15 Best Text Editors for Windows, Linux & Mac Coders in 2024

Last Updated: October 7, 2024

Programming and software development are probably among the most elite jobs, but are equally tedious. However, the right and best text editor can make the coding process simpler.

Although the text editors app can’t write codes for you, proper display formatting, editing, finding & replacing, and autocomplete function could make the programming process less cumbersome. A good text editor can make the difference between a good running program and a buggy code.

There are dozens of programming languages, platforms, and operating systems. Thus, the definition of text editor is quite subjective. There is no single text editor that fits the needs of all programmers and web developers.

Context of the best text editor changes according to the developer’s preferences, coding platform, and programming language. In general, a text editor should be simple, fast, and intuitive. It should be compatible with all significant coding platforms and languages.

This article will introduce you to the 15 best text editors for Windows, Linux, and Mac Coders, including premium and open-source code editors. But before we get started with the list, let’s know about online text editors.

What are Online Text Editors?

Online text editors are web-based tools that allow users to write and edit text without the need for any software installation. Web-based text editors offer portability, cross-platform operability, and collaboration.

An online text editor helps create or edit codes, articles, and other text from anywhere and any system. Some of the online text editors are specially customized for coding and debugging. CodeShare, CoffeeCup and Atom are some of the most used and best online text editors.

15 Best Text Editors for Windows, Mac, Linux & More [Paid & Free]

Name of the EditorCompatible PlatformMajor FunctionsPrice
Sublime Text– Windows
– Mac
– Linux
– Tab Multi-Select
Functionality
– Updated Python API
– Context Based Smart Auto Complete
₹7,536
Atom– Windows
– Mac
– Linux
– Autocomplete Function
– Built-In Package Manager
– Github Integration
Free
Notepad++Windows– Column Selection
– Supports Several Languages
– Higher Execution Speed
Free
CoffeeCup – The HTML Editor– Windows
– Mac
– Tag Highlighting
– Component Library
– Visual Code Selector + Live Preview
₹2,208
TextMateMac– Multiple Carets
– Version Control
– Macros
Free
Vim Editor– Windows
– Mac
– Linux
– Persistent, Multi-Level Undo Tree
– Extensive Plugin System
– Powerful Search and Replace
Free
UltraEdit– Windows
– Mac
– Linux
– Extremely Versatile
– Impeccable Customer Support
– Large Knowledge Base and Tutorials
₹6,086 to ₹7,536
Nova (Earlier Known as Coda)Mac– Built-In Support
– Robust API
– Easy Workflow Creation
₹7,536
BBEdit 14Mac– Project Organizer
– Multi-Document Navigation And Display
– Quick Preview Function
₹3,805
Komodo Edit– Windows
– Mac
– Linux
– Code Intelligence
– Workflow Management
– Enterprise-Grade Support
Free
Visual Studio Code– Windows
– Mac
– Linux
– Intellisense
– Built-In Git Commands
– Extensible And Customizable
Free
BracketsWindows– Inline Editors
– Live Preview Feature
– Pre-processing Capabilities
Free
CodeShareWeb-Based– Easy Code Sharing
– Real-Time Collaboration
– Easy To Teach Programming Remotely
Free
ExpressoMac– Prebuilt Templates
– Customize
– Fast Switch
₹7,536+ taxes
BlueFish– Windows
– Mac
– Linux
– Snippets Sidebar
– Auto Recovery
– In-Line Spelling Checker
Free

Here is the list of best text editors for Windows, Linux, and Mac coders. These text editor apps are chosen based on their interface, simplicity, popularity, and applicability. The sequence of the list is not based on their rank.

Sublime Text

  • Tab Multi-Select Functionality
  • Update Python API
  • Context-Based Smart Auto Complete

Sublime Editor is one of the most popular text editors among coders. Sublime is extremely simple and intuitive, and is regarded as one of the best text editors for beginners. The text editor offers many features like multi-select functionality, auto-complete function, and multiple themes.

