An authentic text editor software can make all the difference with increased efficiency. Whether you’re a skilled programmer, a content creator, or a student, you’re always on the lookout for a text editor that suits your needs. Finding top-notch text editors for Mac can be difficult.
Text editors can be of two types:
- simple text editors
- source-code editors.
The distinction between both kinds rests in their performance and to satisfy the purpose of the software.
While text editors focus exclusively on making and changing documents easier, source-code editors offer extra tools that quicken the code-writing technique. This article has curated the list of the top best text editors for Mac. Best Productivity Apps for Mac, Best Podcast Apps for Mac, best music players for Mac.
Text Editors For Mac
1. Sublime Text
Sublime Text is a popular text editor that is fast, powerful, and customizable. It supports many programming languages, and plugins can extend the interface. Sublime Text has a clean and intuitive user interface and highly customizable software.
One of the tool’s highlights is the highly effective storage management system that guarantees the editor’s responses are lightning-fast despite dealing with large files.
Aside from effectively handling big files, the code editor for Mac also provides the ability to split screen so that coders can compare, debug, and edit various parts of code simultaneously.
The text editor for Mac also has syntax highlighting as well as sophisticated search and replacement features. The creators have also included the find-in-files feature. This feature is useful when working on large projects. The software is slightly pricey compared to others.
2. Visual Studio Code
Visual Studio Code is a free and open-source text editor developed by Microsoft. It supports many programming languages and has features like code editing, debugging, and source code management. It also has a large community of users and developers contributing to the ecosystem of extensions and plugins.
One feature that differentiates VS Code from other source-code editors is that rather than using a project-based system, it enables you to deal with multiple files and split them into various areas — similar to a language-agnostic code editor.
In terms of utility VS Code allows you to create programs with a wide range of languages, including C/C++, Java, Python, JavaScript, and Go. It includes support for syntax highlighting, snippets, code refactoring, troubleshooting, autocomplete, and Git integration to aid you in the coding process. Furthermore, you can communicate and work remotely with your colleagues in real-time.
3. Atom
Atom is an open-source text editor developed by GitHub. It is highly customizable and has a rich ecosystem of plugins and themes. Atom supports many programming languages and provides a range of features like file system browsing, code folding, and split panes.
Apart from customization, Atom includes a standard set of features, such as syntax highlighting, smart autocompletion, and a file system browser. It also features a built-in package manager to help you look for and install new packages on the Mac easily, as well as Git integration to store and handle your projects directly from the editor. Atom supports C/C++/C#, Java, JavaScript, Python, Ruby, Scala, and many other computer languages.
Furthermore, Atom allows you to collaborate and work with colleagues due to Teletype, which uses WebRTC to encrypt all conversations between partners to provide a safe working environment.
4. BBEdit
BBEdit is a commercial text editor developed by Bare Bones Software. It is a powerful and versatile text editor used by programmers, writers, and web developers. BBEdit supports many programming languages and provides advanced features such as code folding, syntax highlighting, and search and replace.
BBEdit’s free version provides enough features and programming capabilities to set it apart from the other text editors. It can be used as a basic text editor to handle raw text files, write code or build command programs. AppleScript, Python, Perl, RegEx, and Shell programming are among the languages enabled by BBEdit.
In terms of features, BBEdit includes, to mention a few, project-defining tools, syntax highlighting, code folding, auto code completion, and lightning-fast search and replace functionality. You also get FTP and SFTP file transfer support and the incorporation of code management systems.
Best Screen Recorders For Mac OSX
5. Brackets
Brackets is an open-source text editor developed by Adobe. It is a lightweight and highly customizable text editor that is designed for web development. Brackets support many programming languages and provide a range of features such as live preview, inline editing, and code highlighting.
One of the app’s top features is the live preview, which allows you to study and alter code in real time before publishing. This function renders your code exactly as it would look in an internet browser. With extensions, the application can be customizable according to your specific needs. Brackets also include an image optimizer, which minimizes picture file size for quicker and more effective web page loading. The Quick Update tool is particularly useful because it allows you to change multiple occurrences of a code fragment at the same time, saving you time and simplifying your procedure.
6. Emacs
Emacs is a popular text editor that has been around for over 30 years. It is highly customizable and supports many programming languages. Emacs provides a range of features such as syntax highlighting, code folding, and search and replace. Emacs is also highly extensible, allowing users to customize and extend its functionality using the Emacs Lisp programming language.
The open-source program is highly customizable and includes specialty settings for activities such as programming and markup language editing. Emacs also has a package manager for adding new modes, themes, and plugins.
Furthermore, Emacs has keyboard shortcuts that allow for efficient and quick word editing and file browsing without the use of a mouse remarkably. It also has macros, which can be used to automate repetitious chores.
Emacs has an efficient feature that allows users to run commands and programs without departing the editor. It provides text editing, grammar coloring, auto-completion, and code folding for coders working on big tasks.
FAQs
Is an IDE superior to a text editor?
The choice between an IDE and a text editor is entirely dependent on your specific needs. The two tools serve very different functions; an IDE is used for testing and displaying code projects, whereas a text editor is only used for writing code.
Is Notepad++ compatible with Mac?
Unfortunately, Notepad++ does not have a Mac edition. Nonetheless, you can satisfy your requirements by using any of the text editors for Mac listed above.
What text tool is included with the Mac?
TextEdit is the standard text editor that comes with every Mac. It is a simple word editor, that can create and edit basic or complex text documents with formatting and images.
Which text processor is compatible with the Apple M1?
Apple’s M1 Macs have been out there for quite some time. As a result, most applications, including text processors, now support the M1 chip. Thus, all the tools on this list will run flawlessly on an M1 Mac.
Is there a code tool on the Mac?
UltraEdit is a code editor for Mac. It’s a fantastic Mac code editor with tools like syntax highlighting, code navigation, and source control.