Texmaker review (2026): is it any good?
Free LaTeX editor for Windows, macOS and Linux
Texmaker report card
Good · out of 4.0 · graded Nov 12, 2026
Best for a free LaTeX editor with a built-in PDF viewer
Texmaker is a free LaTeX editor for Windows, Mac and Linux with a built-in PDF viewer and one-click compiling. It's only the editor, so you install a LaTeX distribution yourself. It lists no collaboration or cloud storage, and Intel Macs get an older build.
Who Texmaker is for
- Fits if you write LaTeX papers or theses on your own computer
- Works for people who want an editor that has been around since 2003
Who Texmaker is not for
- Skip it if you want to write with others live, as no collaboration is listed
- Not for you if installing TeX Live or MiKTeX sounds like a chore, because it comes separately
- Watch out: Intel Macs are offered only the older 5.1.4 package
- Too light for tablets and browsers, with only desktop builds
Why Texmaker gets a 2.6
Five grades, each with its reason. The GPA is their average: an A is 4 points, an F is none.
- AValue for moneyFree under the GPL, with no account. A program anyone can download and run.
- AFree plan and trialThe whole editor is free, with no account and no caps.
- CFeaturesEditor, PDF viewer, completion, structure view and wizards. The listing says no collaboration and no cloud storage.
- DEase of useNeeds a separate LaTeX distribution, and Mac users who see a damaged-app warning are told to run a terminal command. No store rating on record.
- CPlatforms and integrationsWindows, Mac and Linux only, no web or phone versions.
What these grades rest on. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Texmaker's own pages on 12 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews. How we review and grade.
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<a href="https://toolgpa.com/tools/texmaker#review"><img src="https://toolgpa.com/badge/texmaker.svg" alt="Texmaker: 2.6 GPA on ToolGPA" width="196" height="56"></a>Where Texmaker stands among writing tools
Texmaker's GPA of 2.6 is higher than 52 of the 100 other writing tools we grade, and level with 14.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 81 of 100) and worst on ease of use (D, above 0).
Texmaker 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 101 writing tools we grade, cut by the letter each got. Texmaker’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 65 of 100, level with 35
- AFree plan and trialAbove 81 of 100, level with 19
- CFeaturesAbove 0 of 100, level with 63
- DEase of useAbove 0 of 100, level with 4
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 5 of 100, level with 45
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 79 writing tools. Further left costs less, and higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Point at a dot to see which tool it is.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
Keep Texmaker, or make your own?
Keep it
Texmaker is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
What you could make
- Documents: an app builder makes this well.
What you could not
- Apps for macOS, Windows and Linux that stay in step with each other.
What this rests on. Texmaker’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.
What is Texmaker?
Texmaker is a desktop editor for writing LaTeX documents. It puts a code editor, a built-in PDF viewer, a structure view and one-click compilation in a single window. It is released under the GPL license and costs nothing.
Worth knowing
- It is only an editor: a LaTeX distribution (TeX Live or MiKTeX on Windows, TeX Live on Linux, MacTeX on Mac) has to be installed separately.
- The macOS build is for Apple silicon on macOS 11 or later; Intel Macs are offered only an older 5.1.4 package.
- The download page tells Mac users who see a damaged-app warning to run a terminal command to clear the quarantine flag.
- The site lists no real-time collaboration or cloud storage.
Key features
- Integrated PDF viewer
- A built-in viewer with continuous scrolling and SyncTeX support jumps between the source and the compiled page.
- One-click compilation
- Predefined Quick build commands compile the document, and errors and warnings from the log file link back to the matching lines.
- Code completion and folding
- Common LaTeX commands are inserted while typing, and parts, chapters, sections and environments can be collapsed.
- Structure view and master mode
- The structure view updates as you type, and master mode lets a document split across several files be built from one.
- Symbols, wizards and snippets
- 370 mathematical symbols insert in one click, wizards generate quick documents, Beamer presentations and tables, and snippets can use keyboard triggers.
- Search tools
- Regular-expression search and replace, and a find-in-folders search across all LaTeX files in a directory and its subfolders.
Texmaker pricing
As of Nov 12, 2026, Texmaker is free to use.
- Starts at
- Free
- Free plan
- The whole editor is free to download and use under the GPL license, with no account or subscription.
- Free trial
- None listed
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | The complete editor for Windows, macOS and Linux. You also install a separate LaTeX distribution. |
Read from xm1math.net on Nov 12, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Texmaker before you buy.
Texmaker alternatives
- Texmaker vs LyX
Free
- Texmaker vs Overleaf
Free plan · from $16.75/mo
- Texmaker vs Typst
Free plan · from $7.99/mo
Common questions
Does Texmaker have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. Texmaker is listed for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Does Texmaker have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. Texmaker is listed for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Is Texmaker open source?
Yes. Texmaker is open source, according to its own site.
Does Texmaker 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.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Nov 12, 2026.