Comparison

VerbTeX LaTeX Editor vs Pocket Pointer

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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

About

Pocket Pointer

Read full description

Your iPhone is already in your hand. Pocket Pointer turns it into a trackpad and keyboard for your Mac — real multi-touch gestures, real typing, no cable and no account. Free, both halves, with nothing to unlock. THE TRACKPAD YOU ALREADY KNOW • Move the pointer with one finger • Tap to click. Two-finger tap to right-click • Two-finger drag to scroll, with natural scrolling if you prefer it • Press, hold, then move to drag and drop • Three-finger swipe up for Mission Control • Three-finger swipe down for App Exposé • Three-finger swipe left or right to move between Spaces A KEYBOARD THAT ACTUALLY TYPES • Use your iPhone's own keyboard — every language you have installed, emoji, and dictation all arrive on the Mac • ⌃ ⌥ ⇧ ⌘ sit above the keys, so ⌘C, ⌘Tab and ⌘Space work the way they do on a Mac • Double-tap a modifier to hold it for several keys, tap again to let go • Esc, Tab and the arrow keys are right there — enough to run a slide deck from the back of the room BUILT FOR THE COUCH AND THE DESK • Pair once with a six-digit code, then never again • Reconnects on its own the next time you open the app • Pointer speed, scroll direction and haptics are yours to set • Tracks at your display's full refresh rate, so the cursor moves when your finger does PRIVATE BY CONSTRUCTION Your iPhone talks to your Mac directly over your own Wi-Fi. No server sits in the middle, there is no account to create, and there is nothing about you to collect — no analytics, no tracking, no third-party SDKs of any kind. Sessions are encrypted with AES-128-GCM, keyed by a credential kept in each device's Keychain, and a Mac only pairs when you type the code it is showing you. WHAT YOU NEED Pocket Pointer needs its free companion helper on the Mac — a small menu-bar app you install once from pocketpointer.vercel.app. It asks for Accessibility, which is what macOS requires before anything can move your pointer, and for nothing else. • iPhone running iOS 26 or later • Mac running macOS 26 or later • Both devices on the same local network Setup help and troubleshooting: pocketpointer.vercel.app/support.html

Screenshots

VerbTeX LaTeX Editor4 screens
Pocket Pointer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Pocket Pointer at none against VerbTeX LaTeX Editor's 2. Pocket Pointer also leads on update cadence (daily vs fortnightly). VerbTeX LaTeX Editor's advantage is iOS requirement (18.6 vs 26.0). On price, ads and device support 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. VerbTeX LaTeX Editor sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Pocket Pointer asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

VerbTeX LaTeX Editor ships an update fortnightly, Pocket Pointer daily. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
VerbTeX LaTeX Editor versus Pocket Pointer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVerbTeX LaTeX EditorPocket Pointer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (168 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews71.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings168 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightlyDaily — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS18.6 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size27 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVerbosus.comArnav Roy

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 more
  • 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 more
  • 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

Pocket Pointer

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

VerbTeX LaTeX Editor

Subscriptions1
  • Upgrade: Subscription$3.991 Month
One-time1
  • Upgrade: Forever$8.99
None

Pocket Pointer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is VerbTeX LaTeX Editor free?
VerbTeX LaTeX Editor is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Pocket Pointer free?
Pocket Pointer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do VerbTeX LaTeX Editor or Pocket Pointer have ads?
Neither VerbTeX LaTeX Editor nor Pocket Pointer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, VerbTeX LaTeX Editor or Pocket Pointer?
VerbTeX LaTeX Editor ships an update fortnightly, and Pocket Pointer daily. Most recently, VerbTeX LaTeX Editor was updated on October 14, 2026 and Pocket Pointer on October 8, 2026.

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