Best Text Editors for Windows, Mac, Linux and Programming

Basic & Simple Text Editor

A text editor is a type of computer program that edits plain text. Such programs are sometimes known as "notepad" software, following the naming of Microsoft Notepad.

Notepad is a simple text editor for Windows; it creates and edits plain text documents. First released in 1983 to commercialize the computer mouse in MS-DOS, Notepad has been part of every version of Windows ever since.

Here is a list of our favorite text editors. Some of them are sometimes referred to as IDEs (integrated development environments). You can do much more with the text editors than just write code. So, we strongly advise you to test each one to discover which one works best for your specific task or project.

The top 6 Text Editors list for Windows, Mac, Linux and programmers as per your requirements are as follows:

• 1. Notepad++
• 2. Atom
• 3. Sublime Text
• 4. Brackets
• 5. Vim
• 6. Visual Studio Code

The Best Text Editors list for Windows, Mac, Linux and programming

1. Notepad++

Notepad++ is a free source code editor and Notepad replacement that supports several languages.

Running in the MS Windows environment, its use is governed by GNU General Public License.

Notepad++ is developed in C++ and uses pure Win32 API and STL, resulting in faster execution and less program size. It is based on the advanced editing component Scintilla. Notepad++ is attempting to minimize global carbon dioxide emissions by optimizing as many processes as feasible while maintaining user friendliness. When less CPU power is used, the PC may slow down and consume less power, resulting in a greener environment.

The product's name comes from the C increment operator. Notepad++ is distributed as free software.

I hope you enjoy Notepad++ as much as I enjoy coding it.

Notepad++ is Free open-source text & code editor

PROS

• - Lightweight interface
• - Tons of features
• - Plugins
• - Open source

CONS

• - Only for Windows
• - Steep learning curve

2. Atom

Atom is a free and open-source text and source code editor for macOS, Linux, and Microsoft Windows that includes support for JavaScript plug-ins and inbuilt Git Control.

Atom is a desktop program created by GitHub that is developed using web technology. The majority of the expanding packages are community-built and maintained, under free software licenses. Atom is built on Electron (formerly known as Atom Shell), a framework that allows for cross-platform desktop applications to be built with Chromium and Node.js. Atom was created in CoffeeScript and Less, but much of it has been ported to JavaScript.

On June 25, 2015, Atom was released from beta as version 1.0. Its creators refer to it as a "hackable text editor for the twenty-first century" since it is entirely modifiable in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

Atom is Free to use text editor

PROS

• - Customizing functionalities is easier than ever for experts
• - Free text editor
• - Install new packages instead of edit
• - Detailed video guide

CONS

• - Not ideal for beginners
• - Requires knowledge and experience to successfully add or improve functionality

3. Sublime Text

Sublime Text is a cross-platform source code editor that is available for free. It natively supports a wide range of programming and markup languages. Plugins, which are often community-built and maintained under free-software licenses, allow users to extend its capabilities. Sublime Text has a Python API to help with plugin development.

Sublime Text is free to use text editor.

PROS

• - Clean, organized interface
• - Multi-platform support
• - Works with most programming languages

CONS

• - Many features require plug-ins
• - Continuous use requires license

4. Brackets

Brackets is a modern text editor that makes it easy to design in the browser.

It's crafted from the ground up for web designers and front-end developers.

Brackets is a source code editor that specializes on web development.

It is free and open-source software released under the MIT License, developed by Adobe Inc., and is presently maintained on GitHub by open-source developers.

It's coded in JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. Brackets is a cross-platform application that is available for macOS, Windows, and the majority of Linux variants. Brackets' main goal is to allow live HTML, CSS, and JavaScript editing.

Features to use:

1. Inline Editors

Instead of switching between file tabs, Brackets allows you to open a window into the code that interests you the most.

2. Live Preview

Establish a live connection to your browser. Changes to CSS and HTML will be reflected on the screen immediately.

3. Preprocessor Support

Work with preprocessors in a whole different approach. We understand the importance of preprocessors in your workflow.

Brackets is Free to use text editor

PROS

• - User-friendly interface
• - Highly-customizable
• - Multiple extensions are available
• - Free and open-source software

CONS

• - Takes too long to install
• - Third-party plug-ins are not supported

5. Vim

Vim is a screen-based text editor that can improve your productivity when writing code. It is free and open-source text editor.

It's a better clone of Bill Joy's vi. Bram Moolenaar, Vim's creator, created Vim from an Amiga port of the Stevie editor and published a public version in 1991.

Vim is intended to be used both from the command line and as a standalone application in a graphical user interface.

Vim is distributed under the Vim license, which includes several charityware terms that urge software users to consider giving to children in Uganda. The Vim license is compatible with the GNU General Public License.

Vim is Free to use text editor

PROS

• - Lightweight
• - Available on most platforms and OS
• - Supports tons of languages
• - Syntax highlighting

CONS

• - Steep learning curve compared to other apps

6. Visual Studio Code

Visual Studio Code is a simplified code editor that supports development tasks such as debugging, task execution, and version control. It seeks to give only the tools a developer requires for a short code-build-debug cycle, leaving more complex workflows to full-featured IDEs like Visual Studio IDE.

Visual Studio Code is Free. Built on open source. Runs everywhere. By using VS Code, you agree to its license and privacy statement.

Visual Studio Code is a free coding editor that allows you to get started fast with coding. It allows you to code in any programming language without having to switch editors. Many languages are supported by Visual Studio Code, including Python, Java, C++, JavaScript, and others.

What is difference between Visual Studio and Visual Studio Code?

Visual Studio Code is an editor, whereas Visual Studio is an integrated development environment (IDE).

Visual Studio Code is cross-platform and quick, whereas Visual Studio is slow.

It should be noted that Visual Studio for Mac is now available, although it's a separate product from Visual Studio (Windows).

Visual Studio Code - A standalone source code editor that runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. The top pick for JavaScript and web developers, with extensions to support just about any programming language.

Visual Studio Code is Free to use text editor

PROS

• - Free to download and use
• - Lets users code in any language
• - Suitable for coding and debugging
• - Offers cross-platform support
• - Fit for beginner developers

CONS

• - Not suitable for complex workflows