The “best text editor” gives an easy answer to coding without damaging your work with formatting concerns.
Writing code can be a daunting task, but with the right text editor, it doesn’t have to be.
Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned programmer, having the right text editor is essential for writing and debugging code.
There are many different text editors available for Windows, Mac OS, and Linux systems.
In this article, I’ll look at some of the best options for each platform to help you find the perfect one.
This is especially true given that most beginners discover the hard way that their first choice for coding produces issues with the code itself, such as improperly displaying formatting.
At their core, the greatest text editors should not only be basic but also useful and easy to use.
If you’re coding using Linux(opens in new tab), Mac(opens in new tab), or Windows PC(opens in new tab), a text editor should be simple to use and execute the job correctly.
What are the Best Text Editors?
Here is the list of some of the best text editors for Windows, Mac OS, and Linux systems:
- Sublime Text Editor
- Atom Text Editor
- UltraEdit
- Setapp
- Visual Studio Code
- Brackets
- Expresso
- Notepad++
- TextMate
- Vim
#1. Sublime Text Editor
Overall Best Text Editor for all OS
Sublime Text is one of the most popular text editors available. It’s highly praised for its exceptional usability, quick shortcuts, and attractive interface.
It provides an intuitive distraction-free writing mode, split editing for multiple views, as well as powerful search capabilities. Plus it also offers a wide array of keyboard shortcuts that enable you to open files, show or hide the sidebar, duplicate lines, and go to a specific line number quickly – among others.
Sublime has an active repository with tons of helpful tips and tricks. It is available on Windows(opens in new tab), Mac(opens in new tab), and Linux systems(opens in new tab).
Key Features
- Intuitive writing mode
- Split editing for multiple views
- Powerful search capabilities
- Keyboard shortcuts
- Active community repository
What I Like and Dislike
Likes
- Easy to use, great search capabilities, and the active community repository
Dislikes
- Not free and limited support
Pricing
The Sublime Text Editor is available in three tiers:
- $65/seat/year for the first 10 seats
- $60/seat/year for seats 11-25
- $55/seat/year for seats 26-50
- $50/seat/year for any further seats
Product Updates
Sublime Text is updated regularly and new features are added. The latest version includes a brand-new distraction-free writing mode, as well as improved search capabilities.
#2. Atom Text Editor
Best Open-Source Text Editor for all OS
Atom is an open-source text editor, available on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems.
It is highly extensible and customizable, allowing you to customize the interface as well as its features.
Atom also supports multiple programming languages such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, Ruby, Python, Go, Elixir, and more.
Plus it comes with built-in support for version control using GitHub or GitLab.
Key Features
- Highly extensible & customizable
- Built-in support for version control systems like Github/Gitlab
- Supports multiple programming languages such as HTML & CSS
What I Like and Dislike
Likes
- Highly extensible & customizable
- Built-in support for version control systems like Github/Gitlab.
Dislikes
- Not as intuitive as some other editors
- Slow to load compared to others on the list.
Pricing
Atom is free and open-source, so there’s no cost for using it.
Product Updates
Atom is regularly updated with new features and improvements. The latest version includes a new tree view feature, syntax highlighting improvements, better integration with Github/Gitlab, and performance enhancements.
#3. UltraEdit
Best Text Editor for Windows and Mac OS
UltraEdit is an advanced text editor for Windows and Mac OS. It’s a great choice for coders and developers who need a reliable, feature-rich tool.
It offers an impressive array of features such as syntax highlighting, code folding, auto-completion, multi-tab support, and a powerful search/replace the engine.
It also has an integrated SSH/telnet client that makes remote connections easy.
Key Features
- Syntax highlighting & code folding
- Auto-completion
- Multi-tab support
- Powerful search & replace the engine
- Integrated SSH/telnet client for remote connections
What I Like and Dislike
Likes
- A comprehensive set of features and powerful search capabilities.
Dislikes
- The expensive price tag and the learning curve is steeper than most text editors.
Pricing
UltraEdit has a one-time fee of $79.95, which includes free updates and technical support for life.
Product Updates
UltraEdit is updated regularly with bug fixes and improvements, however, the latest version has not yet been released. The current version includes several enhancements such as improved syntax highlighting and code folding support, new options for the search/replace engine, and better integration with remote FTP/SFTP clients.
