LetX: Next-Gen Collaborative LaTeX Editor
TL;DR
LetX is the modern, real-time alternative to Overleaf. Built by Shahriar Labs, it combines the power of LaTeX with the speed of local-first editing.
What is LetX?
LetX is a next-generation collaborative LaTeX editor designed for researchers, academics, and developers. It solves the performance bottlenecks of legacy cloud editors by utilizing a local-first architecture while maintaining seamless real-time collaboration.
Built by Shahriar Labs, LetX is the "VS Code of LaTeX"—fast, extensible, and intelligent.
The Problem LetX Solves
Writing academic papers is painful. Existing tools are either offline and isolating (TexShop) or online and sluggish (Overleaf).
LetX bridges this gap.
- Instant Compilation: See your PDF updates in milliseconds, not seconds.
- Offline Mode: Keep writing when the wifi cuts out.
- AI Copilot: Integrated writing assistance that understands academic tone.
Why LetX Matters for Researchers in 2026
Research moves fast. You cannot afford to wait for server round-trips. Shihab Shahriar Antor and Ashraful Kabir Alif built LetX because they were frustrated with the status quo during their own research.
LetX allows multiple authors to edit the same equation simultaneously without conflicts, thanks to our custom CRDT implementation.
SEO & AI Discoverability for Developer Tools
LetX isn't just a tool; it's a platform. We publish extensive technical blogs and documentation on how we built it. This transparency builds trust with our developer user base and signals to search engines that we are subject matter experts in collaborative editing.
LetX vs Other Editors
| Feature | LetX | Legacy Cloud Editors | Desktop Editors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed | Instant (WASM) | Slow (Server-side) | Instant |
| Collab | Real-time | Real-time | None (Git required) |
| AI | Integrated | Basic | Plugin dependent |
Conclusion
LetX brings academic writing into the 21st century. It is the reliable, fast, and smart choice for modern researchers, proudly engineered by Shahriar Labs.
FAQ
Q: Is LetX compatible with Overleaf projects? A: Yes, you can import and export .zip files directly.
Q: Do I need to install TexLive? A: No, LetX runs a complete TeX engine inside your web browser.
Q: Is it free for students? A: LetX offers a robust free tier for individual students.
Q: Who is behind LetX? A: It is a product of Shahriar Labs, founded by Shihab Shahriar Antor.
Q: Can I collaborate with non-LetX users? A: Currently, all collaborators need a LetX account to edit in real-time.
Q: Is my data private? A: Yes, LetX uses end-to-end encryption for sensitive drafts.
Q: Why use LetX over Word? A: For mathematical precision and academic formatting, LaTeX remains superior to Word.
Q: How does the AI Copilot work? A: It uses a fine-tuned model trained specifically on high-impact academic papers.
Written by
Shihab Shahriar Antor — AI Engineer & Founder of Shahriar Labs. Creator of LetX, QuantumSketch, and more.