The TeXShop Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about TeXShop 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.
TeXShop
The Insider’s Guide
Free Mac editor and previewer for TeX and LaTeX documents
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among writing tools, read from TeXShop’s own pages.
Made by Richard Koch · 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 TeXShop’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on TeXShop’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
TeXShop is a free Mac application for typesetting TeX and LaTeX documents. It was first released in July 2000 and is distributed under the GPL. The current version, 5.57, runs on both Intel and Apple silicon Macs.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about TeXShop, taken from its own pages and our grades.
- 1
Best for a free LaTeX editor on a Mac
TeXShop is a free LaTeX editor for macOS.
- 2
It is free
TeXShop has no paid plan at all.
- 3
It runs on macOS
macOS.
- 4
TeX and LaTeX editing
A Mac editor for TeX documents that works with the TeX Live distribution maintained by TUG and MacTeX.
- 5
Recent macOS support
Version 5.57, released 10/03/2025, runs on Intel and Arm Macs from High Sierra through Tahoe.
- 6
Older versions
Versions 4.79 and 4.44 are kept for older macOS releases, and 2.47 for 10.4 to 10.6.
- 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
TeXShop is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
TeXShop at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- It is free
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- macOS
- Made by
- Richard Koch, since 2000
- Category
- Writing Tools
- Our grade
- 2.6 GPA, good
The report card
Best for a free LaTeX editor on a Mac
TeXShop is a free LaTeX editor for macOS. It does not include TeX itself, so you install a TeX distribution next to it, it has no real-time collaboration, and it runs on nothing but a Mac.
| 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 | Does TeX and LaTeX editing fully, with documentation and extras. A smaller job than a full writing tool, and it needs a TeX distribution installed separately. |
| Ease of use | C | No store rating on record. You install TeX first and learn LaTeX. |
| Platforms and integrations | D | macOS only, for Intel and Arm from High Sierra through Tahoe. No other system, web or phone version. |
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 TeXShop is for
- Fits if you write LaTeX papers on a Mac
- Works for people who already have TeX Live installed
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you use Windows or Linux: it runs on macOS only
- Not for you if you want the TeX tools included, because a distribution such as TeX Live is a separate install
- Too light for co-authors: no real-time collaboration
- Watch out: older macOS versions need an older TeXShop release
Good to know
Good for
- Mac users who typeset papers or theses with a local TeX install
- Anyone who wants a free, GPL-licensed editor
Worth knowing
- It runs on macOS only.
- It needs a TeX distribution such as TeX Live installed separately.
- There is no built-in real-time collaboration.
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
TeXShop is free to use.
Free outright: no paid tier, limit or trial.
TeXShop
$0
Free under the GPLv2 license.
Read from pages.uoregon.edu on Nov 13, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
1
Place it runs: macOS
Free Mac editor and previewer for TeX and LaTeX documents. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, works offline, documents.
Does TeX and LaTeX editing fully, with documentation and extras.
- TeX and LaTeX editing
- A Mac editor for TeX documents that works with the TeX Live distribution maintained by TUG and MacTeX.
- Recent macOS support
- Version 5.57, released 10/03/2025, runs on Intel and Arm Macs from High Sierra through Tahoe.
- Older versions
- Versions 4.79 and 4.44 are kept for older macOS releases, and 2.47 for 10.4 to 10.6.
- Documentation and extras
- The site carries documentation, translations, history and an extras section.
Where it runs
- macOS
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
TeXShop is made by Richard Koch, and has been around since 2000.
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
TeXShop'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 platforms and integrations (D, above 0).
TeXShop 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. TeXShop’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 89 of 136
- AFree plan and trialAbove 108 of 136
- CFeaturesAbove 2 of 136
- CEase of useAbove 7 of 136
- DPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 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. TeXShop 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
TeXShop 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
- A real app for macOS. Something home-made would be a web page.
What this rests on. TeXShop’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, Kile, Overleaf and Typst
The 4 tools TeXShop 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 Windows and Linux apps.
- 2.6GPA
Kile
Free
KDE's LaTeX editor with one-click compile and preview.
- Only TeXShop lists a macOS app.
- Only Kile lists Linux and Windows apps.
- Kile also covers templates.
- 2.4GPA
Overleaf
Free plan · from $16.75/mo
Collaborative online LaTeX editor for papers and theses.
- Only TeXShop lists a macOS app.
- Only Overleaf lists a web app.
- TeXShop 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 Windows and Linux apps.
- 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 TeXShop free?
Yes. TeXShop is free to use.
How much does TeXShop cost?
TeXShop lists one plan. TeXShop: $0.
What platforms does TeXShop work on?
TeXShop is available on macOS.
Does TeXShop have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. TeXShop is listed for macOS.
Does TeXShop have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. TeXShop is listed for macOS.
Is TeXShop open source?
Yes. TeXShop is open source, according to its own site.
Does TeXShop 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 TeXShop?
TeXShop is made by Richard Koch. It dates from 2000.
What are the alternatives to TeXShop?
The closest alternatives to TeXShop in our directory are TeXworks, Kile, Overleaf and Typst.
How does TeXShop compare with other writing tools?
TeXShop's GPA of 2.6 is higher than 76 of the 136 other writing tools we grade, and level with 18.
Is TeXShop good value for money?
ToolGPA grades TeXShop A for value for money. TeXShop has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of TeXShop?
TeXShop is free, so making your own would save you nothing. What you could not make: A real app for macOS.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from TeXShop’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 TeXShop'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 Richard Koch. Prices change, so check pages.uoregon.edu 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
- TeXShop, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/texshop
- 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, "TeXShop: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 13, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/texshop
Know someone choosing between writing tools?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/texshop/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded writing tools after TeXShop, 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 TeXShop’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. TeXShop is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Richard Koch. Prices and plans change: check pages.uoregon.edu before you buy.