Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Texmaker VS Underleaf

Compare Texmaker VS Underleaf and see what are their differences

Texmaker logo Texmaker

Texmaker, free cross-platform latex editor

Underleaf logo Underleaf

Enhance your academic writing and save hours with Underleaf's AI-powered LaTeX tools.
  • Texmaker Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-21
  • Underleaf PDF to LaTeX conversions in seconds
    PDF to LaTeX conversions in seconds //
    2025-12-29
  • Underleaf Convert diagrams to TikZ code in a click
    Convert diagrams to TikZ code in a click //
    2025-12-29

Underleaf is an AI-powered workspace built for researchers, students, and technical writers who work in LaTeX. It helps you move faster from idea to polished document by turning messy inputs into clean, structured LaTeX - without breaking your workflow.

With Underleaf, you can:

  • Convert PDFs to LaTeX (papers, notes, scans)
  • Convert handwritten notes to LaTeX
  • Generate and refine math equations, tables, and LaTeX formatting
  • Create TikZ diagrams from images or natural language descriptions
  • Edit, rewrite, and improve clarity while preserving LaTeX structure
  • Use the Overleaf AI Chrome extension to bring AI assistance directly into your LaTeX editor

Texmaker features and specs

  • Cross-platform
    Texmaker is available for multiple operating systems including Windows, MacOS, and Linux, ensuring broad accessibility.
  • Integrated PDF Viewer
    Texmaker comes with a built-in PDF viewer, allowing users to preview their work without needing external software.
  • Auto-completion
    The software includes auto-completion for LaTeX commands which speeds up the writing process and reduces errors.
  • User-friendly Interface
    Texmaker offers a clean and intuitive user interface, making it easier for both beginners and advanced users to navigate.
  • Syntax Highlighting
    The editor supports syntax highlighting, making it easier to read and edit LaTeX documents by visually distinguishing different elements.
  • Integrated Spell Checker
    Texmaker features an integrated spell checker, helping users catch and correct spelling errors in their documents.
  • LaTeX Error Finder
    The software includes a LaTeX error finder which helps in debugging documents by pinpointing syntax errors.

Possible disadvantages of Texmaker

  • Steeper Learning Curve
    Texmaker might have a steeper learning curve for users who are not familiar with LaTeX or similar typesetting systems.
  • Limited Customization
    Compared to some other LaTeX editors, Texmaker offers fewer options for customization of its interface and features.
  • Dependency on MiKTeX/TeXLive
    Texmaker requires an external LaTeX distribution like MiKTeX or TeXLive, which needs to be installed separately.
  • Basic Git Integration
    The Git integration in Texmaker is relatively basic and may not meet the needs of advanced users requiring robust version control features.
  • Performance Issues with Large Documents
    Users have reported that Texmaker can become sluggish when working with very large documents or complex projects.

Underleaf features and specs

  • PDF to LaTeX
    Convert PDFs (papers, notes, scanned documents) into clean, editable LaTeX with high accuracy.
  • Handwritten Notes to LaTeX
    Transform handwritten math and notes into fully formatted LaTeX code.
  • Math & Equation Generation
    Generate, edit, and refine mathematical equations with proper LaTeX syntax.
  • LaTeX Editing & Refinement
    Rewrite, clean up, and improve LaTeX while preserving structure and formatting.
  • TikZ Diagram Generation
    Create TikZ diagrams from text descriptions or images.
  • Overleaf Integration
    Use Underleaf directly inside Overleaf with a browser extension for seamless AI-assisted editing.

Analysis of Texmaker

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Texmaker is generally considered a good option for both beginners and experienced users who need a reliable LaTeX editor. Its balance of simplicity and advanced features makes it a versatile tool for various types of LaTeX projects.

Why this product is good

  • Texmaker is a popular open-source LaTeX editor known for its ease of use and comprehensive feature set. It offers a user-friendly interface and integrates several useful tools, such as a built-in PDF viewer, spell checker, and LaTeX-to-PDF conversion with one click. It's also cross-platform, making it suitable for users on different operating systems. The editor provides syntax highlighting, auto-completion, and an integrated error checker, which helps users efficiently create and edit LaTeX documents.

Recommended for

  • Students and educators needing to write academic papers or reports.
  • Researchers preparing documents with complex formatting and equations.
  • Individuals looking for a LaTeX editor that is free and open-source.
  • Users who require a cross-platform solution for LaTeX editing.

