Comparison

VerbTeX LaTeX Editor vs MathWrite Notes

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

MathWrite Notes

Features
Read full description

MathWrite Notes turns your handwritten maths into LaTeX. Write on the page as you always do, with Apple Pencil on iPad or on iPhone, and MathWrite converts each page into clean, structured LaTeX and compiles it into a typeset PDF. HOW IT WORKS • Write a page by hand. • At the end of the page, pull down and hold to add a new one. The page you leave behind turns into LaTeX on its own. • Open the LaTeX tab to see the source, or the PDF to see it typeset. On iPad in landscape, the source and the PDF sit side by side, and you can put your handwriting next to the PDF to compare them. A NOTEBOOK BUILT FOR MATHS • Blank, ruled, grid or dotted pages, in portrait or landscape. • Draw and hold: a stroke held still at its end becomes a perfect line, circle, rectangle, triangle or arrow. • The shapes tool places lines, arrows, axes and polygons with a single drag. • The graph pencil: write a function such as y = sin x and get its graph, drawn in ink you can move, resize and adjust. • Insert photos on the page. • Apple Pencil only mode, so your hand can rest on the screen, and a read-only mode for reviewing. • Folders, favourites, search and dark mode. LATEX THE WAY YOU WANT IT • Three styles: Classic, Tagged and Boxed. • Conversion settings: page layout, font size, margins, title and table of contents, equation numbering, what to do with diagrams, crossed-out work and margin notes, and whether photos are converted or inserted as images. • Your notes keep their own language, and theorem and proof headings follow it. • Every page is checked before it reaches you, and if a page would break your document, MathWrite repairs it so the PDF keeps compiling. YOUR PAPERS AND PDFS TOO • Scan pages with the camera, choose photos or import a PDF, and convert them to LaTeX. • Import a PDF from another notes app as a notebook and keep writing on top of it. SHARE AND EXPORT • Copy the LaTeX, share the .tex file, or open it in Overleaf in one tap. • Export the typeset PDF, or your handwriting as a PDF. PRIVATE BY DESIGN Your notebooks are stored on your device. Pages leave it only to be converted, and our server does not keep them. MATHWRITE PRO MathWrite Notes is free to download. Using it in full requires MathWrite Pro, an auto-renewable monthly or yearly subscription. Prices and terms are shown in the app before you buy. Payment is charged to your Apple Account. The subscription renews automatically unless it is cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel it in your Apple Account settings. Terms of Use: https://math-write-notes-backend.vercel.app/terms Privacy Policy: https://math-write-notes-backend.vercel.app/privacy

Screenshots

VerbTeX LaTeX Editor4 screens
MathWrite Notes4 screens

Verdict

The call

VerbTeX LaTeX Editor and MathWrite Notes are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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 and MathWrite Notes sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

VerbTeX LaTeX Editor ships an update fortnightly, MathWrite Notes monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
VerbTeX LaTeX Editor versus MathWrite Notes: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVerbTeX LaTeX EditorMathWrite Notes
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (168 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews71.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings168 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.618.6
Further details — not scored
Size27 MB45 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVerbosus.comAndres Osorio Leyenda

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

MathWrite Notes

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
2 purchases

MathWrite Notes

Subscriptions2
  • MathWriteNotes Monthly Subscription$9.991 Month
  • MathWriteNotes Yearly Subscription7 Days trial$39.991 Year

Questions

Is VerbTeX LaTeX Editor free?
VerbTeX LaTeX Editor is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is MathWrite Notes free?
MathWrite Notes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do VerbTeX LaTeX Editor or MathWrite Notes have ads?
Neither VerbTeX LaTeX Editor nor MathWrite Notes shows ads.
Which is updated more often, VerbTeX LaTeX Editor or MathWrite Notes?
VerbTeX LaTeX Editor ships an update fortnightly, and MathWrite Notes monthly. Most recently, VerbTeX LaTeX Editor was updated on October 14, 2026 and MathWrite Notes on October 11, 2026.

Other comparisons