Overleaf for students is the student plan of Overleaf, the online editor for LaTeX. With LaTeX you set texts, formulas and bibliographies directly in the browser, without installing any software. This guide shows what the plan costs, which conditions apply and what happens after your studies.
Short answer: Overleaf offers a student plan, which the plan page lists at 7.25 euros per month or 87 euros per year. The standard plan costs 15 euros per month or 179 euros per year. The condition is enrolment at a university. Last updated: October 2026, offers change often.
The most important points
- According to the plan page, the student plan costs 7.25 euros per month or 87 euros per year.
- The standard plan costs 15 euros per month or 179 euros per year.
- You need to be enrolled at a university. The provider does not describe the accepted proof in detail.
- Depending on your location, prices in US dollars may also appear. The amount in the checkout is what counts.
- The plan depends on your enrolment. After that, the regular plan applies.
- A free basic plan is available in general, but it is not offered as a student deal.
What do you use Overleaf for during your studies?
Overleaf suits theses, seminar papers, posters and presentations that you set in LaTeX. You work in the browser, install nothing and can write a project together with other people. The number of collaborators per project depends on the plan. For managing literature and sources, see Scientific work with tools: Zotero, Citavi, Overleaf, Obsidian (in German).
Anyone who has set up a local LaTeX installation knows the effort involved. The browser editor takes that step off your hands. Whether the plan is worth it depends on how long you need it and how many people write with you.
What does the Overleaf student plan cost?
Our check in the browser showed the following prices in euros in October 2026. The student plan can be billed monthly or yearly.
| Benefit | Regular price | Student price | Duration | Verification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student plan, monthly | 15 euros per month (standard plan) | 7.25 euros per month | Ongoing, as long as you are enrolled | Enrolled at a university |
| Student plan, yearly | 179 euros per year (standard plan) | 87 euros per year | Ongoing, as long as you are enrolled | Enrolled at a university |
In our check, the student plan has limits compared with the standard plan, for example on the number of collaborators per project and on compile time. The exact values are on the plan page and may change. When we queried the page without the browser view, US dollar amounts appeared. The amount you see at checkout is the one that counts.
Calculation example: monthly or yearly?
Assumption: you need the plan for twelve months. Paid monthly, that is 12 × 7.25 euros, which makes 87 euros. The yearly billing also costs 87 euros. In this case, the yearly plan offers no price advantage, but fewer payments. The standard plan would cost 180 euros monthly and 179 euros yearly.
Assumption: you only write a bachelor thesis that takes three months. The monthly plan then costs 3 × 7.25 euros, which makes 21.75 euros. For short periods the monthly plan is cheaper, while for a full academic year it costs the same.
How to activate the offer
- Open the Overleaf plan overview and select the student plan.
- Sign in with an account or create a new one.
- Follow the steps to verify your enrolment. The provider does not describe the accepted proof in detail.
- Choose monthly or yearly billing and complete the purchase.
- Then check in your account which plan is active and save the invoice.
Is there a free version?
The plan page lists a general basic plan at no cost. It is not presented as a student offer. For the student plan, the page also mentions a seven-day trial. Some universities provide Overleaf through a licence for all members. Ask your IT service centre before you pay yourself. How such licences work is explained in Campus licences: Which software your university provides (in German).
What happens after your studies?
The student plan depends on your enrolment. When you leave the university, the student price ends and you move to the regular plan or cancel. Therefore secure your projects and files before your studies end. What happens to projects after a change of plan is set out in the provider’s terms. Deadlines and accounts after leaving the university are covered in When student status ends: subscriptions, licences and deadlines (in German).
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a university email address for Overleaf?
The plan requires enrolment at a university. The plan page does not describe in detail whether a university email address is enough. Check which proof is requested when you sign up.
Does the student plan also apply to foreign universities?
The plan page requires enrolment at a university that awards degrees. We could not clarify whether your foreign university is covered. If in doubt, contact the provider directly.
Can I use the plan for group work?
Yes, with a limit. According to our check, the student plan allows a limited number of collaborators per project. If you write as a group, check the number on the plan page first. If your group is larger, you need a different plan.
Why does the plan page show US dollar amounts?
When we queried the page without the browser view, US dollar amounts appeared, while the browser showed euros. Compare prices only in the same currency. The amount in the checkout is the one that counts.
What to do now
- Ask your university whether Overleaf is already available to you through an access arrangement.
- Work out how long you need the plan and choose the matching billing cycle.
- Only complete the purchase if you can prove your enrolment.
- Put the expected end of your studies in your calendar and secure your projects in good time.
Related guides
- Student discounts for software and apps 2026: the overview (in German)
- Citavi for students: offer, price and use during your studies (in German)
- Zotero for students: offer, price and use during your studies (in German)
- Student status verification explained: SheerID, UNiDAYS, Student Beans and university email (in German)
Sources: Overleaf, student plan overview (last updated October 2026) and Overleaf, price page (last updated October 2026, partly in US dollars).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
