If you're already using Linux extensively, the best editor for LaTeX is probably your preferred text editor. By which I mean to say, of course, that you should be using Emacs for everything, and if you're one of those peculiar vi[m] users you should get yourself a proper operating system^W^Wtext editor.

Screenshots

Description

Texpad is a LaTeX editor designed for straightforward navigation of projects of any size. When Texpad opens a document it scans through it, looking for LaTeX structure commands and any included files, then it presents you with an outline view with which you can swiftly navigate the entire project.
Texpad replaces LaTeX's obscure console output with a table of typesetting errors. Clicking on these errors will direct you to the offending line in the LaTeX source.
Texpad's elegant single window design saves you from the clutter of windows. In even the largest projects all files are accessible from the outline view to the left of the editor. This one-window design works especially well with Lion's fullscreen mode.
Features
-Retina compatibility
-Simple single window design
-Swiftly navigate through even the largest projects with the Outline view.
-Finding and understanding errors is quicker than ever with Texpad's error panel.
-It autocompletes commands, and autofills ref{...} or cite{...} commands with any labels found in either the projects LaTeX or BibTeX source files.
-Support for XeLaTeX, LaTeX, pdfLaTeX and pLaTeX typesetting engines
-Supports Lion's Versions feature
Some features of Texpad, specifically LaTeX typesetting and BibTeX, require an underlying TeX distribution. One may be downloaded free of charge from the MacTeX website, and a link to do so is included in Texpad. Without a TeX distribution Texpad will operate only in editor mode.
If you have any questions, complaints or comments, do not hesitate to email us at support@vallettaventures.com.

What’s New

-bugfix to undo
-bugfix to pstricks with xelatex
-suppressed create file suggestions when there are hashes in the filename

Nice Start but the Text Editor is Terrible

This is a really nice app for light latex writing and the built-in PDF viewer is great. The ability to click on typesetting errors and have it take you to the offending latex source is handy but Emacs/Aquamacs can do that too. But if you feel like a change from Aquamacs and Auctex, this is a fun alternative. However, the editor is really bad; it's genuinely terrible. Unbelievably, it has no wordwrap, so your document quickly becomes a complete mess as you edit it. The most important thing in an editor is the editor. As a latex platform, this has some great bells and whistles -- the document outline pane is awesome -- but it's missing the most basic editor functions. The author needs to focus on what's required before adding extra features. Until he does, this is a great tool for short documents but you can't do serious writing without having a real text editor. (At the very least, you must also add custom key-bindings, with standard ones, e.g., Emacs, predefined…)

Automatic typesetter? I went back to the CLI

This might be a bug in the latest release, because I think this used to work, but whether I use the “automatic” or “normal” typesetter, the result is the same: list of figures is blank and it complains it can’t find any of the things I’m citing so puts question marks in where the citations are and leaves a blank bibliography. I tried running the bibtex typesetter command inside TexPad. I ran that and then ran automatic, or that and then normal, and still nothing. I just went to the CLI and did a string of pdflatex / bibtex / pdflatex / pdflatex, and it generated exactly what I wanted. I don’t know why TexPad can’t seem to run the right commands.
There is nothing about this program that makes it better than vim + bash. When something claims to be a LaTeX editor, I expect it to have some templating functions, like being able to drop in a fill-in-the-blank template for a book source or adding a figure. I’m installing Texmaker. It has those kinds of features, and the preferences menu lets you specify that yes, you want the standard pdflatex / bibtex / pdflatex (x2) string of commands.