The recently updated python API makes it one of the finest coding platforms for python coders. Sublime Text Editor supports hundreds of extensions and addons, which make programming more accessible. The cross-platform operability and GUI interface make it one of the best code editors available.

Supported Platform: It’s available for Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems.

Sublime Text Price: Sublime Text is available for ₹ 7,536 for new users. You can upgrade your existing subscription of Sublime Text at ₹ 6,090, Sublime Merge at ₹ 6,090, and Sublime Text & Merge Bundle at ₹ 11,570.


Atom Code Editor

  • Autocomplete Function
  • Built-In Package Manager
  • Github Integration

Atom is a free and open-source text editor developed by GitHub. Atom code editor is one of the most popular text editors among the coding community. Atom Code Editor is completely customizable as per the need of the user. The code completion via Atom API makes coding faster and easier.

Atom Text Editor also comes with a built-in package manager to help in making your programming software. This text editor Atom also features multiple panes, allowing users to compare and edit codes across multiple files.

Supported Platform: It is available for Windows, Mac, Linux operating systems.

Atom Code Editor Pricing: Atom is an open source and free text editor for Windows.


Notepad++

  • Column Selection
  • Supports Several Languages
  • Higher Execution Speed

Notepad++ is a lightweight text editor app with a clean user interface. Notepad plus plus supports multiple languages and higher execution speed. The text search and replace features allow you to find and edit the desired text quickly.

Functions such as column selection and text selection make coding a lot easier. Notepad++ allows plugin support so that you can add some extensions to the program according to your choice.

Supported Platform: This text editor is available for Windows operating system.

Notepad++ Price: Notepad++ is a free text editor and doesn’t cost anything at all.

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CoffeeCup HTML Editor

  • Tag Highlighting
  • Component Library
  • Visual code selector + Live preview

CoffeeCup Software is a dedicated HTML text editor for web developers. CoffeeCup comes with a simple interface, making it easy to write, edit, run and share the code. The code editor allows you to preview the code as you work on it.

The component library offers a wide variety of options to choose from, and the visual code selector makes coding even easier. CoffeeCup HTML Editor offers highly beneficial functions like tag highlighting, template downloader, and new start screen, making HTML programming easy.

Supported Platform: CoffeeCup is available for Windows and Mac operating systems.

Pricing: CoffeeCup HTML editor is available for ₹2208. You can also try it for free.


TextMate

  • Multiple Carets
  • Version Control
  • Macros

TextMate is a powerful and customizable text editor for mac. TextMate text editor supports multiple carets for quick text insertion and version control to track changes. The macros function in TextMate allows programmers to automate repetitive tasks for faster coding and editing.

The editor also offers custom themes settings according to user preference and file search options to jump between text matches quickly.

Supported Platform: TextMate is only available for macOS operating system.

Pricing: TextMate is a free and open-source text editor. Feel free to download and use.


Vim Editor

  • Persistent, Multi-Level Undo Tree
  • Extensive Plugin System
  • Powerful Search And Replace

Vim is a popular text editor available for Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Vim falls among the best free text editors, having a robust plugin system that supports hundreds of programming languages and file formats.

Vim Code Ediotr’s extensive search and replace features make it easier to find and edit the text quickly. It also integrates well with many tools making coding even more convenient.

The persistent, multi-level undo tree ensures no undesirable changes to the code. Vim Editor is a powerful text editor with a simple interface and versatile cross-platform operability.

Supported Platform: It is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems.

Vim Text Editor Pricing: Vim is a free & open-source text editor. You can customize and use the Vim code editor the way you like.

Suggested Read: List of Best Graphic Design Software – TechJockey.com


UltraEdit

  • Extremely Versatile
  • Impeccable customer support
  • Extensive knowledge base and tutorials

UltraEdit Software is one of the most popular commercial text editors available for Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems. UltraEdit has five different lines of products: UltraEdit, UltraCompare, UEStudio, UltraFinder & UltraFTP, making it the most versatile text editor in the market. It allows coders to program anything in the programming language and length of their choice.

