VerbTeX LaTeX Editor vs TextEdit
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
VerbTeX LaTeX Editor
Create and manage LaTeX projects on your iOS device. Generate PDFs offline or online with support for various compilers and bibliography tools. Features include cloud synchronization, Git integration, and custom font support.
- Offline PDF compilation
- Multiple LaTeX compilers (PdfLaTeX, XeLaTeX, LuaLaTeX)
- BibTeX/Biber support
- Cloud synchronization (Verbosus)
- Dropbox/Box synchronization
- Git integration
- iCloud integration
- Zotero/Mendeley integration
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VerbTeX Pro is the secure LaTeX Editor for your iOS device. It allows you to create and manage LaTeX projects directly on your iOS device and generate a PDF offline (Verbnox) or online (Verbosus). This software is provided "as is" without warranties or conditions of any kind, either expressed or implied. Features: * 2 Modes: Local (stores .tex documents on your device) and Cloud (synchronizes your projects with Verbosus) * Offline compilation (Local Mode, enable in Settings) * Use PdfLaTeX, XeLaTeX or LuaLaTeX to generate a PDF * Use BibTeX or Biber for bibliographies * Automatic Dropbox synchronization (Local Mode) * Automatic Box synchronization (Local Mode) * Git integration (Local Mode) * iCloud integration (Local Mode) * Zotero integration (Local Mode) * Mendeley integration (Local Mode) * AI assistant (available in supported regions) * Custom keyboard shortcuts * Inverse search (jump from PDF to .tex file) * Syntax highlighting * Line numbers * Autosave * Hotkeys (see below) * File upload incl. subfolders (Local Mode) * Web-Interface (Cloud Mode) * Two factor authentication (Cloud Mode, in combination with Copiosus) * No ads Additional features in VerbTeX Pro: * Code completion (commands) * Unlimited number of projects (Local Mode) * Unlimited number of documents per project (Local Mode) * Unlimited number of file uploads per project (Local Mode) * Unlimited number of projects (Cloud Mode) * Unlimited number of documents per project (Cloud Mode) * Support development of free iOS apps If you experience any performance issues when loading a project or while using the editor please try * to disable syntax highlighting and line numbers by choosing Settings -> Syntax Highlighting * to split up your project into multiple .tex files by using the include{...} command of LaTeX Import or export existing projects (Local Mode): * Git integration lets you create a new or clone an existing repository. * Automatic Dropbox or Box synchronization (Settings -> Link to Dropbox or Box). Synchronization is done once a minute. Use any .ttf/.otf font (Local Mode): If you want to use a custom font or a font that is not installed you can import it via Git integration, via Dropbox, via Box or manually via Finder. In your project you can use the font like this: \documentclass{article} \usepackage{fontspec} \setmainfont{fontname.otf} \begin{document} \section{Main Heading} Это тест \end{document} You can write chinese in PdfTeX using the CJKutf8 package as shown in the following example: \documentclass{article} \usepackage{CJKutf8} \begin{document} \begin{CJK}{UTF8}{gbsn} 这是一个测试 \end{CJK} \end{document} You can write chinese in XeTeX using the xeCJK package as shown in the following example: \documentclass{article} \usepackage{xeCJK} \begin{document} 这是一个测试 \end{document} Hotkeys in editor (can be changed in editor - settings - keyboard shortcuts): ctrl+,: Settings ctrl+s: Save ctrl+g: Generate result ctrl+f: Search ctrl+p: Preview ctrl+n: New document ctrl+d: Delete document ctrl+.: Next document Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula
TextEdit
A fast and versatile text editor for mobile devices, offering compatibility with various file formats and editors. It provides a distraction-free writing experience with advanced formatting, organization, and sharing features.
