LyX can be limited compared to working directly in LaTeX, restricting some of the finer control over document formatting.
  • Compatibility Issues
    LyX-generated LaTeX files might not always be fully compatible with all LaTeX packages and customizations, leading to potential conflicts and errors.
  • Dependency on External Tools
    LyX relies on various external tools (like LaTeX, BibTeX, etc.), and issues or updates with these tools can affect LyX's performance and compatibility.

MathType features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    MathType provides a user-friendly interface with a GUI that makes it easy to create and edit complex mathematical equations and notations.
  • Compatibility
    The software is compatible with various word processing and presentation software, including Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and more, facilitating easy integration.
  • Customization
    Users can customize equations with different fonts, styles, and sizes, allowing for a more personalized and professional appearance.
  • Extensive Symbol Library
    MathType offers an extensive library of mathematical symbols and templates to cater to a wide range of disciplines and needs.
  • Export Options
    Equations can be exported in various formats, including MathML, TeX, and image formats, which enhances its versatility.

Possible disadvantages of MathType

  • Cost
    MathType is a paid software, and the cost may be a barrier for students or professionals with limited budgets.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite its user-friendly interface, beginners may require some time to fully understand and utilize all the features effectively.
  • Performance Issues
    Some users have reported performance issues, such as lag or crashes, when working with very complex equations or large documents.
  • Limited Mobile Support
    MathType's functionality on mobile devices is limited compared to its desktop version, which may be inconvenient for users who require mobile access.
  • Updates and Support
    Occasional updates and customer support responses can be slow, potentially delaying workflows and resolution of issues.

Analysis of LyX

Overall verdict

  • LyX is considered a good tool, especially for users involved in academic, scientific, and technical writing. Its strengths lie in its ability to handle complex documents with ease, its integration with LaTeX, and its strong community support.

Why this product is good

  • LyX is a document processor that emphasizes the structure of documents rather than the visual appearance, making it ideal for academic and scientific writing. It integrates LaTeX and provides a what-you-see-is-what-you-mean interface, which helps users focus on content without worrying about formatting. This approach reduces the complexity associated with document styling, making it accessible for users who need to produce professional-looking documents efficiently.

Recommended for

    LyX is highly recommended for researchers, scientists, and academicians who frequently produce complex documents such as theses, dissertations, research papers, and books. It is also suitable for anyone familiar with LaTeX who wants a more user-friendly interface or for those willing to learn it to produce high-quality typeset documents.

Analysis of MathType

Overall verdict

  • Overall, MathType is considered a strong choice for creating and editing mathematical equations. It is especially useful for professionals and students who need to work with advanced mathematical notations frequently. Its ease of use and broad compatibility make it a reliable choice.

Why this product is good

  • MathType is a popular mathematical notation software that integrates well with various word processors and web applications. It offers a user-friendly interface, supports a wide range of mathematical symbols, and is widely used in education and academia for creating complex equations and formulas. Its compatibility with multiple platforms and extensive features make it a valuable tool for anyone dealing with mathematical content.

Recommended for

  • Teachers and educators preparing math-related materials
  • Students studying mathematics or related fields
  • Researchers and professionals in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)
  • Anyone needing to include complex equations in documents or presentations

LyX videos

Introduction to LyX

More videos:

  • Review - LYX Pro HAS-30 review!
  • Review - LyxPro HAS-20 Professional Over-The-Ear Headphones Review Video

MathType videos

MathType (previously Wiris Editor) - Switching between classic input and handwriting

More videos:

  • Tutorial - Equation Editing software: How to use MathType Word plugin for Inserting & Editing Equations

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to LyX and MathType)
Text Editors
66 66%
34% 34
Writing
56 56%
44% 44
Writing Tools
58 58%
42% 42
LaTeX
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using LyX and MathType. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Reviews

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

LyX Reviews

14 BEST LaTeX Editor for Mac & Windows in 2022
LyX is a document processor. It helps you to write using the WYSIWYM editor. This application offers easy to use graphical interface. It enables you to edit mathematical formulas without any hassle.
Source: www.guru99.com
12 Best LaTeX Editors You Should Use
you are forgetting LyX. I think LyX is the best choice for writing latex docs without knowing much of latex. This can be awful for purists, but it is a solution for many people looking for a pragmatic approach to latex writing. Also, the final latex documents are quite clean and can be easily edited.
Source: beebom.com
Which LaTeX Editor is Best for Windows?
LyX has many useful features that allow a very high level of customization when it comes to editing. Here are some of the features included in LyX:
Source: asoftclick.com

MathType Reviews

We have no reviews of MathType yet.
Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, LyX seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 15 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.

LyX mentions (15)

  • Is there an alternative to learning Latex for publishing research papers?
    You can use LyX. LyX self-describes as a What You See is What You Mean editor, basically a fully graphical editor for writing LaTeX. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Math and Science People: How do you write equations / proofs?
    Directly typing LaTeX gets unwieldy for longer and more complicated expressions, so I write those in LyX first and then copy-and-paste the LaTeX code into Obsidian. Source: about 2 years ago
  • VSCode vs Texifier (formerly texpad)
    I like LyX. It's not for everyone, but damn it can be effective. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Best offline editor/compiler
    An upopular opinion perhaps, but I'm a huge fan of the WYSIWYM editor LyX. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Adding custom words to the dictionary LINUX
    I don't think LyX devs will notice your point here, alas. You could consider writing an email to the devs email list found on lyx.org. Source: over 2 years ago
View more

MathType mentions (0)

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

What are some alternatives?

When comparing LyX and MathType, you can also consider the following products

Overleaf - The online platform for scientific writing. Overleaf is free: start writing now with one click. No sign-up required. Great on your iPad.

LibreOffice - Math - Math, LibreOffice, math editor, ODF, OpenFormula, open standards

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

KLatexFormula - KLatexFormula is an easy-to-use graphical application for generating images (that you can drag and...

Texmaker - Texmaker, free cross-platform latex editor

Math Magic - MathMagic Equation Editor for Desktop Publishing software & Word Processors, Adobe InDesign, QuarkXPress, MS Word, iWork, for Technical writing with very easy interface and fast input.