Overview

JianTeX brings source-based academic writing and PDF review together, then adds a browser route for working with collaborators. The desktop app keeps projects as ordinary local files and runs offline, while organizations can host the collaboration service inside their own intranet. That flexibility is useful for writers with different connectivity and privacy needs, though the alpha status makes it a less comfortable choice for anyone who needs a settled production tool.

Key features

Source editing and PDF navigation

The desktop editor handles both LaTeX and Typst, with syntax highlighting, code completion, and live preview. SyncTeX links the source and PDF in both directions, so a writer can move from a rendered passage to the relevant source and back while checking a paper. Support for Tectonic, Typst, LuaLaTeX, XeLaTeX, and pdflatex gives users several engine choices in one application. This is a source editor, not a visual editor, so it best fits people comfortable working with markup.

Templates and moving projects

More than 35 built-in templates include formats for NeurIPS, ICML, IEEE, Chinese theses, and résumés. Those starting points can save setup work for common academic and document formats. JianTeX can also import Overleaf projects by Git link or ZIP upload, and clone projects from Git URLs, which makes it easier to bring an existing repository-based workflow along.

Collaboration and version history

The online version supports real-time collaboration using CRDT, with collaborators’ cursors and selections visible. Automatic snapshots can be restored from a timeline, giving teams a way to recover earlier project states. Version history can sync with self-hosted Gitea or GitLab servers. The combination is useful for teams that want collaborative editing while keeping a Git-based record; offline desktop writing alone does not provide that shared browser experience.

Privacy and access

Self-hosting is aimed at teams that want data to remain within their internal network; in self-hosted deployments, collaboration content does not pass through third-party servers. The desktop app does not require registration, while the online version supports GitHub and Google OAuth sign-in. The English product page describes the code as MIT licensed, and the Chinese homepage describes JianTeX as free and open source.

Pricing

Free and open source — free. The plan includes the desktop app, online version, and self-hosted option. That makes JianTeX unusually flexible for a no-cost tool: users can choose local offline writing, browser collaboration, or organizational hosting without moving to a paid tier. The plan has no stated seat or project caps in the published plan, but the product is currently offered as version 0.1 alpha, and code signing and notarization are rolling out by platform.

Platforms

JianTeX is available for macOS, Windows, Linux, and web browsers, with a self-hosted deployment option. Desktop support across the three major operating systems matters for individuals who want offline files; the browser version is the route to real-time collaboration.

Who it's for

JianTeX is a strong fit for LaTeX or Typst writers who want offline desktop editing, PDF-source navigation, and the option to collaborate or host the service themselves. It is also worth considering for organizations that need collaboration content to stay on their intranet. Writers who need a visual editor, or who are reluctant to adopt alpha software, should look elsewhere.

Pros and cons

Pros: Offline desktop editing with ordinary local files avoids dependence on a network connection or account.
Pros: LaTeX and Typst support, multiple engines, and bidirectional SyncTeX cover a substantial source-to-PDF workflow in one editor.
Pros: Browser collaboration, timeline restores, Git imports, and self-hosting give teams several ways to work together and manage projects.
Cons: The 0.1 alpha release is an early-stage choice for work that depends on a mature, settled application.
Cons: The editor is not visual, so writers who prefer a graphical document editor may find its source-first approach a poor fit.

Alternatives

Compare LaTeX editors if you want to survey the broader category before choosing a workflow.

VerbTeX is a freemium choice across Android, iOS, macOS, web, and Windows; its free tier limits local and cloud projects, documents, and uploads.
TeXstudio is a free, GPL v2 editor for Windows, Linux, and macOS if a desktop LaTeX tool is the priority.
TeXposit is a free web option with unlimited projects and collaborators, an AI assistant, full version history, and no compile timeouts.
LyX is free GPL software for Linux, macOS, and Windows if you want to consider another desktop editor.
Oleafly is a free desktop app for Linux, macOS, and Windows; paid AI providers may charge separately for usage.
Texmaker is a free LaTeX editor for Linux, macOS, and Windows, but requires a separate LaTeX distribution.
Texpile is a free offline desktop editor for Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Overleaf is a web-based freemium option; its free plan allows one collaborator per project and unlimited projects.

Verdict

Choose JianTeX if you want free LaTeX and Typst editing that works offline, with a path to Git-connected collaboration or self-hosting. Its strongest reason to choose it is that breadth of workflow in one tool; its strongest reason to look elsewhere is the 0.1 alpha release, especially if your writing depends on a mature, stable application.

	JianTeX	Setzer
Free plan	Yes
Paid from	Free
Platforms	Linux, macOS, self-hosted, Web, Windows	Linux
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Editor type	hybrid	desktop
Real-time collaboration	Yes
Offline editing	Yes
Visual editor	No
Git integration	Yes
Supported platforms	macOS, Windows, Linux, web browser	Linux

JianTeX vs Setzer

JianTeX

Setzer