Analysis of Underleaf

Overall verdict

  • Underleaf.ai appears to be a niche AI-powered writing/document tool, likely aimed at streamlining LaTeX or academic/technical writing workflows, though independent reviews and widespread user feedback are limited, making it hard to fully verify its effectiveness and reliability.

Why this product is good

  • Offers AI-assisted features that can speed up document creation and editing
  • Targets a specific niche (likely LaTeX or academic writing) that many general tools don't address well
  • May provide templates or automation for technical formatting, saving users time
  • Likely has a modern, user-friendly interface designed for efficiency

Recommended for

  • Students and researchers who frequently write academic papers
  • Professionals working with LaTeX or technical documentation
  • Users seeking AI assistance for structured or formal writing tasks
  • Early adopters willing to try newer, less-established AI writing tools

Texmaker videos

How to Get Started with Latex on Windows 10 Texmaker MiKTeX

Underleaf videos

A review of Underleaf.ai, an image-to-math converter #math #latex #mathequations #ai

More videos:

  • Review - Underleaf Review-Was This REALLY Of VALUE At ALL Or NOT ??See(Check Before use)
  • Review - Underleaf | Review | Frog Tree Games | Initial Impressions

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Texmaker and Underleaf)
Text Editors
86 86%
14% 14
Academic Writing
0 0%
100% 100
Writing
100 100%
0% 0
Education
0 0%
100% 100

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing Texmaker and Underleaf.

What makes your product unique?

Underleaf's answer:

Underleaf is built specifically for people who write in LaTeX. Unlike generic AI writing tools, it understands mathematical structure, equations, and academic formatting. It can convert PDFs and handwritten notes directly into clean LaTeX, generate TikZ diagrams, and help refine technical writing - all while preserving document structure. Itโ€™s designed to feel like a natural extension of your LaTeX workflow, not a replacement for it.

Why should a person choose your product over its competitors?

Underleaf's answer:

Most tools treat LaTeX as plain text. Underleaf treats it as a first-class language. Itโ€™s purpose-built for researchers, students, and technical professionals who care about correctness, structure, and reproducibility. With deep support for equations, diagrams, and academic formatting - plus seamless Overleaf integration - Underleaf saves hours without compromising precision or control.

How would you describe the primary audience of your product?

Underleaf's answer:

Underleaf is built for professors, researchers, graduate students, and technical professionals who regularly write in LaTeX. This includes people in mathematics, physics, engineering, computer science, and related fields who want to move faster without sacrificing rigor or formatting quality.

What's the story behind your product?

Underleaf's answer:

Underleaf was created out of firsthand frustration with how slow and manual academic writing can be. After years of writing papers, notes, and technical documents in LaTeX, the goal became clear: remove the friction without breaking the workflow researchers rely on. Underleaf started as a personal productivity tool and grew into a platform that helps thousands of academics write faster, cleaner, and with more focus on ideas instead of syntax.

User comments

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Reviews

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

Texmaker Reviews

14 BEST LaTeX Editor for Mac & Windows in 2022
TeXmaker is a document editor that supports Unicode, auto code completion, and more. This application has an integrated PDF viewer. It offers a structure view for fast navigation.
Source: www.guru99.com
12 Best LaTeX Editors You Should Use
All warnings and errors are displayed to let the user take the needed action regarding the same. Parts/sections of your documents could be easily folded/unfolded using TeXmaker. This tool is also great for creating a structured Bibliography section of your document. Keyboard short-cuts are abundant for TeXmaker and it makes the overall experience with this tool pretty...
Source: beebom.com
Which LaTeX Editor is Best for Windows?
TeXmaker is another free LaTeX editor for Windows. Itโ€™s simple to use, focusing more on providing a great user experience than adding additional features. TeXmaker is an excellent alternative to many of the top LaTeX editors. Itโ€™s simple to use, completely free, and cross-platform.
Source: asoftclick.com

Underleaf Reviews

We have no reviews of Underleaf yet.
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Texmaker and Underleaf, 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.

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

Bibby AI - The AI LaTeX editor for researchers. Smart citations, AI writing assistant, table generation, paper review, and real-time collaboration.

LyX - LyX is a document processor.

Accessibility Checker Pro - WordPress accessibility auditing & WCAG testing plugin

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