CoCalc vs Overleaf (2026): which should you pick?

Pick CoCalc if

• Fits if you write LaTeX and run Jupyter notebooks in the same project
• Works for teachers who set up courses and student projects online

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you only want a LaTeX editor: it is a whole computing platform
• Tight if you stay free: shared resources and no network access
• Pricey if you need more power, as Pro is $150 a month and dedicated VMs cost extra
• Not for you if you want an app: only a browser version is listed

Pick Overleaf if

• Fits if you're writing a paper or thesis in LaTeX and want it all in the browser
• Works for co-authors who need to edit the same document at the same time

Look elsewhere if

• Pricey if you're not a student, at $199 a year for Standard or $25 paid monthly, and Pro is $399
• Tight if you're staying free with more than one co-author, as it's 1 collaborator per project and 24 hours of history
• Watch out: track changes, full history, reference sync and the Git, GitHub and Dropbox links all need a paid plan
• Watch out: the 7-day trial charges your card when it ends unless you cancel first
• Skip it if you don't write LaTeX or want a phone or desktop app, as it's a web app for LaTeX only

CoCalc

• It is a general computing platform, so LaTeX writing is one of many tools in it.
• Network access and larger resources need paid memberships; dedicated VMs are priced separately.
• CoCalc Plus and CoCalc Star are customer-operated versions; the pricing page says Star is free.

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.

CoCalc

Online LaTeX editor

Write LaTeX with collaboration, PDF preview, source synchronization, anchored discussions and edit history.

Jupyter notebooks

Collaborative notebooks with cell chat, TimeTravel history and local or remote kernels.

AI agents in projects

An integrated Codex agent works with project files, and Claude Code where a site enables it.

Linux terminal and software

Each project has a terminal, project storage and installed software such as Python, R, Julia and SageMath.

Course tools

Distribute assignments, collect work and grade notebooks or other project files.

Overleaf

Code Editor and Visual Editor

Write LaTeX in the Code Editor or switch to the Visual Editor to edit without writing code. A toolbar adds figures and tables and formats text.

Real-time collaboration

Several people can edit and comment on a shared project at the same time, invited by link or email. The Free plan allows 1 collaborator per project.

Track changes and history

Paid plans show collaborators' edits as tracked changes and keep the full project history to compare, label and restore. Free accounts see the previous 24 hours.

Templates

A library of free templates and example projects, from publisher-approved research article templates to CVs and business proposals.

Reference and Git integrations

Paid plans connect Zotero, Mendeley and ReadCube for references, add advanced reference search, and sync projects with Git, GitHub and Dropbox.

AI tools

An AI Assistant, LaTeX error help, table and equation generators and Writefull language feedback, capped at 5 uses a day on Free and Student and 10 on Standard.

CoCalc

• Free$0

  Basic shared resources to explore the platform.

• Basic$6

  per month, billed annually ($8 billed monthly)

  More shared resources and better shared hosts; for occasional light use.

• Standard$18

  per month, billed annually ($24 billed monthly)

  Higher priority, more backups, snapshots, projects and collaborators.

• Pro$150

  per month, billed annually ($200 billed monthly)

  Best shared resources, many projects running at once; for advanced users and researchers.

Overleaf

• Free$0

  Unlimited projects with 1 collaborator per project, a basic compile timeout and 5 AI uses a day.

• Student$8.25

  per month, billed yearly ($98); $13 billed monthly

  For students enrolled at a degree-granting institution: 10 collaborators per project, the AI Assistant and a 24x compile timeout.

• Standard$16.75

  per month, billed yearly ($199); $25 billed monthly

  10 collaborators per project, 10 AI uses a day, the AI Assistant and a 24x compile timeout, with premium features such as track changes and full history.

• Pro$33.25

  per month, billed yearly ($399); $45 billed monthly

  Unlimited collaborators per project and full access to every AI tool, subject to fair usage.

• OrganizationsCustom

  For 20 or more users: volume discounts of up to 35%, SSO, managed accounts, and optional on-premises or FedRAMP-authorized hosting.

CoCalc

• Annual discount

  Save 25% with annual billing

  The pricing page states a 25% saving on Basic, Standard and Pro when billed annually.

Overleaf

• Annual discount

  3+ months free with yearly billing

  The billing toggle advertises 3 or more months free on yearly billing: Standard is $199 a year against $25 a month, and Pro is $399 against $45 a month.

• Education

  Student plan at $98 a year

  Students at educational institutions, including graduate students, can buy the Student plan for $98 a year or $13 a month.

• Education

  40% academic discount on group plans

  Groups at degree-granting institutions can apply a 40% academic discount to Standard and Pro group licenses. It is meant for students or faculty using Overleaf mainly for teaching.

• Nonprofit

  Nonprofit discounts from 20 licenses

  Qualified nonprofits can get a discount on purchases of 20 licenses or more by contacting Overleaf's sales team.

• Other savings

  Group and volume discounts

  Group licenses on Standard and Pro save an extra 10%, and organizations with 20 or more users can save up to 35% on volume purchases.