Ranked on the record · 82 apps

Best Text Editors 2026

Plain-text and code editors let you create and revise text on desktop, mobile, web and self-hosted systems. This list helps buyers compare platform coverage, pricing and editing tools.

Compare listed free access, starting paid prices, trial terms and tools including multi-cursor editing, macro recording, column editing, large-file handling and extensions. The page has no published ranking basis, so its order can change.

Zed

by Zed

Zed suits developers looking for a code editor with Git tools, extensions, and options for remote development.

Free plan Free trial From $10 a month WindowsMacLinux

Record8.2 Visit site The record

Neovim

Neovim is an extensible editor that runs on Android, Linux, macOS and Windows.

AndroidWindowsMac+3

Record7.8 Visit

GNU Emacs

GNU Emacs is a free, extensible text editor for GNU/Linux, Windows, macOS, Android and more.

AndroidWindowsMac+1

Record7.8 Visit

BBEdit

BBEdit is a freemium, extensible text editor for macOS.

Mac

Record7.8 Visit

Visual Studio Code

Visual Studio Code runs in browsers and on Linux, macOS and Windows with extension support.

WebWindowsMac+1

Record7.7 Visit

Microsoft Editor

Microsoft Editor is a freemium browser extension and mobile app that provides style suggestions.

WebWindowsMac+1 Free plan Record7.6 Visit

Kate

Kate suits people editing text or code who want split document views, language-aware editing, and extensible tools.

WindowsMacLinux Free plan Record7.3 Visit

Vim

Vim is a free, extensible text editor for Windows, macOS and Linux.

WindowsMacLinux Free plan Record7.3 Visit

EmEditor

EmEditor is a freemium, extensible text editor for Windows.

Windows $5 a month, billed yearly Record7.2 Visit

UltraEdit

WindowsMacLinux — Record7.2 Visit

Geany

Geany is a free, open-source, extensible text editor for Windows, macOS and Linux.

WindowsMacLinux Free plan Record7.2 Visit

SlickEdit

WindowsMacLinux $125 one-time Record7.2 Visit

Lapce

Lapce is a Rust code editor available on Windows, Linux and macOS.

WindowsMacLinux+1 Free plan Record7.2 Visit

Sublime Text

WindowsMacLinux — Record7.1 Visit

Notepad++

Notepad++ is a free, extensible text editor for Windows.

Windows Free plan Record7.0 Visit

jEdit

jEdit is an extensible editor for Windows, Linux, macOS, VMS and OS/2.

WindowsMacLinux Free plan Record7.0 Visit

Calmly Writer

Calmly Writer is a focused writing editor for Android, Linux, macOS, the web and Windows.

AndroidWebWindows+2 Free plan Record7.0 Visit

SciTE

SciTE is a free, extensible text editor for Windows, macOS and Linux.

WindowsMacLinux Free plan Record6.9 Visit

KWrite

KWrite suits people seeking a free editor for Linux, Windows, or macOS with programming-oriented editing features.

WindowsMacLinux Free plan Record6.8 Visit

Helix

Helix suits programmers who prefer terminal editing and want multiple-selection workflows with language server features.

WindowsMacLinux Free plan Record6.7 Visit

Bluefish

Bluefish suits programmers and web developers who want a desktop editor for code and websites, with support for many languages, projects, and remote files.

WindowsMacLinux Free plan Record6.7 Visit

Textastic

Textastic is a freemium text editor for macOS and iOS.

iPhone & iPadMac Free plan Record6.7 Visit

GNU nano

GNU nano is an extensible editor for Linux, Windows and macOS.

WindowsMacLinux Free plan Record6.6 Visit

CudaText

CudaText suits developers and advanced or desktop users who want a free editor with language-aware features and configurable extensions.

WindowsMacLinux Free plan Record6.5 Visit

gedit

WindowsMacLinux Free plan Record6.4 Visit

Before you choose

Match the editor to your platform

Check support for Windows, macOS, Linux, web, Android or a self-hosted setup before choosing. Platform availability differs across the list.

If you move between devices, confirm that the editor supports the systems you plan to use.

Compare free access and trials

Review the Free plan and Paid from fields together. Basic use may be available at no cost, while a paid tier can show the starting price for broader access.

A trial period lets you assess an editor for a limited time. Check the listed trial term before you decide.

Choose the editing controls you need

Check the multi-cursor, macro-recording and column-editing fields against the way you work.

These controls address different tasks, so prioritize the fields tied to how you write and revise text.

Check large-file handling

For large documents or source files, review the large-file handling field before selecting an editor.

Review extension support

Extension support can affect how an editor fits your workflow. Compare this field when add-ons or custom tools matter.

When code access or changes are important, review the editor's licence and whether it is open source.

Questions

Which platforms are covered?

The list includes editors for Windows, macOS, Linux, web, Android and self-hosted setups.

Can I find a free text editor?

Free-plan status is shown for each listed editor. Examples with a free plan include Neovim, Kate, Lite XL and Visual Studio Code.

Are free trials listed?

Yes. The list records free-trial availability and the stated trial term when provided.

What features are compared?

For each editor, the fields show free-plan availability, the starting paid price, supported platforms, multi-cursor editing, macro recording, column editing, large-file handling and extension support.

Are open-source editors included?

Yes. Open-source status is part of the list's editor information, so you can check it when licence access matters.

Zed

Neovim

GNU Emacs

BBEdit

Visual Studio Code

Before you choose

Match the editor to your platform

Compare free access and trials

Choose the editing controls you need

Check large-file handling

Review extension support

Questions

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