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TeXShop

TeXShop is a free macOS desktop front end for TeX and LaTeX, written in Cocoa to preview documents and produce PDF output.

Place
#22 of 31
Score
5.9
TeXShop's website

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 2001.

All about pricing
PlanPriceWhat it gives you
TeXShopFreeFree 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 2001
Other distribution integrations
The site documents configuring TeXShop to use TeX binaries from Homebrew or MacPorts.checked 9 Oct 2001
Processor support
The current standard release, version 5.57, is universal for Intel and Arm Macs.checked 9 Oct 2001
Purpose
TeXShop is a TeX previewer for Mac OS X, written in Cocoa.checked 9 Oct 2001
Security and trust
The official pages reviewed identify the GPLv2 license but do not state security certifications or compliance claims.checked 9 Oct 2001
Source code
Source code for version 5.57 is available and requires Xcode 14 or later.checked 9 Oct 2001
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 2001
SyncTeX
TeXShop has used SyncTeX since version 2.18 to link source text with positions in PDF output.checked 9 Oct 2001
TeX distribution required
TeXShop is a front end to TeX and LaTeX; typesetting requires a separately obtained TeX distribution.checked 9 Oct 2001
TeX Live
The official site recommends TeX Live for a complete TeX distribution and describes BasicTeX as a smaller subset.checked 9 Oct 2001
Typesetting
Its default configuration uses pdftex and pdflatex to typeset documents to PDF.checked 9 Oct 2001
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 2001

The company

Founded
2000checked 28 Sep 2001

Where it runs

MacTeX bundle
The MacTeX package installs TeX Live, Ghostscript, TeXShop, and other TeX GUI utilities.checked 9 Oct 2001

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