TeXShop
TeXShop is a free macOS desktop front end for TeX and LaTeX, written in Cocoa to preview documents and produce PDF output.
What TeXShop is
TeXShop is a free macOS desktop front end for TeX and LaTeX, written in Cocoa to preview documents and produce PDF output. Its default configuration uses pdftex and pdflatex for typesetting, but a separate TeX distribution is required. The official site recommends TeX Live as a complete distribution and describes BasicTeX as a smaller subset; MacTeX bundles TeX Live, Ghostscript, TeXShop, and other TeX utilities. TeXShop has supported SyncTeX since version 2.18, linking source positions with locations in generated PDFs. Standard release 5.57 is universal for Intel and Arm Macs and is listed for High Sierra and later, with earlier versions listed for older macOS releases. Source code for 5.57 requires Xcode 14 or later. The Help menu includes the TeXShop Manual and a complete Changes document. Documentation also covers using TeX binaries from Homebrew or MacPorts. TeXShop was founded in 2000 and is available under GPLv2.
Good
- Free under the GPLv2 license
- Supports Intel and Arm Macs
- SyncTeX links source and PDF positions
- Works with TeX Live, Homebrew, or MacPorts
- Includes manual and changes documentation
Watch out
- Requires a separate TeX distribution
- Typesetting depends on external TeX binaries
- Version 5.57 requires Xcode 14 for source builds
- macOS software only
Who it suits
It suits Mac users who need a graphical TeX and LaTeX previewer and PDF workflow. Users must arrange a separate TeX distribution before typesetting.
Verdict
TeXShop provides a focused macOS interface for TeX and LaTeX previewing with PDF output and SyncTeX navigation. Its separate-distribution requirement is the main setup consideration, while the free GPLv2 licensing and documented integrations suit Mac-based TeX users.
Plans and prices
From TeXShop's own pricing page, checked 9 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| TeXShop | Free | Free under GPLv2 · latest standard release supports Intel and Arm Macs running High Sierra through Tahoe |
The facts
Each one read from TeXShop's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Documentation
- The Help menu includes the TeXShop Manual and a complete Changes document.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Other distribution integrations
- The site documents configuring TeXShop to use TeX binaries from Homebrew or MacPorts.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Processor support
- The current standard release, version 5.57, is universal for Intel and Arm Macs.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- TeXShop is a TeX previewer for Mac OS X, written in Cocoa.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Security and trust
- The official pages reviewed identify the GPLv2 license but do not state security certifications or compliance claims.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Source code
- Source code for version 5.57 is available and requires Xcode 14 or later.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Support
- The site directs TeXShop bug reports to Richard Koch by email and TeX distribution bugs to the implicated tool's author.checked 9 Oct 2026
- SyncTeX
- TeXShop has used SyncTeX since version 2.18 to link source text with positions in PDF output.checked 9 Oct 2026
- TeX distribution required
- TeXShop is a front end to TeX and LaTeX; typesetting requires a separately obtained TeX distribution.checked 9 Oct 2026
- TeX Live
- The official site recommends TeX Live for a complete TeX distribution and describes BasicTeX as a smaller subset.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Typesetting
- Its default configuration uses pdftex and pdflatex to typeset documents to PDF.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Version requirements
- The official site lists TeXShop 5.57 for High Sierra and higher, 4.79 for Sierra or higher, and 4.44 for Yosemite or higher.checked 9 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 2000checked 28 Sep 2026
Where it runs
- MacTeX bundle
- The MacTeX package installs TeX Live, Ghostscript, TeXShop, and other TeX GUI utilities.checked 9 Oct 2026
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