Finest HTML editors
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Everybody makes mistakes.
Some big, some small, but some are downright annoying.
And one of the most notorious headache causing mistakes you make is messing up your code.
Coding is everything when it comes to web development. So you just have to get it right to improve security and avoid disruption in the future.
Fortunately, there is a very effective solution to ensuring this.
Just as grammar and Hemingway can improve your text by checking for spelling mistakes and improving readability, web developers can use HTML editors to write and improve their code.
Even those with no programming skills can create websites and put them online.
Coding becomes faster and easier thanks, among other things, to the spell check, syntax highlighting, and auto-completion of the HTML editors.
In this guide, I'm going to take a look at the best HTML editors available to take your websites to the next level without a lot of effort and time.
Excited? Let's dive right in!
# 1 – Atom – The best for advanced customization
Atom is a free, open source code editor developed by the GitHub team and maintained by the GitHub community. It has enough packages and collections of topics, runs easily, and loads super fast, which makes this HTML editor one of the best you can find.
It's a modernized WYSIWYG HTML editor available for Windows, Mac, and Linux and designed for collaboration. Whether you're a newbie or a seasoned professional, Atom is everyone's favorite with its premium feel and customization flexibility.
Imagine an advanced text editor that has several features that are usually limited to high-level coding programs.
It also comes with a hackable text editor! This feature allows developers to edit, extend, modify, and release the program's source code, as well as design their own packages to improve Atom.
Multiple window support is another feature that I like. You can split the user interface into as many windows as you need to compare and write code side by side.
Other features include syntax correction and highlighting, autocomplete, project management, and teletype (users can collaborate with other developers in real time).
Atom is completely free! So you don't have to pay any money to use this excellent editor.
# 2 – Notepad ++ – Best for front-end developers and web designers
Notepad ++ is one of the most popular HTML editors used by millions around the world. It is an open code editor that offers multilingual support that is not limited to just HTML and CSS.
One of the main reasons that Notepad ++ is so popular is its feature-rich user interface.
You get syntax folding, syntax highlighting, multi-view, document map, multi-document interface, autocomplete, bookmarks and a fully customizable GUI. And even after this long list, there is more.
Notepad ++ was designed for Windows based computers, however Linux users can use it through Wine. As the name suggests, this editor is similar to an updated version of the Notepad software that is already available in Windows by default. You can also get the repository on GitHub.
A mobile version is also available if you wish.
Environmentalists would love Notepad ++ too. It has programs that run on less CPU power to reduce CO2 emissions.
Notepad ++ is free for everyone! So you don't have to worry about extra money or hidden costs.
# 3 – Brackets – The best for beginners
Brackets is another widely used HTML editor for programmers compatible with various operating systems such as Windows, Mac, and Linux. It comes with a built-in package manager that allows users to locate and install any supported package they like.
I recommend this open source HTML editor to beginners for its smart auto-complete feature that makes coding incredibly fast and accurate.
Bracket's coding user interface can be broken down into multiple sections, making writing and comparing codes between different files easy and accurate. You can access files on your PC via the integrated file system browser.
In addition, it has a search and replace feature that allows developers to tweak the code if necessary. This can be useful for beginners and seasoned professionals alike to ensure their website stays up to date.
Styling and customization are super simple and straightforward, so coding with brackets never gets boring.
The pre-installed syntax topics offer dark and noticeable light colors. With no shortage of packages on the platform, you can add as many features as you want based on your use case and preference.
Brackets is completely free! You can download it directly from the official website.
# 4 – Raised Text – Best for multi language support
Sublime Text is the enhanced version of Notepad ++. It comes with the standard functionality of Notepad ++ as well as more modern features to meet the demanding needs of experienced users.
You get cross-platform support, split editing, multi-choice editing, proprietary command palette, and syntax editing to make web development easy. The editor is incredibly powerful and promises high performance. However, in exchange for that flexibility and strength, you have a steeper learning curve ahead of you.
One of the more advanced features of Sublime Text is "Goto Anything". That way, you can find and replace your code in a significantly shorter amount of time. Distraction-free mode is another great feature that just shows the code by hiding other elements.
