SCEditor
SCEditor is a free, open-source WYSIWYG editor for BBCode and (X)HTML that can replace a textarea on a webpage.
What SCEditor is
SCEditor is a free, open-source WYSIWYG editor for BBCode and (X)HTML that can replace a textarea on a webpage. Add its JavaScript and CSS files, then initialize the editor where the textarea appears. Its formats convert editor input and output. Listed plugins include autosaving to localStorage, YouTube link embedding, drag and drop, emoji insertion, paste-format removal, and undo and redo. Downloadable themes include default, dark, modern, Office and square; the files page also lists a core editor build with jQuery integration. Forum integrations are listed for MyBB, phpBB 3.1.x, PunBB, Question2Answer and SMF, though some are described as premium or paid. The MIT license permits commercial and non-commercial use. Compatibility includes desktop Chrome/Chromium, Safari, Firefox, Edge and Opera, as well as mobile browsers including iOS 5+ and Android Browser on Android 4.0+. On browsers without WYSIWYG support, the editor is disabled by default and leaves the plain textarea; source mode can be enabled with an option. The documentation advises server-side BBCode conversion and sanitizing submitted HTML to prevent XSS.
Good
- Supports BBCode and (X)HTML.
- Can replace a webpage textarea.
- MIT license allows commercial and non-commercial use.
- Includes themes and plugins for common editing tasks.
- Lists desktop and mobile browser compatibility.
Watch out
- Some forum integrations are premium or paid.
- WYSIWYG is disabled by default where unsupported.
- Submitted HTML requires server-side sanitization.
Who it suits
SCEditor suits developers adding formatted BBCode or (X)HTML editing to a webpage. Its listed plugins, themes and forum integrations offer options for different site needs.
Verdict
SCEditor provides a free way to add BBCode or (X)HTML editing to a webpage, with themes and optional plugins. Integrators should account for its browser fallback behavior and follow the server-side security guidance.
Plans and prices
From SCEditor's own pricing page, checked 7 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| SCEditor | Free | MIT licensed software · commercial and non-commercial use permitted |
The facts
Each one read from SCEditor's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Compatibility
- The compatibility page lists desktop Chrome/Chromium, Safari, Firefox, Edge, and Opera, plus mobile Chrome, Firefox, iOS 5+, and Android Browser on Android 4.0+.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Formats
- Its BBCode and XHTML formats convert editor input and output.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Forum integrations
- The integrations page lists plugins for MyBB, phpBB 3.1.x, PunBB, Question2Answer, and SMF, with some described as premium or paid.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Integration
- SCEditor can replace a textarea by loading its JavaScript and CSS files and initializing the editor in a webpage.checked 7 Oct 2026
- jQuery
- The files page lists a core editor build with jQuery integration.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Licensing
- SCEditor is licensed under MIT, which the site says allows commercial and non-commercial use.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Mobile limitation
- On browsers without WYSIWYG support, the editor is disabled by default and leaves the plain textarea; source mode can be enabled with an option.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Plugins
- Listed plugins include autosave to localStorage, YouTube link embedding, drag and drop, emoji insertion, paste formatting removal, and undo/redo.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- SCEditor is a lightweight, open source WYSIWYG BBCode and (X)HTML editor.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Security guidance
- The documentation says BBCode should be converted to HTML on the server and that submitted HTML needs server-side sanitization to prevent XSS.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Support
- The author offers free support for basic questions and says commercial support is available by email.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Themes
- The downloadable files include default, dark, modern, Office, and square themes.checked 7 Oct 2026
The company
- Maker
- The site credits SCEditor to Sam Clarke and lists an email address for direct contact.checked 7 Oct 2026
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