Interface problems

I really *wanted* to like Texpad -- but I've had enough problems with its interface that I've decided to go back to TeXShop.
Ironically, the previous reviewers' complaints aren't problems for me at all. I prefer Texpad's soft line-wrapping to Emacs's hard line-wrapping, I don't want automatic typesetting, and I can use Keyboard Maestro to create keyboard shortcuts. For me, the worst problems are the following:
(1) In almost all other Mac apps, the way to focus on a pane is to click on it -- but in Texpad, clicking on the PDF pane moves the focus to the LaTeX pane. I've lost count of the number of times I've corrupted a LaTeX source file by clicking on the PDF pane and hitting the spacebar in an attempt to see the next page of the PDF output.
(2) Unlike most modern Mac apps for text-editing, Texpad's Edit menu doesn't gray-out the 'Undo' and 'Redo' commands when they're inapplicable, and when they're applicable it doesn't tell what they're to undo or redo.
(3) Texpad only allows one window per document. If I want to see the contents of two LaTeX source files simultaneously, I can open them in two windows *except* when they are part of the same LaTeX document (e.g., two chapters of a book), in which case I can't. This would be much less of a problem if there were a way to split the LaTeX pane into two views, but there isn't.

Information

OS X 10.6 or later

Supports

• Family Sharing

  With Family Sharing set up, up to six family members can use this app.

Markdown provides a convenient way to add formatting to a plain text document, while leaving it in plain text. It’s simpler and faster than adding HTML markup, and doesn’t have the lock-in of using something like Microsoft Word.

The syntax was created by John Gruber way back in 2004, and seems to become more widely used every year, especially in blogs and forums. It’s an easy and efficient way to create online content, and has a number of benefits for writers and bloggers.

Because Markdown is just plain text, you can create it with any text editor. That’s part of its appeal. But using an editor designed for writing in Markdown has a lot of advantages, depending on your needs.

Here are some features you might expect to find in a Markdown editor:

• Syntax highlighting and a preview pane to show you how your final document will look.
• Familiar keyboard shortcuts, like command-B for bold.
• Export and conversion features that easily transform your document from Markdown to HTML, PDF, DOCX or a number of other formats. Some Markdown editors can publish directly to WordPress, Medium and more.
• A distraction-free mode that takes advantage of features like full-screen editing, dark mode and typewriter mode.
• Features that appeal to writers, including word count, readability scores, and versions.
• A document library to organize your content and sync between devices. Some editors have an iOS version so you can keep working while you’re on the move.
• Advanced formatting, including tables and mathematical expressions.

There’s a rich landscape of Mac options, and the best choice for me may not be the best choice for you. Not all Markdown editors will support all of those features, so the trick is to find the editor with the features you need.

So let’s have a good look at the options, then we’ll make some recommendations.

Looking for more on Markdown? Check out these great links:

Check out SitePoint Premium for more books, courses and free screencasts.

1. Use Your Favorite Text Editor

If you already have a favorite Mac text editor, you might prefer to use that for writing Markdown as well. Of course, Markdown is really just text, so any text editor will do. But many text editors have additional support for Markdown, either natively or through an extension or plugin. These may give syntax highlighting, a preview pane and other features.

Here are some examples:

• BBEdit 11 has a Markdown Extension Package that includes helper commands, transformation commands, paste as Markdown and MultiMarkdown support.
• Sublime Text 2 can be turned into a full-featured Markdown editor. We show you how here.
• TextMate 2 has a Markdown bundle that includes features like convert, preview, cheat sheet and “generate output and open in browser”.
• Chocolat provides Markdown syntax highlighting and preview out of the box.
• Atom supports Markdown out of the box, with features like syntax highlighting and preview. This functionality can be expanded by several community-generated packages, including Markdown-Writer, Markdown-Scroll-Sync and Markdown-Format.
• Brackets has a Markdown extension with syntax highlighting and a preview pane.
• Textastic includes Markdown syntax highlighting and preview out of the box.
• MacVim has a Vim-Markdown plugin that features syntax highlighting and folding.
• GNU Emacs has a Markdown Mode for Emacs package that includes shortcut keys and syntax highlighting.

2. Ulysses

• Cost: Starts at US$4.99 per month or $39.99 per year, or subscribe via SetApp
• Demo: Yes
• Other platforms: iOS

The ultimate writing app for Mac, iPad and iPhone.

