SubEthaEdit
SubEthaEdit is a free, open-source plain text editor for macOS, designed for collaborative articles, code, notes, and meeting minutes.
What SubEthaEdit is
SubEthaEdit is a free, open-source plain text editor for macOS, designed for collaborative articles, code, notes, and meeting minutes. People can work together over a local network, or over the internet when port forwarding is enabled and a shared link is used. Participants may receive different document permissions, follow one another, or display selected text. Editing includes fine-grained undo, simultaneous changes across multiple lines, split views, and regular-expression search and replace. The editor previews HTML and can reload that preview when referenced CSS or JavaScript files are saved. Syntax modes cover formats and languages including C, C++, CSS, HTML, JavaScript, JSON, Markdown, Python, Ruby, and XML. Users can customize syntax styles, while modes can supply scripts such as color pickers or linters. AppleScript support and the `see` command-line tool allow system-editor use and text piping. The project is distributed under the MIT license. The maker suggests it for extreme programming, tutoring, and creative writing. Version 5.0.2 is the latest release supporting OS X El Capitan 10.11; the FAQ points to macOS High Sierra 10.13 as the earlier-version threshold.
Good
- Free and open source
- Collaborative local or internet editing
- Granular participant permissions
- Regular-expression search and replace
- Broad syntax mode selection
Watch out
- macOS only
- Internet collaboration requires port forwarding
- Older OS support ends at version 5.0.2
- Plain text editor rather than full document suite
Who it suits
It suits Mac users who want collaborative plain-text editing for writing, coding, tutoring, or meetings. It also fits people needing syntax modes, HTML preview, and scripting support.
Verdict
SubEthaEdit combines collaborative editing with developer-friendly text tools and macOS integrations. Its free MIT-licensed distribution is useful for shared writing and code, provided the platform and networking requirements fit.
Plans and prices
From SubEthaEdit's own pricing page, checked 4 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| SubEthaEdit | Free | Free and open source · MIT license |
The facts
Each one read from SubEthaEdit's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Access controls
- Document participants can be given different access permissions, and collaborators can follow one another or be shown selected text.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Collaboration
- People can collaborate over a local network, or over the internet when port forwarding is enabled and a link is shared.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Compatibility limit
- The FAQ says version 5.0.2 is the latest version supporting OS X El Capitan 10.11; it points users to macOS High Sierra 10.13 as the earlier-version threshold.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Customization
- Users can customize syntax styles, and modes can provide scripts such as color pickers or linters.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Editing
- Features include fine grained undo, editing multiple lines at once, split views, and search and replace with regular expressions.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- SubEthaEdit supports AppleScript and includes the `see` command line tool for using it as a system editor and piping text in or out.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The maker describes the app as suitable for extreme programming sessions, tutoring, and creative writing.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Language support
- The app ships with syntax modes for languages and formats including C, C++, CSS, HTML, JavaScript, JSON, Markdown, Python, Ruby, and XML.checked 4 Oct 2026
- License
- The project is distributed under the MIT license.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Preview
- The app previews HTML and can reload the preview when referenced CSS or JavaScript files are saved.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- SubEthaEdit is a plain text editor for writing articles, code, notes, and meeting minutes collaboratively.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maker directs users to create a GitHub issue or send an email if the app misbehaves or they are interested in new features.checked 4 Oct 2026
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