Comparisons of Conversion Programs

The first four programs are available for a wide range of operating systems; some of the points in the table below only apply to Microsoft Windows. Note that it is perfectly possible to install some or all of these four programs on the same system without problems. They can be run from the command line or (in Windows) using TEX  Converter. Please be aware that the lists of the various programs' facilities are far from complete. Scientific Workplace is a commercial program with its own HTML conversion facilities. Program Advantages Disadvantages HEVEA Fast conversion Understands LATEX so doesn't require a compiler or other external programs Produces fast-loading text-only pages Customisable using configuration files Can produce plain text or info files French version available Installation instructions Native-code version may allow real time conversion User mailing list   Cannot display complicated mathematics Support for other languages limited User may need to write additional LATEX macros Cannot convert Plain TEX source TTH Incredibly fast conversion Can be used for real time conversion Extremely simple to install and use. Only requires one .exe file Converts Plain TEX source Understands LATEX so doesn't require a compiler or other external programs Produces fast-loading text-only pages Online manual MathML version available   Cannot display complicated mathematics Limited options Advanced options available in commercial version TTHGold MathML version needs to be purchased TeX4ht Excellent output Can show any mathematics that LATEX can produce Highly configurable Includes all the features of LATEX such as automatic numbering, babel, table of contents etc etc Converts Plain TEX source MathML, XHTML and other output options Installation instructions for MiKTEX and Scientific Workplace Detailed description in The LATEX Web Companion Output log files can produce further guidance Constantly upgraded without imposing any requirements for user to upgrade Author provides support in comp.text.tex Author provides upgrade for feature requests   Conversion can be slow Graphics files can produce slower loading pages High degree of flexibility can make the program complicated to use Requires LATEX compiler and external programs such as ImageMagick and Ghostscript LATEX2HTML Good output Can show any mathematics that LATEX can produce Includes all the features of LATEX such as automatic numbering, babel, table of contents etc etc Highly configurable Open source maintained by its users Most well-known of the programs; support via other users readily available Detailed description in The LATEX Web Companion Mailing list for support   Conversion can be slow Graphics files can produce slower loading pages High degree of flexibility can make the program complicated to use Requires LATEX compiler and external programs such as Perl, Netpbm and Ghostscript Installation can be tricky May have memory problems with large files Scientific Workplace/Notebook/Word Version 4 Windows only More information at   HTML with SWP Version 4.0 Fast conversion Very simple to use Outputs a good copy of the screen display using graphics files Can influence HTML layout by changing screen display No need for external programs Can produce MathML Forum/mailing list for support   Lacks advanced features such as table of contents, cross-references, subdocuments etc Inline maths alignment problems in some browsers Only suitable for Scientific Workplace etc users Back to Examples Home to TEX Converter Steve Mayer