Ulysses is a full-featured Markdown app designed for writers. It’s designed to keep you focused on the writing task at hand, organize all your projects in one place, provide comprehensive writing features in a simple interface, and export your documents beautifully in a number of formats.

Distraction-free features include typewriter mode, dark themes, and full-screen editing. All of your documents can be accessed in a single library, whether they’re contained in Ulysses’ database or in files elsewhere. Filters can be used to create smart folders that update according to the flexible criteria you specify.

Writers will appreciate features like word and character count, writing goals that indicate when you reach the desired word count, notes and attachments for your reference information, and keywords. You can export your documents to a variety of text and rich text formats, HTML, ePub, PDF and DOCX. Or you can publish directly to WordPress or Medium.

My take: I purchased Ulysses on the day it was released, and I’ve been using it ever since. It has become my writing tool of choice. It’s not cheap, but it’s been worth every penny. If you do a lot of writing, professionally or otherwise, take a good look at this app.

3. Quiver

• Cost: $9.99
• Demo: Yes
• Other platforms: iOS (coming)

The programmer’s notebook

Quiver is designed for developers, and can combine text, code, Markdown and LaTeX in a single note. It’s more than just a document editor: it’s a complete reference library for your documentation.

The editor gives you syntax highlighting and a live preview of your rendered Markdown, and offers cloud syncing, team collaboration, version control and backup. Programmers will appreciate code editing and the ability to write scripts to integrate Quiver with your other tools.

The document library can organize your notes by tag or notebook (including shared notebooks), and has instant, full-text search. Images are saved locally with notes, and displayed inline.

My take: Quiver is the ultimate Markdown (and code and LaTeX) editor for devs. Its document library can be synced to your other computers and devices via Dropbox. It’s a geekier alternative to Ulysses, designed with a completely different audience in mind, at an affordable price point.

4. LightPaper

• Cost: $16.49
• Demo: 14-day free trial
• Other platforms: No

Simple, beautiful yet powerful text editor for your Mac

LightPaper is designed for creating documents, articles and blog posts. It’s suitable for writers and bloggers, developers, scholars and students.

This tab-based app features both syntax highlighting and a preview pane. A document pane on the left lists your favorites, folders, scratch notes and shadow notes.

The shadow note feature is very handy: the app will associate a note with a specific app, file, folder or URL, which is entered in a popup window over the other app.

Other features include quick open, math and table support, custom styles, and distraction-free mode.

My take: This is a Ulysses alternative without quite the same range of features. It does some things that Ulysses can’t, including tables and math. While not as expensive, it’s certainly not cheap. If its range of features matches what you need in a Markdown editor, it’s worth considering.

5. MWeb

• Cost: $14.99
• Demo: 14-day trial
• Other platforms: iOS

Pro Markdown writing, note taking and static blog generator app

MWeb is a tab-based Markdown editor for writers and academics. It has a document library, but can also edit external files from anywhere on your Mac. Its clean interface supports advanced syntax, including TOC, tables, code blocks, LaTeX and footnotes.

The app features syntax highlighting, live preview, and drag and drop for adding images. It also includes some nice distraction-free features, including typewriter mode and a dark theme.

Getting your text out of MWeb is easy. It can export to PDF, HTML, RTF, DOCX and image, or publish directly to WordPress, Metaweblog, Blogger, Medium, Tumblr and Evernote. It can even generate a static blog.

My take: With its advanced syntax and export/publishing options, MWeb is excellent for writing technical documentation. The app is attractive, and the document library well designed.

6. Texts

• Cost: $19
• Demo: Yes
• Other platforms: Windows

Rich editor for plain text. Separate content from formatting. Store in Markdown.

Texts is a Markdown-based word processor designed for academics. It focuses on producing well-structured content that can contain formulas, footnotes, bibliography and citations, tables and links. You can create export templates to carefully hone the professionally typeset PDFs the app can produce.

Other features include a visual editor so you don’t have to remember Markdown, blogging on GitHub Pages, and custom themes. Documents can be published as PDF, HTML, DOCX, EPUB and other formats.

