Alternatives · Writing
Overleaf alternatives
Overleaf compared with 6 alternatives: Typst, Writefull, Paperpal, Google Docs, Microsoft Word and 1 more.
Overleaf has a free plan. Paid plans start at $16.75 per month, billed yearly at $199 (Standard); students from $8.25. 5 of the 6 alternatives are free or have a free plan. One more offers a free trial.
6 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| OverleafThis tool | Free plan · from $16.75/mo | Yes | Web |
| Typst | Free plan · from $7.99/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Writefull | Free plan · from $12.50/mo | Yes | Web |
| Paperpal | Free plan · from $12/mo | Yes | Web, Browser extension |
| Google Docs | Free plan · from $7/mo | Yes | Web, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| Microsoft Word | Free plan · from $9.99/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| Mellel | Free trial · from $69.99 one-time | Trial only | macOS, iOS |
How each one differs from Overleaf
- Free plan · from $7.99/mo
Typst
Markup-based typesetting system with a collaborative web app
- Typst starts at $7.99 per month, billed monthly ($79.99 billed yearly). Overleaf starts at $16.75 per month, billed yearly at $199 (Standard); students from $8.25.
- Only Typst lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
- Typst is open source, according to its own site.
- Typst also covers presentations.
Suits: Students and researchers who want an alternative to LaTeX
- Free plan · from $12.50/mo
Writefull
Academic language feedback inside Word and Overleaf
- Writefull starts at $12.50 per month, billed annually ($150). Overleaf starts at $16.75 per month, billed yearly at $199 (Standard); students from $8.25.
- Overleaf is self-hostable, according to its own site.
- Writefull also covers grammar & style.
- Overleaf also covers templates, citations and long-form writing.
Suits: Researchers and students writing papers or theses in English
- Free plan · from $12/mo
Paperpal
AI writing and checking assistant for academic papers
- Paperpal starts at $12 per month, billed annually ($144). Overleaf starts at $16.75 per month, billed yearly at $199 (Standard); students from $8.25.
- Only Paperpal lists a browser extension.
- Overleaf is self-hostable, according to its own site.
- Paperpal also covers research and grammar & style.
- Overleaf also covers templates and long-form writing.
Suits: Researchers preparing manuscripts for journal submission
- Free plan · from $7/mo
Google Docs
Browser-based word processor, free with a Google Account
- Google Docs starts at $7 per user / month with a 1-year commitment (Workspace Business Starter). Overleaf starts at $16.75 per month, billed yearly at $199 (Standard); students from $8.25.
- Only Google Docs lists iOS and Android apps.
- Only Google Docs lists a browser extension.
- Overleaf is self-hostable, according to its own site.
- Google Docs also covers documents.
Suits: People and teams who draft and review documents together in a browser
- Free plan · from $9.99/mo
Microsoft Word
Word processor sold with Microsoft 365, free in the browser
- Microsoft Word starts at $9.99 / month, or $99.99 / year (Microsoft 365 Personal). Overleaf starts at $16.75 per month, billed yearly at $199 (Standard); students from $8.25.
- Only Microsoft Word lists Windows, macOS, iOS and Android apps.
- Overleaf is self-hostable, according to its own site.
- Microsoft Word also covers dictation, documents and grammar & style.
- Overleaf also covers citations and long-form writing.
Suits: People who want a full desktop word processor on Windows or Mac
- Free trial · from $69.99 one-time
Mellel
Mac word processor for long academic and technical documents
- Mellel starts at $69.99 one-time for Mellel for Mac; iPad in-app purchases from $9.99. Overleaf starts at $16.75 per month, billed yearly at $199 (Standard); students from $8.25.
- Overleaf has a free plan. Mellel does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Mellel lists macOS and iOS apps.
- Only Overleaf lists a web app.
- Mellel can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Suits: Academics and students writing theses, papers and books on a Mac
Limits worth knowing in Overleaf
- The Free plan allows 1 collaborator per project and keeps only the previous 24 hours of history.
- Track changes, full history, reference-manager sync and the Git, GitHub and Dropbox integrations need a paid plan.
- Free accounts get a basic compile timeout; paid plans get 24 times as long for large or complex documents.
- Monthly billing costs more: Standard is $25 a month, against $199 for a year.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Overleaf?
The alternatives to Overleaf in this directory are Typst, Writefull, Paperpal, Google Docs, Microsoft Word and Mellel. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Overleaf.
Is there a free alternative to Overleaf?
Yes. Typst, Writefull, Paperpal, Google Docs and Microsoft Word have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which Overleaf alternatives work on Windows?
The Overleaf listing does not include a Windows app. Typst and Microsoft Word list one.
Which Overleaf alternatives work on macOS?
The Overleaf listing does not include a macOS app. Typst, Microsoft Word and Mellel list one.
Is there an open-source alternative to Overleaf?
Typst is described as open source on its own site.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 5, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.