- Supports TXT, RTF, Markdown, TeX, and PDF formats
- Cross-device and computer syncing via iCloud/Files
- Distraction-free writing interface
- Customizable keyboard extension for faster typing
- Visual rich text formatting and one-tap options
- Syntax highlighting for Markdown and TeX
- Instant statistics and counters
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TextEdit+ gives you the control of a capable word processor without the clutter of a full desktop office suite. Create plain-text and rich-text documents, work with Markdown and LaTeX, improve your writing with AI, and keep your files organized in Files and iCloud Drive. You can also open, edit and sync documents created with macOS TextEdit, Microsoft WordPad, Microsoft Word, and Scrivener RTF files directly on your device. WRITE IN THE FORMAT YOU NEED • Create and edit TXT, RTF, RTFD, Markdown, and LaTeX files • Open your documents directly from Files and iCloud Drive • Organize your work with folders and subfolders • Choose where you want to keep your files WRITE AND EDIT WITH AI • Turn your ideas or prompts into a first draft • Rewrite, improve, or summarize any selected text • Adjust the tone, clarity, grammar, and structure of your writing • Use AI without leaving your document FORMAT YOUR DOCUMENT YOUR WAY • Choose your fonts, styles, colors, highlights, and alignment • Create lists and adjust line, paragraph, and document spacing • Use superscript and subscript • Add images and tables to supported document formats • Stay focused with a clean, distraction-free editor WORK WITH MARKDOWN AND LATEX • Preview your Markdown while you write • Write and compile LaTeX directly on your device • Switch easily between your source and the rendered result EDIT FASTER • Find and replace text throughout your document • Check your word, character, sentence, paragraph, and page counts • See the estimated reading time for your text • Use keyboard shortcuts when you work with a hardware keyboard • Move the cursor and select text more precisely with the extended keyboard EXPORT AND SHARE YOUR WORK • Export your documents to PDF, DOCX, RTF, Markdown, plain text, PNG, and HTML • Print, email, or send your files to other apps • Keep your documents in Files or cloud storage and continue working with compatible apps on your other devices Whether you’re writing a quick text file, preparing a formatted document, taking Markdown notes, or working on a LaTeX project, TextEdit+ gives you more control than a notes app without overwhelming you with the complexity of a traditional office suite. Privacy Policy https://www.noteswriter.com/Kairoos_Privacy_Policy.html Terms of Use https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: VerbTeX LaTeX Editor at 68% against TextEdit's 18%. VerbTeX LaTeX Editor also leads on rating (4.5 vs 3.7) and iOS requirement (18.6 vs 26.0). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. VerbTeX LaTeX Editor sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and TextEdit sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
VerbTeX LaTeX Editor holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 165 and 376 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 68% of VerbTeX LaTeX Editor's written reviews are positive against 18% of TextEdit's.
VerbTeX LaTeX Editor ships an update fortnightly, TextEdit every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | VerbTeX LaTeX Editor | TextEdit |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (165 ratings) — better | 3.7 (376 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 68.2% of reviews — better | 18.1% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 165 | 376 — better |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly — better | Every 3 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 18.6 — better | 26.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 27 MB | 480 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Verbosus.com | Kairoos Solutions SL |
Customer experience
VerbTeX LaTeX Editor
TextEdit
User reviews
VerbTeX LaTeX Editor
From 165 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Fast and efficient LaTeX editing
- 👍 Easy to use and intuitive interface
- ✅ Compiles LaTeX to PDF well
- 💡 Good for on-the-go writing
- 🌟 Free and functional
Room to improve
- ⚠️ Requires internet connection for compilation
- 🚫 Limited offline compilation capabilities
- 📂 Poor file management and organization
- 🗂️ Lacks iCloud Drive and Files app integration
- 🖼️ Difficulty inserting images
TextEdit
From 376 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 📝 Simple and clean text editor
- 🔗 Integrates well with iCloud
- 👍 Useful for basic document editing
Room to improve
- 💰 Requires subscription for full functionality
- 🔒 Locks users out of previously purchased content
- 🚫 Prevents access to app without subscription
- 🤖 Forced AI integration that users don't want
Bugs and requests
VerbTeX LaTeX Editor
Reported bugs
83 issues- Cannot clone git
- Does not work with subfiles package
- New version does not support adding files
- PDF generation fails with BibTeX log
- Cannot insert images
Show 78 moreShow fewer
- App closes unexpectedly without saving
- Dropbox sync issues
