Octree vs Overleaf

LaTeX editing has come a long way from the days of wrestling with complex syntax and endless compilation errors. With the rise of AI-powered writing assistants, two platforms are leading the charge in making academic writing more accessible: Octree and Overleaf. Both promise to revolutionize how researchers, academics, and students approach LaTeX document creation, but they take distinctly different approaches.

In this comprehensive comparison, we'll dive deep into both platforms, examining their features, pricing, strengths, and weaknesses to help you choose the right tool for your academic writing needs.

What is Octree?

Octree is a relatively new player in the LaTeX editing space, currently in beta. It positions itself as "the intelligent LaTeX editor that makes academic writing feel natural and effortless." The platform's core philosophy revolves around eliminating the traditional pain points of LaTeX by integrating AI assistance directly into the writing process.

Octree's clean, modern interface emphasizes simplicity and AI integration

Key Philosophy: Stop copying LaTeX code—write and compile with AI assistance instead.

What is Overleaf?

Overleaf, on the other hand, is the established giant in the online LaTeX editing world. With over 20 million users, it's trusted by top research institutions and Fortune 500 companies around the world. It's been the go-to collaborative LaTeX platform for years, recently enhanced with AI features through its Writefull integration.

Key Philosophy: A comprehensive, mature platform that combines traditional LaTeX power with modern collaborative features and AI enhancements.

Feature Comparison

AI-Powered Writing Assistance

Winner: Overleaf takes the lead here with its mature Writefull integration, offering more comprehensive AI features and proven track record.

Collaboration Features

Winner: Overleaf dominates in collaboration, being a mature platform with proven real-time collaborative features.

Document Management & Templates

Winner: Overleaf's extensive template library and journal integrations make it the clear winner for document management.

User Experience & Interface

Winner: Octree appears more beginner-friendly, but Overleaf's maturity and dual editor modes give it versatility.

Pricing Comparison

Octree Pricing

Overleaf Pricing

Winner: Octree offers simpler, more affordable pricing, while Overleaf provides more granular options including student discounts.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Octree Strengths

• AI-First Approach: Built from the ground up with AI integration

• Beginner-Friendly: Designed to eliminate LaTeX complexity

• Simple Pricing: Clear, straightforward pricing structure

• Modern Interface: Clean, contemporary design

• Affordable Pro Tier: Competitive pricing at $10/month

Octree Weaknesses

• Beta Stage: Still in development with limited features

• No Real Collaboration: Key features still "coming soon"

• Limited Templates: No extensive template library

• Unproven Track Record: New platform without established user base

• Feature Gaps: Missing many standard LaTeX editor features

Overleaf Strengths

• Mature Platform: Proven track record with over 20 million users

• Comprehensive Features: Full-featured LaTeX environment

• Excellent Collaboration: Industry-leading real-time collaboration

• Extensive Templates: Hundreds of templates across all disciplines

• Strong Integrations: GitHub, Dropbox, reference managers

• Educational Resources: Extensive LaTeX learning resources

Overleaf Weaknesses

• Higher Cost: More expensive, especially for individual users

• Complexity: Can be overwhelming for beginners

• AI as Add-on: AI features require separate add-on purchase

• Traditional Interface: Less modern than newer competitors

Who Should Choose What?

Choose Octree If:

• You're new to LaTeX and want AI guidance

• You prioritize simplicity and modern design

• You're working on individual projects (for now)

• You want affordable access to AI writing assistance

• You don't mind using a platform in beta

Choose Overleaf If:

• You need proven, reliable collaboration features

• You're working in a team or institutional setting

• You require extensive template libraries

• You need integrations with external tools

• You want a mature platform with comprehensive support

The Verdict

While Octree presents an intriguing vision of AI-first LaTeX editing, Overleaf remains the superior choice for most users in 2025. Its maturity, comprehensive feature set, and proven collaboration capabilities make it the safer bet for serious academic work.

However, Octree shows tremendous promise. Its AI-first approach and modern design philosophy could reshape LaTeX editing as it matures. For users willing to embrace a beta platform and primarily working on individual projects, Octree offers an appealing glimpse into the future of academic writing.

Our Recommendation:

• For Current Needs: Choose Overleaf for its reliability and comprehensive features

• For Future Potential: Keep an eye on Octree as it develops out of beta

• For Budget-Conscious Users: Consider Octree's simpler pricing structure

• For Teams: Overleaf is currently the only viable option for serious collaboration

The LaTeX editing landscape is evolving rapidly, and both platforms represent exciting directions for the future of academic writing. As AI continues to advance, we expect both platforms to push each other toward even better solutions for researchers worldwide.

Last updated: July 29, 2025

Disclaimer: Octree is currently in beta, and features may change rapidly. Pricing and features mentioned are current as of the publication date and subject to change.