Google Docs vs Overleaf

Google Docs

• People and teams who draft and review documents together in a browser
• Organizations that already pay for Google Workspace
• Collecting edits and comments from collaborators outside the company

Overleaf

• Researchers and students writing papers and theses in LaTeX
• Co-authors who need to edit the same LaTeX document at once
• Institutions that want LaTeX with SSO or on-premises hosting

Google Docs

• There is no standalone paid Docs plan; the business version comes only as part of Google Workspace, with Gmail, Drive and Meet.
• Gemini in Docs and eSignature are not in Business Starter; both start at Business Standard, $14 per user / month on a 1-year commitment.
• Offline editing on a computer works only in Chrome or Microsoft Edge with the Google Docs Offline extension installed.
• Google lists Docs for web browsers, Android, iPhone and iPad; no Windows or Mac desktop app is listed.

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.

Google Docs

Co-editing, comments and version history

Several people can edit one document at the same time, leave comments and assign action items. Earlier versions can be opened and restored, and sharing settings control who can view, comment or edit.

Smart chips and building blocks

Typing @ inserts people, files, calendar events and dropdown menus, or building blocks such as meeting notes, email drafts and review trackers.

Document tabs and pageless mode

A document can be split into tabs for each part of a project or report, and pageless mode removes page breaks for continuous writing.

Gemini in Docs

Drafts and restyles documents from prompts, drawing on a user's Drive, Gmail and Chat. Among Business editions it starts at Business Standard; Starter does not include it.

Word and PDF files

Microsoft Word documents can be edited directly without making a copy, or converted to Docs format. PDF files can be imported and worked on as well.

Offline editing

Documents can be opened, created and edited without a connection. On a computer this requires Chrome or Microsoft Edge with the Google Docs Offline extension.

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.

Google Docs

• Personal Google Account$0

  Create, edit and share documents in a browser or the mobile apps, with comments, version history and offline access.

• Business Starter$7

  per user / month, 1-year commitment ($8.40 flexible)

  Google Workspace with Docs and 30 GB of pooled storage per user. Gemini in Docs and eSignature are not included.

• Business Standard$14

  per user / month, 1-year commitment ($16.80 flexible)

  2 TB of pooled storage per user. The lowest Business edition with Gemini in Docs and eSignature with Docs and PDFs.

• Business Plus$22

  per user / month, 1-year commitment ($26.40 flexible)

  Everything in Standard with 5 TB of pooled storage per user, plus Vault, eDiscovery and advanced endpoint management.

• EnterpriseCustom

  No minimum or maximum user count, with data loss prevention, context-aware access and data regions; priced through Google sales.

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.

Google Docs

• Annual discount

  Save 16% with a 1-year commitment

  Business Starter is $7 per user per month on the Annual/Fixed-Term Plan against $8.40 on the Flexible Plan. Standard drops from $16.80 to $14 and Plus from $26.40 to $22.

• Nonprofit

  Google Workspace for Nonprofits at $0

  Eligible nonprofits get Google Workspace for Nonprofits at $0, or Business Standard at $3.50 and Business Plus at $6.16 per user per month on a 1-year commitment.

• Education

  Education Fundamentals at no charge

  Google Workspace for Education Fundamentals, which includes Docs, is available at no charge to qualifying institutions.

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.