- Cannot open or save to iCloud files
- File folder location is hard to set
- App freezes on project page (cloud feature)
- Crashes when trying to access preferences
- Cannot open Dropbox files with non-UTF-8 encoding
- Compilation issues with older versions
- Cannot edit tex files in local mode
- Display bugs when switching between US and JPN input
- PDF conversion fails with Japanese input
- Cannot open existing tex files
- Shows only folders, not files, in Dropbox
- Error when trying to use \includegraphics
- Problems with Cyrillic fonts display
- Umlaute not displaying correctly
- Plotting functions not displayed realistically
- Cannot compile plain documents quickly
- File organization is unclear
- Cannot edit .tex files created in local mode
- Cannot use script to transfer or continue editing on computer without cloud account
- PDF generation fails with BibTeX log
- Cannot open or save to iCloud files
- App freezes on project page (cloud feature)
- Crashes when trying to access preferences
- Cannot open Dropbox files with non-UTF-8 encoding
- Compilation issues with older versions
- Cannot edit tex files in local mode
- Display bugs when switching between US and JPN input
- PDF conversion fails with Japanese input
- Cannot open existing tex files
- Shows only folders, not files, in Dropbox
- Error when trying to use \includegraphics
- Problems with Cyrillic fonts display
- Umlaute not displaying correctly
- Plotting functions not displayed realistically
- Cannot compile plain documents quickly
- File organization is unclear
- Cannot edit .tex files created in local mode
- Cannot use script to transfer or continue editing on computer without cloud account
- PDF generation fails with BibTeX log
- Cannot open or save to iCloud files
- App freezes on project page (cloud feature)
- Crashes when trying to access preferences
- Cannot open Dropbox files with non-UTF-8 encoding
- Compilation issues with older versions
- Cannot edit tex files in local mode
- Display bugs when switching between US and JPN input
- PDF conversion fails with Japanese input
- Cannot open existing tex files
- Shows only folders, not files, in Dropbox
- Error when trying to use \includegraphics
- Problems with Cyrillic fonts display
- Umlaute not displaying correctly
- Plotting functions not displayed realistically
- Cannot compile plain documents quickly
- File organization is unclear
- Cannot edit .tex files created in local mode
- Cannot use script to transfer or continue editing on computer without cloud account
- PDF generation fails with BibTeX log
- Cannot open or save to iCloud files
- App freezes on project page (cloud feature)
- Crashes when trying to access preferences
- Cannot open Dropbox files with non-UTF-8 encoding
- Compilation issues with older versions
- Cannot edit tex files in local mode
- Display bugs when switching between US and JPN input
- PDF conversion fails with Japanese input
- Cannot open existing tex files
- Shows only folders, not files, in Dropbox
- Error when trying to use \includegraphics
- Problems with Cyrillic fonts display
- Umlaute not displaying correctly
- Plotting functions not displayed realistically
- Cannot compile plain documents quickly
- File organization is unclear
- Cannot edit .tex files created in local mode
- Cannot use script to transfer or continue editing on computer without cloud account
Requested features
32 requests- Autosave functionality
- Better external keyboard support (e.g., Command+G for search)
- Search and replace functionality
- PDF preview with jump-to-editor feature
- Display last edited passage in PDF preview
Show 27 moreShow fewer
- iCloud Drive integration
- Access to 'On My iPad' and Apple's Files app
- Import existing LaTeX projects and documents
- Command suggestions/autofill for commands
- Ability to edit .sty/.cls files
- Dark mode support
- Highlighting brackets
- Shortcuts for common math symbols
- Specify areas for math and text display
- View PDF and source simultaneously
- Work on source files saved in other apps' shared file systems
- Zooming PDF display
- Line number references
- Syntax highlighting color customization
- Support for Japanese articles (jarticle class)
- Support for Cyrillic fonts and UTF-8 encoding
- Improved file sharing and PC transfer methods
- Auto-save on PDF preview
- Export .tex files easily
- Add shortcuts for common functions and equations
- Built-in documentation for supported packages
- More intuitive interface for file management
- Support for additional cloud storage like OneDrive
- Ability to zoom PDF display
- Support for Xelatex and pdftex
- Ability to manage project files (folders, images)
- Support for TikZ
TextEdit
Reported bugs
3 issues- Crashes when opening certain file types
- Formatting issues when copying/pasting text
- Inconsistent behavior across devices
Requested features
3 requests- Allow users to choose iCloud directory
- Offer one-time purchase option instead of subscription
- Restore previous paid versions without AI
In-app purchases
VerbTeX LaTeX Editor
- Upgrade: Subscription$3.991 Month
- Upgrade: Forever$8.99
TextEdit
- TextEdit+ Unlock AI Assistant3 Days trial$4.991 Month
- TextEdit+ Unlock AI Assistant3 Days trial$29.991 Year
- TextEdit+ Full Unlock$24.99









