Code editors are essential tools that allow web developers to create, edit, and manage code efficiently. These tools help developers write clean, error-free code, navigate through the codebase, identify issues, and debug errors, ultimately enhancing productivity. Whether you’re working on web or web application development, a good code editor is indispensable. There are plenty of free and premium options available online. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best code editors for web development in both categories.
We’ll also introduce three no-code tools that let you design entire websites without any coding. But first, let’s quickly review the key factors to consider when choosing a code editor.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Code Editors for Web Development
When choosing a code editor for your web development project, it’s crucial to consider several important factors:
1. Features and Functionalities
Your code editor should come equipped with key features like syntax highlighting to make code more readable, code folding to manage large sections of code and debugging tools to help identify and fix issues. Additionally, look for version control integration, robust plugin support, and customization options to tailor the editor to your workflow.
2. Ease of Use
The user interface of your code editor should be intuitive and user-friendly, allowing for smooth navigation. Features like split-screen view options can significantly enhance productivity by enabling you to work on multiple files or view different parts of the same file simultaneously. This ease of use helps you run and test your project in real time without unnecessary complications.
3. Compatibility
The code editor must support the programming languages and frameworks you frequently work with. Moreover, if you work across different operating systems, a cross-platform compatible editor will allow you to maintain a consistent workflow, whether you’re on Windows, macOS, or Linux.
4. Performance and Community Support
Performance is a critical factor, especially if you deal with large codebases. Your code editor should run efficiently without slowing down your development process. Additionally, an active community behind the editor can be a valuable resource, offering access to tutorials, forums, and extensive documentation to help you troubleshoot and learn new techniques.
5. Cost
Code editors are available in both free and premium versions. If you’re considering a premium editor, it’s important to evaluate whether the subscription or one-time purchase cost fits within your budget. Premium tools often offer advanced features and dedicated support, but it’s essential to weigh these benefits against the cost to ensure it provide good value for your investment.
Top 6 Free Code Editors for Web Development
Let’s dive into the main topic of this article: free code editors. While there are numerous free options available, we’ll highlight the top seven choices.
1. Visual Studio Code by Microsoft
Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is a versatile code editor that works seamlessly across all major platforms: Windows, Mac, and Linux, making it an excellent choice for developers using various operating systems. It supports a broad array of programming languages, including Java, JavaScript, JSON, PHP, C++, C#, TypeScript, Python, and more.
Created by Microsoft with the Electron framework, VS Code integrates multiple technologies and languages with native app features. Its functionality can be further enhanced through a variety of extensions.
Key features of Visual Studio Code include:
- Cross-platform support (Windows, Mac, and Linux)
- Compatibility with over 10 programming languages
- Built-in debugging capabilities for effective step-through debugging and code issue resolution
- IntelliSense for intelligent code suggestions and auto-completion
- Integrated version control with Git
- A vast selection of extensions and plugins
2. Codeshare.io
Unlike the previously mentioned software editors, Codeshare is a browser-based code editor, which means it’s accessible from any device. It supports several programming languages, including PHP, C#, SCSS, CSS, and HTML, making it an excellent choice for scenarios such as recruitment and live online coding sessions.
While it may not be suited for writing large codebases, Codeshare is particularly useful for quickly switching devices, using others’ devices, or sharing code with collaborators. It’s also beneficial for running online coding courses.
Key features of Codeshare.io include:
- Real-time code sharing with collaborators
- Over 20 customizable theme options
- Keymap compatibility with editors like Sublime, Vim, and Emacs
- A settings tab for adjusting preferences, downloading text files, and more
3. Bluefish
Bluefish is a versatile code editor that supports a wide range of platforms beyond the previous options, including Windows, Mac, Linux, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, Solaris, and more. It accommodates numerous programming languages such as PHP, JavaScript, SQL, Perl, JSP, Python, Ruby, Java, and Vala.