UltraEdit Text Editor developers offer impeccable customer support and access to an extensive knowledge base and tutorials to guide you through the coding journey. You can buy a single license of this code editor and use it across five different devices. UltraEdit is regarded as the best Linux text editor.

Supported Platform: Text editor for Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems.

Pricing: UltraEdit is a commercial text editor, and its prices range from ₹ 6086 to ₹ 7609. You can also try it for free for 30 days.


Nova (Earlier Known as Coda)

  • Built-In Support
  • Robust API
  • Easy Workflow Creation

Nova is another popular Mac text editor. It has a clean and vibrant interface with the built-in support for all programming languages. Nova has dozens of valuable extensions along with a robust API. The text editor enables you to run code and create workflows.

The code editor has tools like Transmit file browser and Prompt Terminal for easier navigation. Nova text editor app can be customized for your ease.

Supported Platform: It is available for Mac operating system only.

Pricing: Nova text editor app has a yearly subscription fee of ₹ 7536 + tax. You can try the software free for 30 days.


BBEdit 14

  • Project organizer
  • Multi-document navigation and display
  • Quick preview function

BBEdit 14 is a powerful Mac text editor application. It gives developers end-to-end control over text and easily customizable menu keyboard shortcuts and functions.

BBEdit text editor app can be easily integrated with existing workflows and help you write code faster with its text completion function. One of the distinct functions of this mac text editor is that it allows editing a single file in multiple menus.

BBEdit Text Editor even integrates the project organizer function for team leaders to organize work. You can also preview the file quickly while coding, helping editors debug codes quickly.

With BBEdit app, you get multi-document navigation and display optimized source code editing. All these functions make BBEdit one of the best text editors for macOS.

Supported Platform: It is available for Mac operating system only.

Pricing: BBEdit app has a yearly subscription plan starting from ₹3805. 30 days free trial plan is also available for new users.

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Komodo Edit

  • Code Intelligence
  • Workflow Management
  • Enterprise-Grade Support

Komodo Edit is a cross-platform open-source code editor. Komodo Text Editor supports all major programming languages and offers dozens of popular addons to extend it beyond just typing code. It also has a Code Intelligence function that makes it easier for programmers to debug and test their code.

The Komodo editor’s version track function helps coders keep a trail of all codes. Komodo Edit also offers workflow management features as well as enterprise-grade support. Komodo Edit is one of the finest Linux Code editors.

Supported Platform: Komodo Text Editor is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems.

Price: Komodo Edit is an open-source text editor free to use.


Visual Studio Code

  • IntelliSense
  • Built-in Git Commands
  • Extensible and Customizable

Visual Studio Code text editor is one of the most popular cross-platform text editors developed by Microsoft. This text editor offers virtually unlimited expansion and customization with hundreds of addons and extensions. You can also debug your code right from the editor with the help of Visual Studio Code.

The built-in IntelliSense feature of text editor visual studio provides smart autocompletion for the coders, making their tasks easier. Developers also receive regular patches, fixes and updates, which makes it one of the best text editor for Mac and Windows.

Supported Platform: It is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems.

Price: Visual Code Studio is a free and open-source code editor.


Brackets

  • Inline Editors
  • Live Preview feature
  • Pre-processing Capabilities

Brackets text editor is a modern open-source code editor, specifically designed for web designers and front-end developers. It offers a simple and easy-to-use interface with inline editors that allow coders to open a window into the most used code.

The live preview feature in Adobe Brackets also allows for real-time changes to CSS and HTML. This text editor also works with pre-processors to simplify coding.

Adobe Brackets offers dozens of extensions like Emmet, Git, and Autoprefixer that can extend the features of this text editor as per your need.

Supported Platform: It is available for Windows operating system.

Price: Brackets is a free and open-source code editor.

