Side by side
TeXnicCenter vs WinShell
Both stand on latex editors. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan Windows
TeXnicCenter offers LaTeX project management, configurable compilation, and document viewing at no cost. Its Windows-only support and inactive development are important considerations.
Visit TeXnicCenter Free plan Windows
WinShell offers a substantial set of editing and document-organization features for LaTeX and TeX on Windows. Before using it, account for the separate LaTeX package and PDF viewer requirements, as well as the different minimum Windows versions listed on its homepage and in its manual.
Visit WinShellThe facts
| TeXnicCenter | WinShell | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Windows | Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | texniccenter.org | winshell.org |
| On latex editors | #21 of 31 | #25 of 31 |
TeXnicCenter: what it does well
- Organizes multi-file LaTeX projects.
- Highlights commands, environments, and packages.
- Compiles to PDF, DVI, PS, and other formats.
- GPL permits use, study, modification, and distribution.
What to know first
- Requires a separate LaTeX distribution and PDF viewer.
- Further development is not currently taking place.
- Available for Windows only.
WinShell: what it does well
- Free binary with optional donations.
- Project environment organizes contents, figures, tables, and bibliography.
- Hunspell-based spell checker supports compatible dictionaries.
- Supports forward and inverse search.
- Installer and portable package are offered.
What to know first
- Requires a separate LaTeX package.
- Requires a PDF viewer.
- Source code is unavailable.
- Homepage and manual list different minimum Windows versions.
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