18.3
Cursor is a coding agent for building software, with a desktop app for macOS, Windows, and Linux.
Free planiOSWebAPI
Best Editor Software in 2026
Editor software helps you write and change code or other text. This category includes tools with free plans, paid options and trials, plus open-source projects. Android support is a key check for phone and tablet users. Compare platform listings for Android, web, Windows, macOS, Linux and API access before choosing a tool.
27.6
Zed is a code editor for macOS, Windows, and Linux, with a free Personal plan and paid Pro and Business options.
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows
37.4
Geany is a free, lightweight integrated development environment for Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Free planOpen sourceLinuxmacOSWindows
- 4
Lapce
Lapce is a free, open-source code editor written in Rust for Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Free planOpen sourceExtensionLinuxmacOSWindows7.4Free plan - 5
Visual Studio Code
Visual Studio Code is a free, open-source code editor with AI-assisted development tools for macOS, Linux, Windows and the web.
Free planWebLinuxmacOSWindows7.4Free plan - 6
Neovim
Neovim is a free, Vim-based text editor designed for extensibility and usability.
Free planAndroidAPILinuxmacOS7.3Free plan - 7
GNU Emacs
GNU Emacs is a free, extensible text editor built around an interpreter for Emacs Lisp.
Free planAndroidLinuxmacOSWindows7.2Free plan - 8
BBEdit
BBEdit is a professional HTML and text editor for macOS aimed at writers, web authors, and software developers.
Free planmacOS7.0Free plan - 9
Lite XL
Lite XL is a free, lightweight text editor written in C and Lua, with a bundle smaller than 5MB.
Free planAndroidWebLinuxmacOS7.0Free plan - 10
Bluefish
Bluefish is a free, open-source desktop editor for programmers and web developers writing websites, scripts, and code.
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows6.9Free plan - 11
Micro
Micro is a free terminal-based text editor for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows6.9Free plan - 12
Textastic
iOSmacOS6.9 - 13
TextMate
Free planmacOS6.9Free plan - 14
6.8 - 15
VSCodium
VSCodium is a free, community-driven desktop distribution of Microsoft's VS Code editor for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows6.7Free plan - 16
Nova
Nova is a Mac-native code editor and IDE for editing, debugging, version control, and remote files.
macOS6.6 - 17
Textadept
Textadept is a free, open-source text editor for programmers, with graphical and terminal interfaces for Windows, macOS, Linux, and BSD.
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows6.6Free plan - 18
CudaText
CudaText is a free, open-source text editor written in Object Pascal for Windows, Linux, and macOS.
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows6.5Free plan - 19
EditPlus
Windows6.5$35 one-time - 20
GNU nano
GNU nano is a free text editor made as an alternative to Pico, with additional editing functions while aiming to remain compatible with it.
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows6.5Free plan - 21
Vim
Vim is a configurable text editor for creating and changing text, with uses including programming, composing email and editing configuration files.
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows6.5Free plan - 22
jEdit
jEdit is a Java-based text editor for programmers, available for Linux, macOS, and Windows, with support also listed for Unix/Linux, Mac OS X, VMS, and OS/2.
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows6.4Free plan - 23
Kakoune
Free planLinuxmacOS6.4Free plan - 24
Pulsar
Pulsar is a free, open-source desktop text editor and a community-led fork of the discontinued Atom editor.
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows6.4Free plan - 256.3Free plan
Choosing well
Check the platform first
Android, web, Windows, macOS, Linux and API access appear across this category. Confirm that the editor supports the device where you plan to work.
A web editor may suit a Chromebook or shared computer, while a desktop editor may fit offline work.
Compare cost and licence
Listings include free plans, freemium tools, paid software and free trials. Check the paid-from price and what the free plan includes before committing.
Open-source code is available from tools in this category. Read the licence if you need to change, share or redistribute the editor.
Look for coding assistance
AI coding assistant support is one comparison point in the list. Check whether that feature matches your workflow and platform needs.
Review extensions and debugging
Extensions can add language or workflow support, while debugging tools help inspect and fix code. Compare both fields when your projects need them.
Consider live collaboration
Live collaboration support matters when people edit together. Check this field alongside platform access and account requirements.
Questions people ask
Are Android editors included?
Android is one of the platforms represented in this category. Check an individual listing to confirm Android support before installing or subscribing.
Can I find a free editor?
Yes. The category includes free plans and free software, along with freemium and paid tools. Review the pricing note for the editor you are considering.
Are free trials available?
A free trial is offered by tools in this category. Trial length and terms can differ, so read the listing before starting.
Is open-source editor software listed?
Open-source code is offered by tools in this category. Check the project licence to understand how you may use or modify it.
Which features can I compare?
Listings compare free plan, paid-from price, platforms, AI coding assistant, extensions, debugging tools and live collaboration.