My take: If you’re an academic or technical writer, this app is designed for you. Its minimalistic interface is attractive, yet hides a lot of power under the surface. The documents it produces look professional, and are beautifully typeset.

7. Byword

• Cost: $11.99
• Demo: No
• Other platforms: iOS

Markdown app for writing in plain text efficiently.

Byword is a minimalistic app for efficient Markdown writing, striking a good balance between simplicity and functionality. There are just enough features to do the job without becoming a distraction.

The app has subtle syntax highlighting, and you can format with Markdown using keyboard shortcuts and auto-complete. There’s a word count with live update, and a quick preview option.

My take: Byword’s low cost, attractive looks and frictionless interface make it a popular choice. If you’re not in need of a lot of features, and simplicity aids your productivity, this might be the one for you.

8. IA Writer

• Cost: $9.99
• Demo: No
• Other platforms: iOS, Android

iA Writer. Plain. Text. iA Writer is designed to provide the best writing experience on macOS, iOS and Android.

IA Writer is a distraction-free Markdown editor that puts the focus on your content. It’s like Byword, but with a few more features and a little less simplicity.

The app uses a light gray background, monospaced font and blue cursor. In focus mode, surrounding lines of text fade to emphasize the line you’re typing.

Images, tables and content blocks are all supported, all features that Byword lacks. Other features include preview, live sync, a document library, file export (HTML, PDF, DOCX) and custom templates.

My take: Another popular, inexpensive Markdown editor with an emphasis on being distraction free, IA Writer loses some of Byword’s simplicity in order to gain some additional features.

9. Typora

• Cost: Free (during beta)
• Demo: n/a
• Other platforms: Windows, Linux

A truly minimal Markdown editor

Typora is possibly the most minimalistic editor we’re covering. It even removes the Markdown syntax as you type, replacing it with a preview of the formatting. What you see is what you get. It looks cleaner, removes the need for a preview pane, and makes reading easier.

Despite its simplicity, Typora supports images, lists, tables, code fences, math blocks, table of contents and more. Shortcuts do what you expect, and the themes are beautiful and fully configurable by CSS. Geeks will find a lot to love here.

My take: Typora is the new kid on the block. It’s beautiful and full-featured. If you like the idea of not seeing Markdown syntax in your document, this app is your only option we review.

10. Caret

• Cost: $25
• Demo: Yes
• Other platforms: Windows, Linux

Beautiful & clever Markdown editor

Caret is beautiful and distraction-free, but hides lots of power under the hood. It would appeal to writers and devs alike.

The app makes entering complex Markdown simple. Syntax assistance is available for tables, lists, quotes, fences, links and emphasis, and there’s auto-completion for images, keywords and emoji. A file manager is available, and navigation through long documents is made simple with the popup “go to heading” feature.

For the mathematically-minded, LaTeX expressions are supported, and they’re rendered on-screen as soon as the cursor leaves them. For distraction-free writing, dark mode, focus mode and typewriter mode are all supported.

My take: I’ve only recently discovered Caret, and for a minimalistic editor it seems to have a lot of power under the hood. Writing, rather than exporting, is its strength. SitePoint editor Bruno Skvorc is a heavy user of the app, and couldn’t be happier.

11. Focused

• Cost: $29.99
• Demo: Yes
• Other platforms: No

Get Focused, start writing!

Focused is an attractive, minimalistic writing app with an interface designed to keep you writing without distraction.

The app offers an uncluttered interface with few features, a choice of attractive themes, typewriter mode and a choice of eight relaxing soundtracks. Other features include word count, versions, export to HTML and RTF, and customizable typefaces and styles.

My take: If you’re looking for a beautiful, minimalistic app to write in, and value a focused writing experience over a multitude of features, this is worth considering.

