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

Pick LyX if

• Fits if you write papers with lots of equations
• Works for people who already use LaTeX and want a friendlier editor

Look elsewhere if

• Not for you if you don't want to install a TeX system before it works
• Skip it if you want people editing live, because it has no collaboration
• Watch out: recent Macs don't ship Python, which the download page says LyX needs
• Watch out: Gatekeeper may block the first launch on a Mac

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

LyX

• A TeX system such as MiKTeX or MacTeX must be installed before LyX works for output on Windows and macOS.
• Recent macOS releases do not ship Python, which the download page says LyX needs.
• Mac Gatekeeper may block the first launch, and the download page explains the workaround.
• The site lists no web version and no real-time collaboration.

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.

LyX

Equation editor

Formulas are entered by point-and-click or LaTeX commands and show rendered on screen as you type.

Structured documents

Labels, cross-references, index and bibliography are built in, including BibTeX support, along with an outliner for moving whole chapters.

Document classes

Text classes cover letters, articles, books, slides and movie scripts, plus classes for AMS, APS and IEEE and some journals.

Graphics and tables

Many image formats are supported, with cropping, rotation and scaling, floating figures and interactive tables.

Languages

Right-to-left scripts and CJK are supported, and a document can mix several languages through Unicode.

Revision tracking and spellchecking

It offers track changes, a thesaurus and spellchecking through aspell or hunspell.

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.

LyX

• Free$0

  The full document processor for Windows, macOS and Linux. A TeX distribution is installed separately.

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.

LyX

No public discounts listed.

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.