The best tools for working with TEX files

How do you work with .tex files without getting lost in complex commands, macros, and tags?

Here is an overview of the most commonly used tools for writing, compiling, converting and translating LaTeX documents. Spoiler: we don't like all of them, but it is good to know them.

What is a TEX file (and why is it still relevant)

.tex files are text files written in the LaTeX language, a typesetting system designed to create documents with rigorous structure and professional graphic rendering. It’s most widely used in academic, scientific and technical fields, especially where there is a need for formulas, tables, citations, complex bibliographies.

If you are not sure what we are talking about, we suggest you start with this introductory article:

👉 An introduction to LaTeX

Managing TEX files: the challenges behind the scenes

Working with .tex files may seem simple, at least until you start writing collaboratively or on different platforms. That is where the real difficulties begin.

Common problems

• Compatibility: not all systems have the same versions of LaTeX or the same packages. What compiles on one computer may not compile on another.
• Dependencies: many LaTeX projects require specific configuration, with external packages, scripts and custom styles. If something is missing, the document will not be generated.
• Unreadable code: in complex projects, the .tex source becomes a jungle of commands, cross-references, and custom macros, difficult to navigate for those who have not written it.
• Collaboration: if multiple people edit the same file without using a versioning system (such as Git), overwrites and conflicts are guaranteed.
• Translation: separating the content to be translated from the markup is complicated. You need a tool that does not break the structure and translate commands by mistake.

Why you need specialized tools to work with LaTeX

To avoid these problems, it is essential to use tools designed to manage each stage of the workflow with .tex files:

• A good LaTeX editor helps with error-free writing, suggests commands, completes tags, and flags incorrect syntax in real time.
• A versioning system enables teamwork without losing pieces.
• Converters (such as Pandoc or LaTeX2HTML) transform the source into more accessible formats, without the need to recreate the layout by hand.
• Translation tools (such as OmegaT or Tortoise Tagger) allow the text to be translated while keeping the structure of the document intact.

In short: LaTeX works great, but only if you treat it with respect.

Using the right tools is not a nerdy quirk: is a necessary condition for working professionally and without wasting hours hunting for compilation errors.

TEX editor: writing LaTeX code without going crazy

Overleaf

Freemium online editor, popular in universities.
✅ Pros: real-time collaboration, automatic saving, project management, continuous compiling. ❌ Cons: inflexible interface, limited customization, not open source.

It’s great for getting started or if you are working in a team, but less suitable for complex projects or advanced users. It supports Git (although with some limitations), has good bibliography management (BibTeX and BibLaTeX), and integrates several LaTeX distributions (TeX Live, LuaLaTeX...).

→ https://www.overleaf.com/

TeXstudio

Open source desktop editor, available for Windows, Linux and macOS.
✅ Syntax highlighting, automatic command suggestion, spell check, built-in preview, cross-reference handling, automatic compilation, script and macro support. Perfect for those who want a robust and customizable environment.

→ https://www.texstudio.org/

TeXworks

Simple and lightweight, great for novice users or those with minimal projects.
✅ Essential, yet clean and functional interface. ❌ Lack of advanced features present in TeXstudio.

→ https://www.tug.org/texworks/

TeXmaker

Similar to TeXstudio (from which it has since evolved), with built-in PDF viewer support, UTF-8 encoding, multilingual support, and configurable keyboard shortcuts. → http://www.xm1math.net/texmaker/

Other editors

• Kile (Linux) → ideal for KDE environments.
• WinEdt (Windows) → not free, but very powerful.
• Gummi → minimalist, lightweight, live preview, perfect for students.

TEX compilers: from raw text to formatted PDF

To generate the final document (usually in PDF), a compiler is needed. These are the main ones:

TeX Live

✅ Comprehensive, cross-platform distribution (Windows, macOS, Linux). It includes everything: LaTeX, XeLaTeX, LuaLaTeX, CTAN packages. It’s the de facto standard. → https://www.tug.org/texlive/

MiKTeX

✅ Lightweight alternative designed for Windows. It allows you to download missing packages “on the fly.” → https://miktex.org/

XeTeX / LuaTeX

✅ They support Unicode natively and system OpenType/TrueType fonts. Ideal for those working with non-Latin languages or precision publishing projects.

Conversion: from .tex to other formats

Pandoc

A very powerful converter: it transforms .tex files into HTML, DOCX, EPUB, Markdown, PDF, and vice versa. ✅ Useful for publishing online, creating eBooks, or providing accessible versions of documents. → https://pandoc.org/

LaTeX2HTML

A bit dated but still valid if you need to convert to HTML while keeping formulas. → https://www.latex2html.org/

TeX4ht

Similar to LaTeX2HTML, but with more options and better handling of MathML and CSS. → https://tug.org/applications/TeX4ht/

Translating LaTeX files: pay attention to commands!

.tex files are not just text to be translated: they contain formatting commands, labels, macros, and special codes. Whatever tool you use, it must recognize and protect these tags so as not to break the document.

Full discussion here: 👉 How to translate LaTeX files

OmegaT

✅ Free, open source, cross-platform. With regex or Okapi filters, one can segment only the actual content to be translated. ✅ It supports glossaries, translation memories, built-in QA. → https://omegat.org/

Custom regex filters

For experienced users. ✅ They allow the creation of ad hoc rules to filter only “useful” text. ❌ High risk of errors if you do not test the filter well.

Versioning: Git, always Git

Using Git with .tex files saves your life. ✅ It keeps track of changes, allows you to work in teams, undo errors, manage branches and revisions. ✅ It works great in tandem with Overleaf or local editors.

Frequently asked questions