You can use keyboard shortcuts to perform tasks quickly – provided you can remember them. Everything is also easily customizable in the editor, regardless of whether you want to personalize keyboard shortcuts for snippets or menus.
Sublime Text is available on Windows, Mac and Linux and also supports different languages like C, HTML, C ++, C #, Java, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, Python, Ruby and many more.
Sublime Text has a free version that is enough for beginners. However, if you want access to all of its features, you'll have to pay a one-time cost of $ 80.
# 5 – Adobe Dreamweaver CC – The best for web developers
Most of the other options are great for front-end development. However, an HTML editor is also required to make back-end development easier. This is where Adobe Dreamweaver CC comes in.
Made by the renowned Adobe company, this editor is undoubtedly one of the most famous and influential options on the market. You get all kinds of plugins and premium features that other HTML editors can't normally access.
Dreamweaver makes it all possible, whether you're building more responsive websites or editing the website code.
This editor is closed source software designed to work in the Adobe ecosystem. It supports both the text and WYSIWYG method, so you can choose between coding with a live visual presentation or the traditional route. You can write code in any major programming language and access creative cloud libraries.
Web developers would especially love Adobe Dreamweaver CC. It automatically confirms code and page accessibility, making it easier for developers to follow Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and even verify the final product.
Another benefit is direct access to a wide variety of resources in the Adobe ecosystem such as graphics, layers, colors, words, characters, and more.
Dreamweaver has a free version, but you can opt for premium plans too. You have three options:
- Annual plan payable monthly – $ 25.99 per month
- Monthly plan – $ 31.49 per month
- Annual plan, prepaid – $ 239.88 per year
What I looked at to find the best HTML editor
Free and paid HTML editors offer various cosmetic features. Depending on your business needs, you will find that some are absolutely necessary while others may not be needed at all.
I've compiled a list of features that I think a good HTML editor should have. You may not need all of them, but here are what to look for when choosing an HTML editor.
Color coding or syntax highlighting
HTML has a tag-based markup language. You will need an HTML editor with syntax highlighting or color coding features to highlight these tags.
This allows you to quickly identify the tags, which in turn makes it easier to work with blocks of code.
Autocomplete and suggestions
The auto-complete and suggest function helps you enter longer codes quickly at the push of a button.
The editor gives you popup suggestions based on your work. All you have to do is click on it and the code will auto-complete. Think about how you type text messages on your phone or when to do a quick Google search.
You can also use this feature to automate the creation of closing tabs.
Search and replace
I highly recommend looking for code editors with the find and replace feature as it allows you to quickly find certain strings and replace them with something else.
In addition, HTML is constantly changing and updating standards and obsolete inefficient tags. So you will definitely find that this feature should update your website at some point in the future.
Version control
Version controlled editors allow you to view previous versions of your code and roll back it if necessary.
As a result, you can save all copies without making separate documents. I know how important this is when you work with other developers.
Multi-cursor functionality
The role of multi-cursors is simple: you can write code in multiple places at the same time. In other words, you can edit code at the same time.
This is especially useful when you want to add duplicates of the same tag.
FTP support and error detection
If you can get HTML editors with FTP support, you can connect to WordPress and easily upload any changes you want to make. As a result, you don't log into FileZilla or your favorite FTP client every time you want to update something.
Detecting live errors is also important.
HTML is a markup language, not a programming language, so it is not compiled. It also means that you cannot test your code. However, with live error detection, you know immediately whenever you misspell something.
Additionally, there are various other features like code folding and auto-saving that can increase productivity and accuracy.
Note: If you are looking for a code editor with advanced features and platform integration, you need an integrated development environment or IDE instead of a text editor. While IDEs are similar to HTML editors, they are better suited for advanced developers.
Conclusion
HTML editors are a must for any web development and design toolkit. Not only can you code faster, but you can also simplify the whole process by avoiding mistakes.
The only catch is to pick an option that suits your needs.
You can choose an option from my top offers or check out other alternatives on the market. Here is a full list of the top picks:
Try looking for potential editors that include syntax highlighting and live preview. If you want something a little more sophisticated, a search and replace feature is a huge advantage.
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