12. Bear

• Cost: Free, Bear Pro subscription $1.49/month
• Demo: n/a
• Other platforms: iOS

Bear is a beautiful, flexible writing app for crafting notes and prose

Best Tex Editor

Bear is more than a note taking app: it’s a pleasing writing environment as well. The developers have focused on making the app beautiful to look at and smooth to use. By default it uses non-standard markup, but a Markdown compatibility mode is available.

The app includes a focus mode to keep you writing, and displays images inline. Features for writers include word count and reading times. The app can export your document to Markdown, PDF, HTML, DOCX, JPG or RTF. For developers, the app has code blocks that support and highlight over 20 programming languages.

Other features include rich previews, cross-note links, checkboxes, and smart data recognition. Tags are added by using hashtags within the document. Bear Pro subscribers have access to a range of themes and multi-device sync via iCloud.

My take: I discovered Bear while it was still in beta, and started using it immediately. I’m now a Bear Pro subscriber. I love the checkbox feature, the way images are displayed inline, and the way tags are added. These features make it an excellent note taker. I could use the app for writing, but Ulysses has become my tool of choice.

13. Mou

• Cost: Free (in beta), preorder Mou 1.0 for $15 (50% discount)
• Demo: n/a
• Other platforms: No

Markdown editor for developers.

Mou bylines itself as “the missing Markdown editor for web developers”. It’s light and responsive. Be aware that until Mou 1.0 ships, the app only works on versions of macOS up to 10.11; it doesn’t (at the time of writing) support Sierra or High Sierra.

Features include live preview, sync scroll, auto save, incremental search and custom themes. CSS, HTML and PDF export are available. Articles can be directly published to Scriptogr.am or Tumblr with a single command.

My take: The app has always looked promising, and I used it for a while a number of years ago. Lack of support for Sierra is a problem, but watch out for Mou 1.0.

14. MacDown

• Cost: free (open source)
• Demo: n/a
• Other platforms: No

The open source Markdown editor for macOS.

MacDown is heavily inspired by Mou, and was created when Mou development had stalled. Like Mou, it’s designed with web developers in mind.

Features include a configurable syntax highlighting, live preview, TeX-like math syntax, and auto-completion.

My take: MacDown is a good alternative to Mou, and having an open source (MIT) license, will remain free. If you’re a web developer looking for a lean, fast, configurable editor, this might be the one for you.

15. Haroopad

Cost: Donationware
Demo: n/a
Other platforms: Windows, Linux

The Markdown enabled Next Document Processor

Haroopad is designed for creating web-friendly documents with Markdown. Use it to create professional-looking documents for your blogposts, slides, presentations, reports and email.

The app has some advanced features, including support for LaTeX mathematical expressions, Vim key-bindings and embedding of audio and video. Themes and skins are available, and you can export your document to HTML and PDF, with more formats in the works.

My take: Haroopad is still in beta, and the English documentation is still a little lacking. But the app is flexible and has a ton of features, as well as supporting the major desktop operating systems. And the price is right.

So, What Is the Best Mac Editor for You?

The Mac Markdown ecosystem is rich and varied. With so many apps, which is the right one for you? That depends on your priorities, and what you’ll be using the app for.

Here are some recommendations:

• If the tool of your trade is a text editor, and you already have a favorite, you can probably use it as an adequate Markdown editor too.
• If you’re a writer or blogger looking for a full-featured writing environment, then have a serious look at Ulysses. If you find the price a problem, you can use it for less than $10 a month by subscribing to SetApp. Or have a look at MWeb, LightPaper and Bear.
• If you’re a developer, Quiver is the ultimate notebook for you. Simpler options include Mou and MacDown.
• If you’re an academic, Texts may be your best option, but also have a look at MWeb.
• If your preference is for an inexpensive, light-weight app, ByWord and IA Writer are excellent options. If distraction-free features are important, also consider Typora, Caret and Focused.
• If you don’t spend all of your time on a Mac so need something cross-platform, then check the features of Texts, Typora, Caret and Haroopad, and choose the one that best meets your needs.

Latex Editor For Mac

What’s your favorite Markdown editor?