The Kile Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Kile in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Kile
The Insider’s Guide
KDE's LaTeX editor with one-click compile and preview
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among writing tools, read from Kile’s own pages.
Made by KDE · checked Nov 13, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Kile’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Kile’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 13, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.6
GPA, above 76 of the 136 other writing tools we grade
Kile is a TeX and LaTeX editor from the KDE project. It adds auto-completion, document templates, a structure view, project handling and forward and inverse search. It is listed for Linux, Windows and other systems.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about Kile, taken from its own pages and our grades.
On Linux you may compile from source, and a TeX distribution has to be installed separately.
- 1
Best for a free LaTeX editor on Linux
Kile is a free LaTeX editor with one-click builds, completion and a structure view.
- 2
It is free
Kile has no paid plan at all.
- 3
It runs on 2 platforms
Linux and Windows.
- 4
One-click build
Compile, convert and view a document in a single action using a configurable build system.
- 5
Completion and templates
Auto-completion of LaTeX commands, with templates and wizards for new documents.
- 6
Structure view and projects
A list of chapters and sections lets you jump around; projects group related files and ease citations.
- 7
A 2.6 GPA, above 76 of 136
That is against the other writing tools we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
Kile is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
Kile at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- It is free
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- Windows, Linux
- Made by
- KDE
- Category
- Writing Tools
- Our grade
- 2.6 GPA, good
The report card
Best for a free LaTeX editor on Linux
Kile is a free LaTeX editor with one-click builds, completion and a structure view. The newest release, 3.0, is still labelled beta, the download page lists source and Windows builds only, and a TeX distribution is a separate install.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | Free to download and run, against a category median of $9.75 a month. |
| Free plan and trial | A | Free outright: no paid tier, limit or trial. |
| Features | C | One-click build, completion, templates, projects, forward and inverse search and QuickPreview. It does the LaTeX editing job fully, which is a smaller job than a full writing tool. |
| Ease of use | D | No store rating on record. On Linux you may compile from source, and a TeX distribution has to be installed separately. |
| Platforms and integrations | C | A computer program only, on Linux and Windows per the download page. The site also mentions Mac and BSD, which the download page does not list. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who Kile is for
- Fits if you write LaTeX on Linux and want build and preview in one window
- Works for people who already run a TeX distribution
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you want a stable release: 3.0 is still beta on the download page
- Not for you if you use a Mac, since the download page lists no Mac build
- Tight if you do not compile software: without a distribution package you build from source
- Too light for co-authors: no collaboration features are listed
- Watch out: it needs a TeX distribution installed separately
Good to know
Good for
- KDE and Linux users who write LaTeX locally
- People who want wizards and templates in a LaTeX editor
Worth knowing
- The newest release, 3.0, is still labeled beta on the download page.
- The site says it is available for Mac and BSD, but the download page lists only source and Windows builds.
- It needs a TeX distribution installed separately.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
Free
No paid plan at all
Kile is free to use.
Free outright: no paid tier, limit or trial.
Kile
$0
Free to download; source code and Windows builds are offered.
Read from kile.sourceforge.io on Nov 13, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
2
Places it runs: Windows and Linux
KDE's LaTeX editor with one-click compile and preview. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, works offline, templates, documents.
One-click build, completion, templates, projects, forward and inverse search and QuickPreview.
- One-click build
- Compile, convert and view a document in a single action using a configurable build system.
- Completion and templates
- Auto-completion of LaTeX commands, with templates and wizards for new documents.
- Structure view and projects
- A list of chapters and sections lets you jump around; projects group related files and ease citations.
- Forward and inverse search
- Jump from the viewer to the matching source line and back.
- QuickPreview
- Preview a selected part of a document without building the whole thing.
Where it runs
- Windows
- Linux
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
Kile is made by KDE.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
76/136
Other writing tools it is graded above
Kile's GPA of 2.6 is higher than 76 of the 136 other writing tools we grade, and level with 18.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 108 of 136) and worst on ease of use (D, above 0).
Kile has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 1.7 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 137 writing tools we grade, cut by the letter each got. Kile’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 89 of 136
- AFree plan and trialAbove 108 of 136
- CFeaturesAbove 2 of 136
- DEase of useAbove 0 of 136
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 7 of 136
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 107 writing tools. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Kile is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
Kile is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
What you could make
- Documents and templates: an app builder makes these well.
What you could not
- A real app for Windows and Linux. Something home-made would be a web page.
What this rests on. Kile’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
TeXworks, TeXShop, Overleaf and Typst
The 4 tools Kile is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.8GPA
TeXworks
Free
Simple cross-platform front end for writing TeX and LaTeX.
- Only TeXworks lists a macOS app.
- Kile also covers templates.
- 2.6GPA
TeXShop
Free
Free Mac editor and previewer for TeX and LaTeX documents.
- Only Kile lists Linux and Windows apps.
- Only TeXShop lists a macOS app.
- Kile also covers templates.
- 2.4GPA
Overleaf
Free plan · from $16.75/mo
Collaborative online LaTeX editor for papers and theses.
- Only Kile lists Linux and Windows apps.
- Only Overleaf lists a web app.
- Kile is open source, according to its own site.
- 3.2GPA
Typst
Free plan · from $7.99/mo
Markup-based typesetting system with a collaborative web app.
- Only Typst lists a web app.
- Only Typst lists a macOS app.
- Typst is self-hostable, according to its own site.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
12
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Kile free?
Yes. Kile is free to use.
How much does Kile cost?
Kile lists one plan. Kile: $0.
What platforms does Kile work on?
Kile is available on Linux and Windows.
Does Kile have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Kile is listed for Linux and Windows.
Does Kile have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Kile is listed for Linux and Windows.
Is Kile open source?
Yes. Kile is open source, according to its own site.
Does Kile work offline?
Yes, according to its own site. What works without a connection differs by plan and platform, so check the vendor's page for the detail.
Who makes Kile?
Kile is made by KDE.
What are the alternatives to Kile?
The closest alternatives to Kile in our directory are TeXworks, TeXShop, Overleaf and Typst.
How does Kile compare with other writing tools?
Kile's GPA of 2.6 is higher than 76 of the 136 other writing tools we grade, and level with 18.
Is Kile good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Kile A for value for money. Kile has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of Kile?
Kile is free, so making your own would save you nothing. What you could not make: A real app for Windows and Linux.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Kile’s own pages on Nov 13, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 13, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Kile's own pages on 13 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by KDE. Prices change, so check kile.sourceforge.io before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
7,721
Tools graded, in 95 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
7,721
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Kile, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/kile
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Kile: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 13, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/kile
Know someone choosing between writing tools?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/kile/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded writing tools after Kile, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Writing Tools Insider's GuideEvery one of the 137 writing tools we grade, compared
- FreeOffice TextMaker Insider's GuideFree word processor that opens and saves Microsoft Word files3.4 GPA
- Microsoft Word Insider's GuideWord processor sold with Microsoft 365, free in the browser3.4 GPA
- Apache OpenOffice Insider's GuideFree open-source office suite with the Writer word processor3.2 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Kile’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Kile is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by KDE. Prices and plans change: check kile.sourceforge.io before you buy.