Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

MiKTeX VS Overleaf

Compare MiKTeX VS Overleaf and see what are their differences

MiKTeX logo MiKTeX

MiKTeX is a typesetting system for the Windows operating system.

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.
  • MiKTeX Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-13
  • Overleaf Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-16

MiKTeX features and specs

  • Easy Installation
    MiKTeX provides a straightforward and easy installation process, which is suitable for beginners and advanced users alike. It includes a package manager that handles most dependencies automatically.
  • Automatic Package Management
    MiKTeX automatically installs missing LaTeX packages when they are needed, saving users from manually searching and installing packages.
  • Regular Updates
    The software is frequently updated to fix bugs and include new features, ensuring users have access to the latest tools and improvements.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    MiKTeX is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, allowing users to work across different operating systems with the same setup.

Possible disadvantages of MiKTeX

  • Resource Intensive
    MiKTeX can be resource-intensive, requiring significant disk space and memory, which might be a drawback for users with older or less powerful systems.
  • Complexity for Beginners
    Despite its easy installation, using LaTeX editors like MiKTeX can be challenging for beginners due to the steep learning curve associated with LaTeX itself.
  • Windows-Centric Focus
    Although MiKTeX is cross-platform, it has a strong focus on Windows users, which can occasionally lead to less optimized experiences on macOS and Linux.
  • Occasional Bugs
    Users sometimes encounter bugs or stability issues during package updates, which can interrupt workflow and require troubleshooting.

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.

MiKTeX videos

How to Get Started with Latex on Windows 10 Texmaker MiKTeX

More videos:

  • Tutorial - Use Portable LaTeX: MikTeX and TeXstudio (Latex Advanced Tutorial-35)

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 MiKTeX and Overleaf)
Writing
14 14%
86% 86
Text Editors
18 18%
82% 82
Writing Tools
13 13%
87% 87
LaTeX
15 15%
85% 85

User comments

Share your experience with using MiKTeX 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 MiKTeX and Overleaf

MiKTeX Reviews

14 BEST LaTeX Editor for Mac & Windows in 2022
Miktex is an open-source LaTeX editor. It offers easy to use installation wizard. This application has an integrated package management system.
Source: www.guru99.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 you’re a beginner and want a basic editor, you might want to try Overleaf. On the other hand, if you’re a more advanced user, then TeXnicCenter is a good choice. No matter what editor you choose, you’ll be able to get the job done. It’s just a matter of finding the right tool for the job.
Source: asoftclick.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Overleaf should be more popular than MiKTeX. It has been mentiond 60 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.

MiKTeX mentions (20)

  • Noob here- how to download Latex?
    Usually people recommend miktex for windows https://miktex.org/. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Need help with ACS bibtex style
    For two, you can resort to its analogue within the KOMA class/bundle. Depending on your locale, this may require some adjustments for the paper format (ISO A4 vs e.g., US letter), but this is quick click in general setup (in case you happen to use MiKTeX, one of the tabs asks you for the format typically used) and in the .tex preamble. Else, achemso works just fine, i.e. In the text you get the number-based... Source: over 2 years ago
  • Darkmode broken in Setzer – is it still maintained?
    Or, does the flatpack attempt an installation of a large portion/all of TeXLive? (Aiming for a more granular approach, to fetch only the packages I really want [with optional, yet independent download of the documentation] was a major motivation to move to MikTeX (non-Docker) installation equally running from a a thumb drive, or in Linuxes. This was something in close to 100...200 MB in total as a starter... Source: over 2 years ago
  • Darkmode broken in Setzer – is it still maintained?
    On Xubuntu 22.04.1 LTS, I had no problem starting the editor, changing to dark mode, compiling (with pdfLaTeX by with MiXTeX). The suggestions equally show up, just as anticipated, too (screenphoto). The guide to set up an article worked like a charm. Source: over 2 years ago
  • LaTeX as a replacement for MS Word
    Texdoc comes with TeXLive only. With MiKTeX (which equally works well in Linux as in Windows, and from a thumb drive), you select the packages (or their documentation, or both) of interest for download. A double click opens the .pdf (screenshot). Source: over 2 years ago
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Overleaf mentions (60)

  • 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: almost 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: about 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: about 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: about 2 years ago
  • Laptop for academic use : programming, office apps and LaTeX.
    I find myself using my browser most of the time, I don't load any heavy website either. It's mostly YouTube, Overleaf, Mathcha, Quora, LinkedIn, Codechef, HackerRank, etc. Other than that sometimes I use heavy editors like Visual studio, PyCharm, etc. Source: about 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

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

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

LyX - LyX is a document processor.

Texmaker - Texmaker, free cross-platform latex editor

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

LaTeX.to - LaTeX to image converter

TeXmacs - GNU TeXmacs is a free wysiwyw (what you see is what you want) editing platform with special...