Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

TeXstudio VS TeXmacs

Compare TeXstudio VS TeXmacs and see what are their differences

TeXstudio logo TeXstudio

TeXstudio is an integrated environment for writing LaTeX documents.

TeXmacs logo TeXmacs

GNU TeXmacs is a free wysiwyw (what you see is what you want) editing platform with special...
  • TeXstudio Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-09-29
  • TeXmacs Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-12

TeXstudio features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    TeXstudio provides a user-friendly graphical interface, making it easier for users to write, compile, and manage LaTeX documents without the need for extensive command-line knowledge.
  • Built-in PDF Viewer
    TeXstudio comes with an integrated PDF viewer with synctex support, enabling users to preview the compiled document and quickly jump between the source code and the PDF output.
  • Syntax Highlighting
    The editor supports syntax highlighting which helps in better readability and easier detection of errors in LaTeX code.
  • Auto-Completion
    TeXstudio offers auto-completion for LaTeX commands, references, and bibliography entries, which speeds up the writing process and reduces the likelihood of errors.
  • Cross-Platform
    TeXstudio is available for multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, allowing for a consistent experience across different platforms.
  • Customizability
    The editor allows users to customize various aspects, such as shortcuts, build tools, and the appearance, to fit their workflow and preferences.
  • Integrated Development Tools
    TeXstudio includes various development tools such as a spell checker, grammar checker, and code folding, which enhance the document editing and reviewing process.
  • Open Source
    TeXstudio is open-source software, meaning it is free to use and can be modified by users to better suit their needs.

Possible disadvantages of TeXstudio

  • Learning Curve
    Despite its user-friendly interface, new users may still face a learning curve when transitioning from word processors to a LaTeX-based editor due to the complexity of LaTeX syntax.
  • Performance
    On very large documents or projects, TeXstudio may experience lag or slower performance, particularly on less powerful hardware.
  • Limited WYSIWYG Features
    TeXstudio is not a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editor; users must compile the document to see the final output, which can be a disadvantage for those who prefer real-time visual feedback.
  • Dependency on LaTeX Distribution
    TeXstudio depends on having a LaTeX distribution (like TeX Live or MiKTeX) installed separately, which adds an extra step for setup and configuration.
  • Plugin Ecosystem
    TeXstudio's plugin ecosystem is not as extensive as that of other editors, potentially limiting the availability of additional features or specialized tools.
  • Documentation
    While TeXstudio has documentation, it may not be as comprehensive or user-friendly as some commercial alternatives, potentially making it harder for new users to find help.

TeXmacs features and specs

  • WYSIWYG Interface
    TeXmacs offers a What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG) interface, allowing users to see the final output while editing, which can be more intuitive for creating complex documents compared to plain text markup.
  • Scientific Editing
    It is designed for technical and scientific documentation, providing robust support for mathematical formulae, embedded graphics, and other scientific content.
  • Integrated Environment
    TeXmacs integrates computing sessions with several computer algebra systems, such as Maxima, Octave, and R, providing a powerful interface for technical computing.
  • Extensibility
    It supports custom scripts in Scheme, enabling users to extend its functionality and customize it to fit specific needs.
  • Cross-Platform
    TeXmacs is available on multiple platforms, including Linux, macOS, and Windows, making it accessible to a wide range of users.

Possible disadvantages of TeXmacs

  • Learning Curve
    As a specialized tool, TeXmacs can have a steep learning curve for new users who are not familiar with its interface or features.
  • Limited Community
    Compared to other platforms like LaTeX, TeXmacs has a smaller user community, which might limit the availability of online resources and community support.
  • Integration Issues
    While TeXmacs integrates with other software, compatibility issues might arise with certain platforms and external tools, affecting workflow efficiency.
  • Less Popular
    TeXmacs is less widely adopted than similar tools like LaTeX, which may impact collaboration if peers are not familiar with it.
  • Presentation Capabilities
    While capable of creating technical documents, its features for presentations are not as advanced as specialized tools like Beamer in LaTeX.

Analysis of TeXstudio

Overall verdict

  • TeXstudio is regarded as a solid choice for those looking for a comprehensive LaTeX editor. Its combination of features, ease of use, and community support makes it a reliable option for writing and managing LaTeX documents.

Why this product is good

  • TeXstudio is popular due to its rich feature set that caters to both beginners and advanced users of LaTeX. It offers features such as an integrated PDF viewer, auto-completion, reference checking, syntax highlighting, and a powerful spell checker. The software is open-source and benefits from an active community that contributes to its frequent updates and improvements.

Recommended for

    TeXstudio is particularly recommended for students, researchers, and professionals who need to create well-formatted academic papers, theses, and technical documents. Its features make it suitable for anyone who frequently works with LaTeX and needs a robust editor to streamline their workflow.

TeXstudio videos

Top 10 reasons to use TeXstudio Editor for Latex Documents HD

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How to write your first document in Latex / TeXstudio Free latex editor HD 2016

TeXmacs videos

Typing your first article with GNU TeXmacs

More videos:

  • Demo - Zotero TeXmacs integration screencast demo 2017 02 17
  • Demo - A quick tour of TeXmacs

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to TeXstudio and TeXmacs)
Writing
64 64%
36% 36
Writing Tools
63 63%
37% 37
Text Editors
76 76%
24% 24
LaTeX
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

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

TeXstudio Reviews

14 BEST LaTeX Editor for Mac & Windows in 2022
TeXStudio is IDE for creating LaTeX documents. This tool allows you to make changes to multiple positions at the same time. It can complete the code automatically as you type.
Source: www.guru99.com
12 Best LaTeX Editors You Should Use
Some of its key features are Syntax Highlighting, reference checking, multi-cursors and more than 1000 mathematical formula included with it. Citations form a major component of scientific documents and TeXstudio provides support for Link overlay helps a lot in that. The Assistant feature of TeXstudio makes it easy for anyone without the complete knowledge of LaTeX editors...
Source: beebom.com
Which LaTeX Editor is Best for Windows?
The main advantage of TeXstudio is that it’s completely free and open-source. This makes it possible to use, test, and learn from the editor even if you have no money for a subscription.
Source: asoftclick.com

TeXmacs Reviews

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

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, TeXmacs seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 8 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.

TeXstudio mentions (0)

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

TeXmacs mentions (8)

  • Does exist a computer software where I can make my calculations by typing?
    If it's just for typing/editing mathematical formulas I can recommend TeXmacs which is free and very easy to use. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Alternative to LaTeX for writing exercise solutions?
    You can try TeXmacs. It's basically in between Word and LaTeX. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Suggest an editor like MS Word
    For equations I can recommend TeXmacs, it's very user-friendly as these "scientific editors" go. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Free program to type Wolfram Language -like syntax and get SVG or LaTeX output
    As for math typesetting, I use Texmacs, very user-friendly. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Scientific WorkPlace, Scientific Word, & Scientific Notebook
    The future is here: https://texmacs.org/tmweb/home/welcome.en.html Perhaps also why this company is looking for a buyer: http://www.bakoma-tex.com/menu/about.php. - Source: Hacker News / over 3 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing TeXstudio and TeXmacs, 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.

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

LyX - LyX is a document processor.

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

Texmaker - Texmaker, free cross-platform latex editor

Vim-LaTeX - Vim-LaTeX (aka LaTeX-suite) is a mature project which aims at bringing