Zed
by ZedZed 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
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Best Text Editors 2026
Facts read 28 Sep 2026 – 15 Oct 2026
Zed leads this list of 82 (record score 8.1, free plan). BBEdit is next (record score 7.8, free plan), and Neovim is the next highest-placed with a free plan (record score 7.7).
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.
The standings: top 10
| Name | In a line | Record score | Price from | Try it free | Runs on | Facts read |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 Zed | Zed suits developers looking for a code editor with Git tools, extensions, and options for remote development. | 8.1 | $10 a month | Free plan | Windows, Mac, Linux | 28 Sep 2026 |
| 02 BBEdit | BBEdit is a freemium, extensible text editor for macOS. | 7.8 | Free plan | Free plan | Mac | 4 Oct 2026 |
| 03 Neovim | Neovim is an extensible editor that runs on Android, Linux, macOS and Windows. | 7.7 | Free plan | Free plan | Android, Windows, Mac, Linux | 30 Sep 2026 |
| 04 GNU Emacs | GNU Emacs is a free, extensible text editor for GNU/Linux, Windows, macOS, Android and more. | 7.7 | Free plan | Free plan | Android, Windows, Mac, Linux | 28 Sep 2026 |
| 05 Visual Studio Code | Visual Studio Code runs in browsers and on Linux, macOS and Windows with extension support. | 7.6 | Free plan | Free plan | Web, Windows, Mac, Linux | 29 Sep 2026 |
| 06 Microsoft Editor | Microsoft Editor is a freemium browser extension and mobile app that provides style suggestions. | 7.6 | Free plan | Free plan | Web, Windows, Mac, Browser extension | 9 Oct 2026 |
| 07 Kate | Kate suits people editing text or code who want split document views, language-aware editing, and extensible tools. | 7.2 | Free plan | Free plan | Windows, Mac, Linux | 4 Oct 2026 |
| 08 Vim | Vim is a free, extensible text editor for Windows, macOS and Linux. | 7.2 | Free plan | Free plan | Windows, Mac, Linux | 7 Oct 2026 |
| 09 Geany | Geany is a free, open-source, extensible text editor for Windows, macOS and Linux. | 7.2 | Free plan | Free plan | Windows, Mac, Linux | 15 Oct 2026 |
| 10 Lapce | Lapce is a Rust code editor available on Windows, Linux and macOS. | 7.2 | Free plan | Free plan | Windows, Mac, Linux, Browser extension | 15 Oct 2026 |
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.
02
BBEdit
BBEdit is a freemium, extensible text editor for macOS.
Mac Record7.8 Visit
03
Neovim
Neovim is an extensible editor that runs on Android, Linux, macOS and Windows.
AndroidWindowsMac+3 Record7.7 Visit
04
GNU Emacs
GNU Emacs is a free, extensible text editor for GNU/Linux, Windows, macOS, Android and more.
AndroidWindowsMac+1 Record7.7 Visit
05
Visual Studio Code
Visual Studio Code runs in browsers and on Linux, macOS and Windows with extension support.
WebWindowsMac+1 Record7.6 Visit
6
Microsoft Editor
WebWindowsMac+1 Free plan Record7.6 Visit Microsoft Editor is a freemium browser extension and mobile app that provides style suggestions.
7
Kate
WindowsMacLinux Free plan Record7.2 Visit Kate suits people editing text or code who want split document views, language-aware editing, and extensible tools.
8
Vim
WindowsMacLinux Free plan Record7.2 Visit Vim is a free, extensible text editor for Windows, macOS and Linux.
9
Geany
WindowsMacLinux Free plan Record7.2 Visit Geany is a free, open-source, extensible text editor for Windows, macOS and Linux.
10
Lapce
WindowsMacLinux+1 Free plan Record7.2 Visit Lapce is a Rust code editor available on Windows, Linux and macOS.
11
EmEditor
Windows $5 a month, billed yearly Record7.1 Visit EmEditor is a freemium, extensible text editor for Windows.
14
Calmly Writer
AndroidWebWindows+2 Free plan Record7.0 Visit Calmly Writer is a focused writing editor for Android, Linux, macOS, the web and Windows.
15
Notepad++
Windows Free plan Record6.9 Visit Notepad++ is a free, extensible text editor for Windows.
16
jEdit
WindowsMacLinux Free plan Record6.9 Visit jEdit is an extensible editor for Windows, Linux, macOS, VMS and OS/2.
17
SciTE
WindowsMacLinux Free plan Record6.8 Visit SciTE is a free, extensible text editor for Windows, macOS and Linux.
18
KWrite
WindowsMacLinux Free plan Record6.8 Visit KWrite suits people seeking a free editor for Linux, Windows, or macOS with programming-oriented editing features.
19
Helix
WindowsMacLinux Free plan Record6.6 Visit Helix suits programmers who prefer terminal editing and want multiple-selection workflows with language server features.
21
Bluefish
WindowsMacLinux Free plan Record6.6 Visit Bluefish suits programmers and web developers who want a desktop editor for code and websites, with support for many languages, projects, and remote files.
22
Textastic
iPhone & iPadMac Free plan Record6.6 Visit Textastic is a freemium text editor for macOS and iOS.
23
GNU nano
WindowsMacLinux Free plan Record6.5 Visit GNU nano is an extensible editor for Linux, Windows and macOS.
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.
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