Setzer is an open-source and free, full-featured LaTeX editor for Linux. The app is written in Python with Gtk, and, even though it can be installed on all major Linux distributions, it’s designed with the GNOME desktop in mind.
In terms of features, Setzer boasts most of the features one might expect in a LaTeX editor, with the addition of a very good PDF viewer, definitely one of the best out of all LaTeX editors out there.
Feature rundown
Besides its plain and user-friendly GUI (with which is arguably a very good screen-to-content ratio), Setzer boasts the following features: a useful panel with all the buttons and shortcuts for the most important LaTeX elements and special characters, an easy-to-use document creation wizard, and a dark mode.
In addition, it displays all the error messages in the build log, and has a very nice New Document Wizard section that should help even the most beginner of users feel right at home.
If you want to build documents within the app, please note that you’ll have to install a LaTeX interpreter of your choice beforehand. Furthermore, to specify a build command, go to Preferences, and choose the command you want under LaTeX Interpreter.
Verdict
Of course, the main “selling point” of this app is its feature set. It has almost everything one might want from a LaTeX editor and it makes life easier when you want to compile, edit, and use packages, as well as a series of other LaTeX-specific tasks.
However, we wouldn’t be surprised if the GUI is the start of the show for many users out there, since, let’s face it, LaTeX editors are not usually polished when it comes to looks, and have always had that “function before form” philosophy.