Bluefish features a snippet sidebar offering keyboard shortcuts, custom dialogues, auto-completion, and document auto-recovery. Its customizable user interface allows for colour adjustments and language settings, enhancing navigation and usability.
The editor supports full-screen editing with capabilities for unlimited undo and redo actions, along with advanced search and replace functions.
Key features of the Bluefish Code Editor include:
- Multi-document interface support
- Powerful search and replace functionality
- Lightweight design suitable for low-resource devices
- Customizable programming languages and environments
- Easy command management with options to enable, disable, or reset commands
- Integration with remote file systems (FTP, SFTP, HTTP, HTTPS, WebDAV, CIFS)
4. Atom- Code Editors for Web Development
Bluefish is a versatile code editor that supports a wide range of platforms beyond the previous options, including Windows, Mac, Linux, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, Solaris, and more. It accommodates numerous programming languages such as PHP, JavaScript, SQL, Perl, JSP, Python, Ruby, Java, and Vala.
Bluefish features a snippet sidebar offering keyboard shortcuts, custom dialogues, auto-completion, and document auto-recovery. Its customizable user interface allows for colour adjustments and language settings, enhancing navigation and usability.
The editor supports full-screen editing with capabilities for unlimited undo and redo actions, along with advanced search and replace functions.
Key features of the Bluefish Code Editor include:
- Multi-document interface support
- Powerful search and replace functionality
- Lightweight design suitable for low-resource devices
- Customizable programming languages and environments
- Easy command management with options to enable, disable, or reset commands
- Integration with remote file systems (FTP, SFTP, HTTP, HTTPS, WebDAV, CIFS)
5. Vim- Code Editors for Web Development
Vim is a highly configurable text editor designed for efficient text creation and modification. Building on the original Vi editor, Vim offers a range of advanced features and is compatible with major platforms including Windows, Mac, Unix, Linux, and Amiga.
This code editor supports virtually all programming languages. While its initial interface may appear complex, you can customize it to resemble simpler editors like Notepad++. Unlike many editors focused on code writing, Vim excels in code review, bug fixing, and functionality testing.
Key features of the Vim Code Editor include:
- Command-centric operation for executing numerous tasks with minimal commands
- Extendable functionality through various plugins
- Support for multiple buffers, akin to multiple windows
- Recording system to capture and replay Vim commands
- The gamified learning process for mastering Vim
- A strong community of users and contributors
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6. Sublime Text
Sublime Text is well-suited for handling large projects and extensive coding tasks. It offers compatibility across all major platforms, including Windows, Mac, and Linux. Supporting a wide range of programming languages such as Java, C++, Python, PHP, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, it provides a versatile coding environment.
The editor boasts a rich ecosystem of community-developed plugins, allowing for extensive customization and enhancement of its features. Its code autocompletion functionality helps minimize typing errors by suggesting relevant code snippets, variable names, and function names.
Sublime Text enables the creation of new files within your existing project folders, ensuring that all files are automatically saved in the selected directory.
Key features of Sublime Text include:
- Multiple Cursors: Manage multiple cursors at once for efficient editing.
- Command Palette: Quickly access various commands and features.
- Goto Anything: Navigate to files, symbols, or specific lines swiftly.
- Direct Code Execution: Run code directly from the editor.
- Multiple Selection: Locate, modify, rename, and manipulate lines of code easily.
- Extensive Keyboard Shortcuts: Enhance overall productivity with numerous shortcuts.
7. WebStorm- Code Editors for Web Development
WebStorm, created by the acclaimed software company JetBrains, is a robust Integrated Development Environment (IDE) tailored for web developers. It is compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux, making it suitable for a wide range of web development projects, from small to large-scale.
The IDE supports key web technologies such as JavaScript, TypeScript, React, Angular, and Vue.js. It features an advanced coding assistant that speeds up code writing with auto-completion for modules, variables, classes, and functions.
WebStorm also offers real-time error detection, providing suggestions to resolve issues and ensure a clean and efficient codebase.
