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MiKTeX vs TeX Live: catalog facts
MiKTeX	TeX Live
Free The open-source distribution is available without a license fee.	Free The open-source distribution is available without a license fee.
Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows, macOS, Linux, Command line
Installs packages on demand, so the base install is small Integrated updater keeps packages current without manual work	Comprehensive package coverage with its own package manager The same distribution on Linux, macOS and Windows
On-demand installation needs network access while compiling Less commonly assumed by Linux documentation than TeX Live	A full installation is several gigabytes Annual releases mean packaged versions can lag upstream
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Open source
License not stated	License not stated
Not stated if an account is needed	Not stated if an account is needed
Not stated if it works offline	Not stated if it works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 22, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 22, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.