Overleaf

Self-Hosted

Collaborative open-source LaTeX editor for academic writing

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Overview

Overleaf simplifies LaTeX document creation with real-time collaborative editing, a vast library of templates (academic papers, resumes, presentations), and seamless integration with Git, Zotero, and Mendeley. Its self-hosted Community Edition lets users retain full control over their data—deploy via Docker for quick setup or traditional servers for customization. It supports team management, custom extensions, and offline editing, making it ideal for institutions, researchers, and students needing secure, collaborative writing tools.

Key Features

  • Real-time collaborative LaTeX editing
  • Extensive template library for academic/professional documents
  • Git, Zotero, and Mendeley integration
  • Docker-based self-hosted deployment
  • Team management and user access controls

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Overleaf hard to install self-hosted?

The self-hosted Community Edition is straightforward to deploy using official Docker images, which handle most dependencies. Non-Docker setups require configuring Node.js, MongoDB, Redis, and other tools—this may be challenging for users without server administration experience.

? Is Overleaf a good alternative to proprietary LaTeX editors?

Absolutely. It offers real-time collaboration (a rare feature in standalone LaTeX tools) and a rich template ecosystem. The self-hosted version provides data privacy and control, making it superior for teams/institutions that prioritize security over cloud convenience.

? Is Overleaf completely free for self-hosting?

Yes! The Community Edition is open-source (MIT license) and free to download, install, and use. There are no hidden costs for self-hosting, though you may incur server hosting expenses depending on your setup.

Top Alternatives

Authorea (proprietary collaborative academic editor) Search Google
Google Docs (proprietary collaborative writing tool) Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Free/Open Source
Category Note-taking & Editors
Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

  • ⊕ Full data control via self-hosting
  • ⊕ No subscription fees for Community Edition
  • ⊕ Robust LaTeX support with auto-completion
  • ⊕ Seamless collaboration for teams/institutions

Cons

  • ⊖ Requires basic LaTeX knowledge to use effectively
  • ⊖ Some advanced cloud features missing in Community Edition
  • ⊖ Technical setup for non-Docker deployments
  • ⊖ Ongoing server maintenance needed

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