A better free Overleaf alternative: AI built in, no account needed
Texmate gives you more for free: write with no account, let the AI fix compile errors and edit your whole project as diffs you approve, collaborate without limits, keep a history of every compile, and move your Overleaf ZIP over in seconds.
Why Texmate comes out ahead
Start writing in seconds, no account
Open the editor and go. Your files stay in your browser until you sign in, then move to a cloud project on their own.
AI that fixes errors and edits your project
The assistant reads your whole project and the errors of your last compile, then proposes fixes and edits as diffs. You accept or reject each one, so nothing changes without you. The Free plan has an unlimited Auto model plus 50 credits a month for premium models; Pro has 3,000.
Free, unlimited collaboration
Invite anyone by email and edit the same file together in real time, cursors included. The Free plan has no limit on collaborators.
A history after every compile
Each successful compile saves a snapshot of your files, so you can always go back. Texmate keeps the latest 10 versions of each file.
Why Texmate beats Overleaf’s free plan
| Feature | Texmate | Overleaf |
|---|---|---|
| Account to start writing | Not needed | Required |
| AI on the free plan | Unlimited Auto model, plus 50 credits a month for premium models | 5 AI uses per day |
| Collaborators on the free plan | Unlimited | 1 |
| Project history on the free plan | Saved after every compile | Only the last 24 hours |
| Compile time limit | 60 s on the Free plan, 3 min on Pro | 10 s on the free plan |
Overleaf free-plan details come from its pricing and documentation pages, checked in October 2026.
Switch from Overleaf in seconds
Texmate imports the ZIP of an Overleaf project, with its folders, images and fonts.
- In Overleaf, open the project and download it as source: File > Download as source (.zip).
- Sign in to Texmate or create a free account: ZIP import is in the Projects menu.
- Click Import ZIP and choose the file. Texmate creates a new project with your files, folders, images and fonts, named after the ZIP.
- Compile. Texmate uses pdfLaTeX, or XeLaTeX or LuaLaTeX when the main file asks for it with a comment such as % !TEX program = xelatex.
Frequently asked questions
Is Texmate really free?
Yes. The Free plan has unlimited projects, collaborators and compilations, plus the unlimited Auto model and 50 AI credits a month. Pro adds 3,000 credits, compiles of up to 3 minutes and priority support.
Will my Overleaf project compile?
Most do: Texmate runs a full TeX Live with pdfLaTeX, XeLaTeX and LuaLaTeX. Shell escape is off, so projects that run external programs while compiling won’t work.
Can I work with other people?
Yes. Add anyone by email from the Projects menu and edit the same file in real time.
What happens to my files?
Without an account they never leave your browser. With one they are stored in the cloud, visible only to you and your collaborators, and you can download any project as a ZIP whenever you like.