Ver templatesBrowse
{ TexDrop }

pdfLaTeX, XeLaTeX, or LuaLaTeX: Which One Should You Choose?

Português: Leia este tutorial em português.

Choosing a LaTeX compiler affects font support, Unicode handling, package compatibility, speed, and automation. The three most common engines—pdfLaTeX, XeLaTeX, and LuaLaTeX—produce PDF files, but they follow different workflows.

Quick recommendation

  • Use pdfLaTeX for traditional templates, maximum compatibility, and fast compilation.
  • Use XeLaTeX when you need system fonts or straightforward multilingual typesetting.
  • Use LuaLaTeX for modern font support, advanced automation, and programmable documents.

pdfLaTeX

pdfLaTeX is mature, fast, and supported by a very large number of templates. It works especially well with classic font packages and standard academic documents.

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage[T1]{fontenc}
\usepackage{lmodern}

\begin{document}
A document compiled with pdfLaTeX.
\end{document}

Advantages

  • Fast and predictable compilation.
  • Excellent compatibility with older templates and publishers.
  • Stable output for conventional Latin-script documents.

Limitations

  • System fonts are not directly available.
  • Complex Unicode and multilingual projects require additional configuration.

XeLaTeX

XeLaTeX provides direct access to fonts installed on the operating system through fontspec. It is a convenient choice for branding, non-Latin writing systems, and documents that must match a specific typeface.

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{fontspec}
\setmainfont{TeX Gyre Pagella}

\begin{document}
A document compiled with XeLaTeX.
\end{document}

Advantages

  • Simple access to OpenType and TrueType fonts.
  • Strong Unicode support.
  • Convenient for multilingual documents.

Limitations

  • Compilation can be slower than pdfLaTeX.
  • Some traditional packages or publisher workflows may require changes.

LuaLaTeX

LuaLaTeX combines modern font technology with the Lua programming language. It supports system fonts and allows advanced document processing, data-driven generation, and custom automation.

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{fontspec}
\setmainfont{TeX Gyre Pagella}

\begin{document}
A document compiled with LuaLaTeX.
\end{document}

Advantages

  • Modern Unicode and font support.
  • Lua scripting for automation and data processing.
  • A strong long-term choice for complex projects.

Limitations

  • Usually slower than pdfLaTeX.
  • Some specialized packages may behave differently.

Comparison by use case

  • Journal template: follow the publisher’s required engine, often pdfLaTeX.
  • Branded report: XeLaTeX is convenient for corporate fonts.
  • Multilingual thesis: XeLaTeX or LuaLaTeX.
  • Automated document generation: LuaLaTeX offers the most flexibility.
  • Legacy project: keep the compiler already used unless there is a clear reason to migrate.

How to switch engines on Overleaf

  1. Open the project menu.
  2. Find the compiler setting.
  3. Select pdfLaTeX, XeLaTeX, or LuaLaTeX.
  4. Recompile from scratch after changing the engine.
  5. Review fonts, warnings, and the final PDF.

Best practice: record the required compiler in the project README. Explore the TexDrop templates and always follow the compiler specified by each template.