Suggested Read: Best Free & Open-Source Web Design Software


CodeShare

  • Easy Code Sharing
  • Real-time Collaboration
  • Easy to teach programming remotely

CodeShare is an online text editor that can be accessed through any browser on any operating system. This online code editor allows coders to share their codes with their team and other developers in real-time. It enables groups and teams to write code in a shared environment remotely.

This web-based text editor is handy to conduct interviews with coders. Institutions and teachers use CodeShare to teach codes remotely. Shared debugging and troubleshooting speed up the programming process.

Supported Platform: It can be accessed through any browser on any operating system.

Price: CodeShare is a free online text editor and doesn’t cost anything at all.


Expresso

  • Prebuilt templates
  • Customize
  • Fast switch

Expresso is a powerful text editor for macOS explicitly designed for web developers. Expresso text editor offers easy design and preview functions helping coders preview the code in real-time.

It also enables them to combine shortcuts to perform a multi-step repetitive task quickly. Expresso Editor has thousands of prebuilt templates to give coders a head start.

This Mac text editor also allows easy customization of the toolbar and the quick document switch function. The web editor also supports multiple languages to simplify coding for the coders. Expresso has hundreds of applied features like Zippy Editing, Multi edit, Fantastic Find, etc, to make coding more feasible.

Supported Platform: It is available for macOS operating system.

Price: The premium version of Expresso costs ₹ 7536+ taxes. It also offers a 30-day free trial policy.


BlueFish

  • Snippets Sidebar
  • Auto Recovery
  • Inline Spelling Checker

BlueFish Editor is an advanced GUI-based text editor developed for programmers and web developers. Bluefish supports multiple programming languages and extensions. This text editor also includes a powerful search and replace function.

The snippets sidebar helps coders insert patterns and specify custom dialogues quickly. Additionally, the auto-recovery of changes function automatically saves your work.

It also has an inline spell checker with support for multiple languages. Programmers can also modify the language support as they wish and choose from dozens of available languages.

Supported Platform: It is available for Windows, Mac & Linux.

Price: BlueFish is a completely free text editor.


FAQs

  1. What text editor do professionals use?

    Generally, professional coders use premium text editors with cross-platform operability and multiple integration capabilities. These text editors offer advanced features which make coding simpler for the developers. UltraEdit and BBEdit are some best professional text editor apps.

  2. Which is the best free text editor?

    There are many free and open-source text editors with different functions and specializations. Visual Studio Code is one of the best free text editors developed by Microsoft. It offers unlimited extension and customization along with a built-in IntelliSense feature that provides smart autocompletion for programmers.

  3. Which is the best text editor for coding?

    The context of the best text editor entirely depends on what type of coding the user is trying to do. Some of the most popular text editors used for coding are Visual Studio Code and Sublime Text. These text editors offer features that make coding a lot simpler.

  4. Which is the best text editor for Linux?

    Sublime Text is one of the best text editor for Linux due to its powerful features like multi select functionality, smart auto complete function, and updated Python API.

  5. Which is the best text editor for Mac?

    Mac is a popular operating system for programming and development. Mac's best text editors include TextMate, Sublime Text, and Expresso. These text editors offer features that make coding on Mac much easier.

  6. Which is the best text editor for Ubuntu?

    Among many text editors available for Ubuntu, Visual Studio Code and UltraEdit are among the best text editors for Ubuntu. Visual Studio Code offers a split view function for comparing different codes, and UltraEdit is an extremely versatile text editor for text editing on Ubuntu.

Published On: December 21, 2021
Rajan Rauniyar

Rajan is pursuing CA with a keen interest in trends and technologies for taxation, payroll compliances, Tally Accounting, and financial nuances. He is an expert in FinTech solutions and loves writing about the vast scope of this field and how it can transform the way individuals and businesses manage their finances. His passion is not just confined to core finance-related writing but likes to explore the world of metaverse, cryptocurrency and stock trading. His content not only provides practical and effective solutions for business owners but is also engaging and informative to read.

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