Notable features of WebStorm include:
- Integrated Debugging Tools: Set breakpoints, inspect variables, and debug your code effectively.
- Advanced Navigation: Easily move between methods, functions, and variables with powerful navigation tools.
- Refactoring Capabilities: Rename files, folders, and symbols with ease.
- Context-Sensitive Auto-Completion: Enjoy intelligent suggestions based on your code’s context and framework.
- Support for Tools: Integrates with Stylelint, ESLint, and Git for enhanced functionality.
- Customization Options: Tailor the IDE’s settings, keymaps, and behaviour to match your development needs.
8. PhpStorm- Code Editors for Web Development
PhpStorm, another standout product from JetBrains, serves as a focused alternative to WebStorm. Although both are developed by JetBrains and provide Integrated Development Environments (IDEs), they cater to different programming needs.
PhpStorm is tailored specifically for PHP developers, offering advanced features for PHP coding, debugging, and support for various PHP frameworks. It operates on Windows, Mac, and Linux, and extends its functionality to technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, along with full-stack PHP.
Key features of the PhpStorm Code Editor include:
- Framework Compatibility: Supports major web frameworks such as WordPress, Drupal, Joomla, and Laravel.
- Version Control Integration: Compatible with Git, SVN, and Mercurial.
- Enhanced Auto-Completion: Includes refactoring tools, error prevention, and more.
- Customizable Shortcuts: Allows you to personalize keymaps to your preferences.
- Advanced JavaScript Support: Features validation, quick fixes, and JSDoc annotations.
- PHP Version Support: Compatible with all recent versions of PHP.
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9. BBEdit- Code Editors for Web Development
BBEdit is a top choice for Mac users seeking a dedicated code editor. Developed by Bare Bones Software, it offers a user-friendly interface suitable for both novices and experienced developers. BBEdit supports various programming languages, such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, and Ruby.
The editor features intelligent syntax highlighting and collapsible code sections for better readability. Its powerful search and replace-functionality allows for quick and efficient modification of specific strings or patterns in your codebase.
Key features of BBEdit include:
- Text and Code Editing: Supports both text editing and coding tasks.
- Project Management: Helps organize files, folders, and codebases effectively.
- Syntax Highlighting: Provides easy navigation and color-coded syntax.
- Compatibility: Works with Apple Silicon and integrates with Dropbox or iCloud Drive.
- File Sharing: Compatible with FTP and SFTP for easy file sharing.
10. UltraEdit- Code Editors for Web Development
UltraEdit provides a versatile alternative to BBEdit, offering compatibility with Windows, Linux, and Mac systems. It is designed to be lightweight and efficient, requiring minimal RAM due to its desk-based text editing capabilities.
The editor is highly customizable, allowing users to adjust the appearance of the menu, toolbar, status bar, and dockable panes to suit their preferences. Its auto-hide feature helps keep the workspace tidy by hiding less essential elements.
Key features of UltraEdit include:
- Broad Language Support: Works with a wide range of programming languages.
- Advanced Editing: Supports multi-caret and multi-select functionality.
- Efficient Project Management: Simplifies organization and management of files and projects.
- Robust Search and Replace: Offers powerful search and replace tools.
- Handling Large Files: Capable of managing extensive files and projects.
- Integrated Remote File Access: Includes built-in FTP and SSH for seamless remote file management.
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Which Code Editor Will You Choose
With users today demanding more secure and user-friendly web technologies, developers are always on the lookout for the next best code editor. Once they discover one that offers better features or improved performance, they don’t hesitate to make the switch and embrace the new tool.
While there are many other code editors available beyond those we’ve discussed, the ones mentioned in this post have earned their spot due to their popularity, reliability, and glowing reviews from the developer community. Whether you’re just starting out or are an experienced coder, it’s worth considering these options for your next project.
Have you tried any of these editors? Which one piques your interest the most? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments—we’d love to hear which tool you’ll be testing out next!
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