LaTeX Alternatives and Tools

Discussions center on LaTeX typesetting, its steep learning curve and limitations, with strong recommendations for alternatives like Typst and frontends like LyX, plus tools such as Overleaf and VSCode extensions.

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MS DPS typst.app CSS TeXmacs LaTex XML UX SSD uoregon.edu latex tex vscode write wysiwyg slow equations markdown cv xml

Sample Comments

virtualritz May 9, 2023 View on HN

2. Instead of LaTex embrace typst.https://github.com/typsthttps://typst.app/

DonbunEf7 Aug 22, 2017 View on HN

If you haven't, check out LyX, as it dramatically improves the LaTeX experience.

arunix Sep 21, 2018 View on HN

What tool(s) do you use for working with LaTeX?

datadeft Jan 26, 2024 View on HN

Have you seen typst? I have moved over from LaTex to Typst and most if not all your use cases are covered.https://typst.app/

Might be worth looking into Lyx also. It's a sort of WYSIWYG for latex.

okanat Jun 23, 2025 View on HN

Have you tried typst at least once. You have big words but it is lightyears better than Latex.

Thrymr May 28, 2020 View on HN

How about a modern TeX formatting layer to replace LaTeX?

Upvoter33 Jun 8, 2017 View on HN

Article doesn't discuss LaTeX enough - skip. :)

AnimalMuppet Dec 27, 2018 View on HN

Simplify your life further. Use Lyx (a frontend for LaTeX). It's pretty much WYSIWYG, but you're still using LaTeX.

AnimalMuppet Jun 7, 2019 View on HN

Use Lyx. It's a wrapper around Latex (or frontend for it) that makes it much easier to use.