The Best Text Editor for Windows, macOS, and Linux

Plenty of text editors have become obsolete, changed names, or been abandoned over the years. Of course, web developers deserve reliable, modern tools. With that in mind, here are our top picks for the best text editor for macOS, Windows, and Linux. 

1. Visual Studio Code

Microsoft’s Visual Studio Code is open-source and available on macOS, Windows, and Linux. Even though it’s completely free, it has powerful features, is customizable, and allows extensions. As a result, many developers say it’s the best text editor available.

An overview:

• Price: Free.

• Compatibility: It runs on macOS, Windows, and Linux. 

• Tech support: Community forum and professional engineer support.  

• Language: Multi-language. It’s possible to add extra on the marketplace.

Visual Studio Code has built-in Git commands for easy editing. For those who want extra customization, plugin support can add new languages or third-party services. Since extensions run on separate processes, the editor remains as fast as ever. 

For those who want something more powerful, Visual Studio is an integrated development environment (IDE) that makes editing a breeze. It runs over 50% faster than Visual Studio Code. Best of all, it offers context-aware smart completions, cross-platform capabilities, integrated test tools, and live shared coding sessions.

2. Sublime Text

Sublime Text is a strong contender for the best text editor because it’s fast, intuitive, and lightweight. It has plenty of powerful features that make it stand out. For example, it can use existing code to make smart auto-complete suggestions.

An overview:

• Price: Free. The paid version — which is unnecessary — is $100. 

• Compatibility: It runs on macOS, Windows, and Linux. 

• Tech support: Community forum support.

• Language: Multi-language. It’s possible to add extra using plugins.

Overall, Sublime Text is a quality text editor. Users even rated it 9 out of 10 because it’s so intuitive. Most of them like the customization features and the ability to use plugins. Generally, their criticisms are minor. For example, those using it for free complain about frequent pop-ups advertising the paid version.

3. CodeShare

As online text editing tools go, CodeShare is one of the best. The user interface is clean and straightforward, so there’s no learning curve. Although the functionality is basic, it gets the job done.

An overview:

• Price: Free with fewer features. The paid version is $49 per month. 

• Compatibility: It runs on macOS, Windows, and Linux.

• Tech support: Email support from the creators.

• Language: Multi-language.

CodeShare stands out because it has impressive collaboration features. While someone is editing, they can invite others and video chat with them. Everyone works together in real time. If they want to save their code and return to it after 24 hours, they only need to sign up with an email address. 

4. Phoenix

Phoenix is another web-based tool in the running for best text editor. It’s modern, intuitive, powerful, and fast — everything a developer could want. Notably, it’s basically the online version of Brackets.

An overview:

• Price: Free.

• Compatibility: It runs on macOS, Windows, and Linux.

• Tech support: Community forum and social media support.

• Language: Multi-language.

Phoenix has live preview and robust search functions. Also, it allows extensions and themes. It even offers dozens of HTML games like “Adjustable Fireworks” or “Snake” so developers can have some fun while brushing up on their skills.

5. UltraEdit

UltraEdit is the best text editor for developers who want more than the basics. For starters, its custom themes and layouts allow for extensive personalization. Additionally, its IntelliTips tool provides dynamic, context-aware suggestions and auto-completion.

An overview:

• Price: $80 per year or one payment of $150.

• Compatibility: It runs on macOS, Windows, and Linux.

• Tech support: Phone and email support.

• Language: Multi-language.

The live preview feature is helpful for reviewing changes in real time. Also, the robust search function is just as useful since it can look for files as big as 4 GB. 

6. Komodo IDE

Komodo IDE is the best text editor — especially in comparison to the old Komodo Edit. Although the creators retired the official version in late 2022, anyone can use it because the code is open source. Crucially, though, this means all bug fixes and feature drops are on pause permanently.

An overview:

• Price: Free.

• Compatibility: It runs on Windows and Linux. There is partial support for macOS.

• Tech support: Limited community forum support.

• Language: Multi-language. It’s possible to add extra.

Docker integration, icon sets, and custom workspaces offer extensive personalization. The auto-complete, code browser, multi-select, dependency detector, visual debugging, and real-time collaboration tools set Komodo IDE apart from other text editors.

7. Notepad++

Notepad++ has somewhat limited functionality, but it’s still the best text editor for people who need minimal distractions or are just getting started. 

An overview:

• Price: Free.

• Compatibility: It runs on Windows. 

• Tech support: Community forum support.

• Language: Limited multi-language.

Notepad++ is pretty basic, so it’s easy to use. Because it’s so lightweight, it works consistently and quickly. More importantly, it receives regular updates once every month or so. The creator and users are passionate and active, so community support is phenomenal.  

8. Brackets

Brackets is the best text editor for those looking for a modern, lightweight tool. It has powerful editing features, dozens of community-made extensions, and a passionate community. 

An overview:

• Price: Free.

• Compatibility: It runs on macOS, Windows, and Linux.

• Tech support: Community forum support.

• Language: Multi-language.

Inline editors, live previews, and element highlighting are some of the key features of Bracket. Although it’s relatively bare-bones by itself, the massive amount of valuable extensions fill in most gaps.

9. CoffeeCup

Out of every free option available, CoffeeCup might be the best text editor. After all, it has a live preview function, media insertion capabilities, a visual code selector, and tag reference.

An overview:

• Price: Free. A $29 paid version is available to support the creators. 

• Compatibility: It runs on Windows. 

• Tech support: Community forum and email support. 

• Language: HTML only.

If those features aren’t convincing enough, CoffeeCup offers smart code analysis, suggestion, and error correction. Although reviewers admitted this text editor isn’t very beginner-friendly and looks dated, they praised it for its power and functionality.

10. TextMate

TextMate is the best text editor for developers who are fond of the Apple ecosystem. After all, it’s one of the few options for macOS. That being said, there’s more to it than its mac exclusivity.

An overview:

• Price: Free.

• Compatibility: It runs on macOS.

• Tech support: Community forum, social media, and email support. 

• Language: Multi-language.

This text editor has strong features like multiple carets, file search, personalized themes, live preview, and custom actions. The one downside is updates and bug fixes are nonexistent — although TextMate’s creator hasn’t officially abandoned it, there’s been no word on the project for years. Fortunately, it is open source.

How to Choose the Best Text Editor

The best text editor is a subjective title. After all, every web developer looks for different things. Still, the key things to look for are speed, consistency, support, and customization. While all of the options on this list have these features, they aren’t exactly equal. People looking to use any should compare their options before settling on something. Although the stakes are low since they’re free, it’s best to try them out to get a feel for each one.