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JianTeX
What it is
JianTeX is an academic writing tool with desktop, browser-based, and self-hosted options. The desktop editor supports LaTeX and Typst, with syntax highlighting, code completion, and live preview. It works offline and stores projects as ordinary local files. SyncTeX links the PDF preview and editor, allowing navigation in both directions. The site lists 35+ built-in templates, including options for NeurIPS, ICML, IEEE, Chinese theses, and résumés. The online version supports real-time collaboration using CRDT, with collaborators’ cursors and selections visible. Automatic snapshots provide a timeline for restoring earlier versions. Users can import Overleaf projects through a Git link or ZIP file, or clone projects from Git URLs. Listed engines include Tectonic, Typst, LuaLaTeX, XeLaTeX, and pdflatex. Desktop use does not require registration; the online version supports GitHub and Google OAuth sign-in. Organizations can self-host to keep data within their internal network. JianTeX is described as MIT-licensed and free; the English homepage offers version 0.1 alpha and says code signing and notarization are rolling out per platform.
For and against
For
- Desktop editing works offline with local project files.
- LaTeX and Typst have live preview and code completion.
- SyncTeX links the editor and PDF preview.
- Online collaboration shows cursors and selections.
- Self-hosting keeps data within an organization's network.
Against
- The English homepage offers version 0.1 alpha.
- Code signing and notarization are rolling out per platform.
- The editor is not a visual editor.
The verdict
JianTeX brings offline desktop writing, browser collaboration, and self-hosting options to academic work in LaTeX and Typst. Its English homepage offers version 0.1 alpha, with code signing and notarization rolling out by platform.
Who it suits
JianTeX suits academic writers using LaTeX or Typst who want offline desktop editing, browser collaboration, or self-hosting. It also accommodates users importing Overleaf projects or working with Git repositories.
Plans and prices
Free and open source
Desktop app · Online version · Self-hosted option
Read 30 Sep 2026 · jiantex.com
On the record
- Collaboration
- Online projects support real-time collaborative editing using CRDT, with collaborators’ cursors and selections visible.jiantex.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Engines
- Supported typesetting engines include Tectonic, Typst, LuaLaTeX, XeLaTeX, and pdflatex.jiantex.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Git support
- JianTeX can clone projects from any Git repository and can sync version history with self-hosted Gitea or GitLab.jiantex.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Integrations
- The online version supports OAuth sign-in with GitHub and Google; version history can sync to self-hosted Gitea or GitLab servers.jiantex.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- LaTeX and Typst
- The desktop version supports LaTeX and Typst, with syntax highlighting, code completion, and live preview.jiantex.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- License and availability
- The English product page describes JianTeX as MIT licensed and available for macOS, Windows, and Linux, with offline use.jiantex.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- License and sign-in
- The English homepage describes MIT-licensed code and says sign-in is never required; the Chinese homepage describes the product as free and open source.jiantex.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Offline use
- The desktop app works offline and stores projects as ordinary local files.jiantex.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Offline writing
- The desktop app works offline and stores projects as ordinary local files.jiantex.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Overleaf and Git
- Users can import Overleaf projects from a Git link or ZIP file and clone projects from Git URLs.jiantex.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Overleaf import
- Users can import Overleaf projects by Git link or ZIP upload.jiantex.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- PDF navigation
- SyncTeX links the PDF preview and editor with bidirectional navigation.jiantex.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Privacy and deployment
- The site says self-hosting keeps data inside an organization’s intranet and collaboration content does not pass through third-party servers in self-hosted deployments.jiantex.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Purpose
- JianTeX is a cross-platform tool for academic writing, with desktop and browser-based versions.jiantex.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Release
- The English homepage offers JianTeX 0.1 alpha and says code signing and notarization are rolling out per platform.jiantex.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Self-hosting
- JianTeX supports self-hosting for organizations and teams that want data to stay within their internal network.jiantex.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Sign-in
- The desktop app does not require registration; the online version supports GitHub and Google OAuth sign-in.jiantex.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Templates
- The desktop app includes 35+ templates, including NeurIPS, ICML, IEEE, Chinese theses, and résumés.jiantex.com · read 30 Sep 2026
