LyX is a free document processor that organizes writing by document structure while providing TeX and LaTeX capabilities through a graphical interface. It supports academic articles, theses, books, letters, novels, plays, and film scripts. The equation editor accepts point-and-click input or LaTeX commands and renders formulas on screen. Labels, references, indexes, and bibliography tools include advanced BibTeX support. Configurable converters import and export formats such as LaTeX, PDF, PostScript, DVI, ASCII, HTML, OpenDocument, RTF, and MS Word. LyX supports multilingual documents, right-to-left writing, CJK writing systems, and Unicode. It also has basic support for Maple, Maxima, Octave, and Mathematica, with modules that can add Noweb, Sweave, and LilyPond support. External version control options include RCS, CVS, Subversion, and Git. LyX runs offline on Linux, Windows, and macOS and is released under the GPL. Windows installations require a TeX distribution, while Mac installations require a TeX system such as MacTeX. The project provides GPG-signed downloads for verification.
Who it is for
LyX suits writers producing structured documents such as academic papers, theses, and books, as well as creative works and scripts. It may be useful for people who need mathematical notation, bibliography tools, or multilingual writing support.
What is good
- Free software released under the GPL
- Equation editor supports point-and-click and LaTeX input
- Includes advanced BibTeX support
- Works offline on Linux, Windows, and macOS
What to know first
- Windows installation requires a TeX distribution
- Mac installation requires a TeX system such as MacTeX
Verdict
LyX combines structured writing with TeX and LaTeX capabilities, plus support for references, equations, and a range of formats. Account for the required TeX system when installing it on Windows or Mac.
LyX plans and pricing
All plansCompared on writing apps
- Free plan
- Yes
- Offline editing
- Yes
