11 Free Code Editors (For Windows Linux Mac)

So you have just started programming and wondering which is the “best” code editor out there? Or maybe you are a veteran code ninja looking for a “change of editor”? Here are some free code editors that I found on the Internet, and my personal take on them – Read on!

P.S. This list is in “kind of recommended” order, whichever came to my mind first.

 

 

1) VISUAL STUDIO CODE (VSCODE)

Microsoft’s VSCode is one of the world’s most popular code editors at the time of writing. It’s not difficult to see why after you use it for a few days – It is fast, customizable, has a ton of plugins, and has a huge community if you need help.

5/5 Features	Has a ton of extensions and features – Git, code highlighting, auto-correction, automated testing, benchmarking, database tools, themes, and even AI.
4/5 Performance	After years of development, VSCode still seems relatively fast and free of bloated features.
3.5/5 UI & UX	The interface requires some time to figure out, but nothing too complex.
4.5/5 Overall	A “highly usable” code editor, complete with a ton of extensions, and a huge community for support.

 

2) NETBEANS

NetBeans is an oldie that has been around since the late 1990s, and it has a long history of being “passed” from company to company. Notably Sun Microsystems, Oracle, and now Apache Software Foundation. This was one of my favorites until it got way too bloated.

4/5 Features	Although not as popular as it used to be, Netbeans still has plenty of plugins and all the features you need as a mature editor.
3/5 Performance	Netbeans went from lightweight, to bloated, and it’s “kind of acceptable” now… Given how much processing power and memory an average modern PC has.
2.5/5 UI & UX	Beginners, brace yourselves. Netbeans has many menus and toolbars, it will take a lot of time to explore all of them.
3.5/5 Overall	I will not consider Netbeans to be “one of the best”, but it’s a good mature code editor. Plus, it’s still being maintained and updated.

 

 

3) ECLIPSE

Eclipse is another oldie that has been around since the 2000s. It is a project started by IBM and has enjoyed “a moment of fame” as the preferred IDE to develop Android apps – Until it was officially taken over by Android Studio.

4/5 Features	Being another Mature editor, Eclipse has a lot of extensions and themes.
3/5 Performance	Modern computers should be able to handle Eclipse with no issues. Just don’t expect “lightweight and fast”.
2.5/5 UI & UX	Another one with a lot of menu and toolbars. Takes time to get used to.
3.5/5 Overall	Not the best, but still a very good and mature editor.

 

4) LAPCE

Lapce is an editor that I stumbled upon on GitHub. It is built on Rust, and touts itself to be “lightweight and lightning fast”. There is already quite a buzz on their GitHub page, so take a look if you are interested.

4/5 Features	Has all the basics you need, plus a long list of plugins and themes.
4/5 Performance	Well, they did say it is “lightweight and lightning fast”.
3.5/5 UI & UX	Needs some time to figure out, but nothing too bad.
4/5 Overall	An editor that is worth taking a look at.

 

 

5) BRACKETS.IO

Brackets.io is a code editor that was once backed by Adobe… Adobe then decided to pull out, and the community has now taken over.

3.5/5 Features	Brackets is also a mature code editor. Has a long list of extensions and themes.
4/5 Performance	A fast code editor.
4/5 UI & UX	Clutter-free and easy to use.
3.5/5 Overall	While Brackets is not as popular as VSCode, it is still a decent code editor.

 

6) PHOENIX CODE EDITOR

To keep the long story short, Phoenix is an online code editor by the same Brackets community team. Yes, you read that right. An online editor that is platform-independent, no need to install anything. Just access the website.

3.5/5 Features	An interesting online editor, there are even plugins and themes to choose from.
3/5 Performance	The thing about web-based editors, the performance is dependent on the browser itself. Use Chrome, and you can be sure that it consumes a lot of RAM.
4/5 UI & UX	Relatively clutter-free and easy to use.
3.5/5 Overall	An interesting online alternative if you don’t want to download and install anything.

 

 

7) ATOM COMMUNITY

Atom used to be GitHub’s “official code editor” and one of my favorites. But ever since Microsoft took over, they decided to shelf Atom in favor of VSCode. It’s still kind of being kept alive by the community, but the lack of updates and development is not looking too bright.

3/5 Features	Community branch of a mature code editor. It has all the basic features, but the plugins are gone now.
4/5 Performance	One of the “faster and fuss-free” editors that I have used.
4/5 UI & UX	Just close some of those “unused extra tabs”, and Atom is as simple and clean as it gets.
3/5 Overall	There is potential to make Atom great again. But the lack of development, support, and an active community is not looking good.

 

8) PULSTAR

Pulstar is another code editor that rose from the ashes of Atom. It is pretty much based on Atom, so it has the same essence of “good usability” as Atom.

3/5 Features	Another branch of Atom. It has all the basic features, but the plugins and themes are gone.
4/5 Performance	A fast code editor.
4/5 UI & UX	Simple, clean, and uncluttered.
3.5/5 Overall	Pulstar seems to be “more updated” than the “official community branch”. But the lack of plugins and an active community are still a huge pain.

 

 

9) LITE XL

Lite XL is another “lightweight and lightning-fast” editor. But I have to say – This one stays true to that statement. There’s no installer, just download and launch; Very portable, and good for you guys who are working off low-powered PCs.

3/5 Features	Has basic features, but a general lack of plugins and themes.
4.5/5 Performance	Yep. This is probably one of the fastest and lightest editors I have used… Aside from “Notepad” and “Vim”.
4/5 UI & UX	Very clean and simple interface.
3.5/5 Overall	It’s OK as a fast and lightweight editor. If you want “features and convenience”, look for something else.

 

10) NOTEPAD++

Notepad++ is a lightweight code editor. It runs fast, supports a ton of different programming languages, and there’s nothing much to complain about this nifty free tool. The sad part, however, is that Notepad++ is only available for Windows.

2.5/5 Features	Basic code editor, don’t expect “complex features”.
4.5/5 Performance	Not bloated with any “extra features”. Runs fast and clean.
4/5 UI & UX	Feels like “any other word processor”.
3/5 Overall	For people who just want a simple code editor that is “better than Notepad”.

 

 

11) NOTETAB LIGHT

Notetab, as they claim, is a multiple award-winning editor. But I think it is just a good improvement over the “default Windows Notepad”, with a few useful functions. Well, if you want a fuss-free and straightforward editor, this one is for you.

2/5 Features	A basic code and text editor.
5/5 Performance	As simple as it gets, as fast as it can get.
4/5 UI & UX	Basically “Notepad Plus”.
3/5 Overall	If you don’t want to use Notepad, but still want the simplicity.

 

EXTRAS – “ABANDONWARE”

Here is a list of editors that have not been updated “in a while”… Just in case you are interested.

• Arachnophilia
• jEdit
• Komodo IDE
• Bluefish