#4. Setapp
Best All-in-One Text Editor for Mac
Setapp is a great all-in-one text editor for Mac users. It includes hundreds of tools, apps, and utilities that can help you with everything from coding and writing to design, photo editing, and more.
It also comes with an integrated text editor called Ulysses which is designed specifically for both professional writers and developers.
Key Features
- An integrated text editor called Ulysses
- Hundreds of other apps & utilities
- Automation tools (e.g., AppleScripts)
What I Like & Dislike
Likes
- Integrated text editor Ulysses has powerful features such as Markdown support and auto-save.
Dislikes
- Limited to Mac users and the price tag is quite high compared to other text editors.
Pricing
Setapp requires a monthly subscription fee of $9.99, which gives you access to all of its apps & utilities.
Product Updates
Setapp is regularly updated with new features and improvements, including bug fixes and performance enhancements. The latest version also includes several additions such as improved automation tools and an update for the Ulysses text editor that adds support for Markdown tables and more.
#5. Visual Studio Code
Best Text Editor for Developers
Visual Studio Code is an advanced text editor specifically designed for developers. It comes with a powerful integrated development environment (IDE) that makes it easy to create and edit code.
It also supports multiple programming languages, including C++, Java, Python, and more. Plus you can use extensions to add additional features such as debugging tools and other integrations.
Key Features
- Integrated development environment (IDE)
- Supports multiple programming languages
- Extensions & plugins support
What I Like & Dislike
Likes
- Powerful IDE & debugging tools make coding easier & faster.
- Extensions allow you to customize the app to fit your needs.
Dislikes
- Not as user-friendly as some of the other text editors.
Pricing
Visual Studio Code is free and open source, but you can pay to upgrade your subscription for extra features (e.g., cloud storage).
Product Updates
Visual Studio Code is updated frequently with bug fixes and improvements, including new language support and added functionality. The latest release also includes several enhancements such as improved debugging tools, better integration with Github/Gitlab, and performance enhancements.
#6. Brackets
Best Text Editor for Web Designers
Brackets is a great text editor specifically designed for web designers. It comes with some powerful features such as live preview and inline editing, which makes it easier to create and edit HTML/CSS code.
It also supports multiple file formats including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, and more. Plus you can use extensions to add additional functionality such as color picker tools and other integrations.
Key Features
- Live preview & inline editing
- Multiple file format support
- Extensions & plugins support
What I Like & Dislike
Likes
- The live preview feature is great for quickly making changes to HTML/CSS code. The extensions allow you to add additional functionality.
Dislikes
- Not as user-friendly as some of the other text editors.
Pricing
Brackets is free and open source, but you can pay to upgrade your subscription for extra features (e.g., cloud storage).
Product Updates
The bracket is regularly updated with bug fixes and improvements, including new language support and added functionality. The latest release also includes several enhancements such as improved syntax highlighting, better integration with Adobe Creative Cloud apps, and performance enhancements.
#7. Expresso
Best Text Editor for Writers
Expresso is a great text editor specifically designed for writers. It comes with some powerful features such as auto-completion and syntax highlighting, which makes it easier to create and edit your writing quickly.
It also supports multiple file-formats including Markdown, HTML, XML, and more. Plus you can use extensions to add additional features such as spell checkers and other integrations.
Key Features
- Auto-complete & syntax highlighting
- Multiple file format support
- Extensions & plugins support
What I Like & Dislike
Likes
- Auto-complete feature is great for quickly writing without having to remember all the words.
- The extensions make it possible to extend the functionality of Expresso.
Dislikes
- Not as feature-rich as some of the other text editors.
Pricing
Expresso is free and open source, but you can pay to upgrade your subscription for extra features (e.g., cloud storage).
Product Updates
Expresso is regularly updated with bug fixes and improvements, including new language support and added functionality. The latest release also includes several enhancements such as improved spell checker, better integration with Dropbox and Google Drive, and performance enhancements.
#8. Notepad++
Best Text Editor for Beginner Programmers
Notepad++ is a great text editor specifically designed for beginner programmers. It comes with some helpful features such as code folding and syntax highlighting, which makes it easier to create and edit code quickly.
It also supports multiple file-formats including C, Java, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, and more. Plus you can use plugins to add additional functionality such as auto-completion and other integrations.
Key Features
Code folding & syntax highlighting
Multiple file format support
Plugins & extensions support
What I Like & Dislike
Likes
- The code folding feature is great for quickly navigating through large files without getting lost in the details.
- The plugins make it possible to customize the app to fit your needs.
Dislikes
- Not as customizable as some of the other text editors.
Pricing
Notepad++ is free and open source.
Product Updates
Notepad++ is regularly updated with bug fixes and improvements, including new language support and added functionality. The latest release also includes several enhancements such as improved autocompletion, better integration with online services, and performance enhancements.
#9. TextMate
Best Text Editor for Mac
TextMate is a great text editor specifically designed for Mac users. It comes with some powerful features such as snippets and code completion, which makes it easier to create and edit code quickly.
It also supports multiple file formats including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, Ruby, and more. Plus you can use themes and plugins to add additional functionality such as auto-completion and other integrations.
Key Features
- Snippets & code completion
- Multiple file format support
- Themes & plugins support
What I Like & Dislike
Likes
- The snippets feature is great for quickly writing code without having to remember all the syntax.
- The themes and plugins make it possible to customize the app to fit your needs.
Dislikes
Not as robust as some of the other text editors.
Pricing
TextMate is free, but you can purchase a license for upgrades and advanced features (e.g., source control integration).
Product Updates
TextMate is regularly updated with bug fixes and improvements, including new language support and added functionality. The latest release also includes several enhancements such as improved autocompletion, better integration with online services, and performance enhancements.
#10. Vim
Best Text Editor for Advanced Programmers
Vim is a great text editor specifically designed for advanced programmers. It comes with some powerful features such as syntax highlighting and macros, which makes it easier to quickly write and edit code.
It also supports multiple file formats including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, Python, Ruby, and more. Plus you can use plugins and scripting languages to add additional functionality such as auto-completion and other integrations.
Key Features:
- Syntax highlighting & macros
- Multiple file format support
- Plugins & scripting language support
What I Like & Dislike
Likes
The syntax highlighting feature is great for quickly writing code without having to remember all the keywords. The plugins and scripting languages make it possible to customize the app to fit your needs.
Dislikes
Not as user-friendly as some of the other text editors.
Pricing
Vim is free and open source.
Product Updates
Vim is regularly updated with bug fixes and improvements, including new language support and added functionality. The latest release also includes several enhancements such as improved autocompletion, better integration with online services, and performance enhancements.
What is Text Editor?
A text editor is a computer program that allows the user to write and edit plain text files. It provides basic functions such as spell check, syntax highlighting, line numbering, code completion, and more. Text editors are commonly used for writing software code and web pages. They are also widely used in other fields such as editing prose, graphics, or HTML documents.
How I tested the best text editors
To find the best text editors, I first create an account with the applicable software platform, which may be downloaded or used online. The service was then tested to determine how it might be utilized for different purposes and in varied scenarios. The goal was to test each software platform to assess how useful its basic tools were and how simple it was to learn any more complex features.
Which text editor is best for you?
When deciding which text editor is best for you, it depends on the programming language that you want to use. Some text editors are better suited for specific languages while others may be more general-purpose. Additionally, there are some text editors that are specifically designed for web development or desktop applications.
Best Text Editor – FAQs
There are two main types of text editors – desktop and online. Desktop text editors are installed on your computer while online versions can be accessed from any device with an internet connection. Additionally, there are some text editors that specialize in specific programming languages or tasks, such as HTML code editing or software development.
Using a text editor is relatively simple. You will typically open a file and begin typing or pasting in code for the desired program language. Depending on the type of editor you’re using, you may also have access to additional features such as syntax highlighting, auto-completion, version control, and more.
Finish Up
If you’re still undecided about which text editor to use, here’s a quick rundown: Sublime Text, Atom, and Notepad++ are among the finest text editors for developers.
Sublime Text is a lightweight editor that uses fewer resources, whereas Atom is a collaborative tool. UltraEdit handles the labor required to transfer and edit large files.
If you’re an expert or a beginner, Komodo Edit is an excellent choice, but you may need to obtain the proper version.
When it comes to selecting the best text editor, the most important criteria are related to your workflow and the language you’re using.
It is also beneficial to test each of the available options and consider their respective features in order to find the one that works best for you.
Remember, all these text editors have powerful tools that can make coding faster and easier, so take some time to explore them and find which one fits your needs!
I hope this guide has been helpful in determining which text editor is right for you.
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