The 7 best code editor apps in 2025

In some ways, what you use to write code is just as important as the code you’re writing. Code editors are tools designed to make writing and editing code easier, faster, and more accurate. They can search and open files, check for errors, autocomplete lines of code as you write, and highlight and color coordinate text. 

But when it comes to picking a code editor, there are about as many options to choose from as programming languages. To find out which apps stand above the rest, I spoke to coding veterans from a range of industries, read hundreds of user reviews and Reddit threads, and did some testing of my own. The result is a list of seven of the best code editor apps on the market, with overviews of their strengths, weaknesses, and standout features to help you make an informed decision.

The 7 best code editor tools

• Visual Studio Code for best all-around code editor

• Sublime Text for lightweight performance

• Notepad++ for basic coding tasks

• GNU Emacs for broad functionality

• CodeSandbox for browser-based code editing

• Textastic for coding on iOS devices

• Acode for coding on Android devices

What makes the best code editor?

Whether you’re an experienced coder or a beginner, the code editor you choose should make your job easier. But what’s the difference between a great code editing tool and a not-so-great one?

• Performance: Code editors come in all shapes and (file) sizes. A good code editor opens quickly and runs without chugging or using excessive processing power. You should consider your device’s specs (and the number of programs you typically have open) when you make your choice.

• Ease of use: These apps range from being beginner-friendly to totally arcane. But even a code editor with a wildly steep learning curve should have an intuitive interface, keyboard shortcuts, and helpful resources like user guides and documentation—and that learning curve should have the features to match.

• Customizability: A code editor isn’t always rich in features right out of the box, but you should be able to customize it to suit your needs. This can either be done with external plugins and extensions or built-in tools.

• Compatibility: The best code editors can keep up with unstable dev environments. Need to open an obscure file type or switch to a different programming language on the fly? Your code editor should be compatible with a variety of languages, file formats, and version control systems like Git. 

The best code editor apps at a glance

Best all-around code editor

Visual Studio Code (Windows, macOS, Debian)

Visual Studio Code pros:

• Can be as complex as you need it to be

• Wide range of extensions

• Built-in Git and debugging tools

Visual Studio Code cons:

• Can be overwhelming for coding novices

• Performance suffers with extensions running

Visual Studio Code (VS Code for short) is a very popular code editor developed by Microsoft. It’s free, open source, and there’s a good chance your programmer friends will recommend it to you if you’re in the market for a code editor. 

Versatility is VS Code’s strong suit. It’ll run on just about anything and can handle every major programming language. While there are certain code editors specifically designed for one language (say, Java or Python), VS Code is an all-around workhorse that can tackle any number of tasks. If your dev environment is variable, this kind of versatility matters.  

Cecilien Dambon, SEO and growth advisor at SparkTraffic, says he appreciates VS Code for its flexibility and comprehensive feature list: “Regardless of if I am typing up a simple R script or designing an entire website, it fits right in. The editor is language-agnostic and has a plethora of extensions that can be adapted to practically any development platform.”

Although VS Code can be as complex as you want it to be, it’s a fairly lean package out of the box: it has built-in support for JavaScript, TypeScript, CSS, and HTML, plus Git and debugging tools. You can add more languages and features through the thousands of extensions available on the Visual Studio Marketplace (like GitHub’s AI Copilot, for example, which autocompletes code and gives suggestions based on natural language questions). 

Beginners will benefit from VS Code IntelliSense, an integrated code completion tool that also provides parameter info and member lists. But because of its highly configurable nature, VS Code can be overwhelming for coding novices compared to stripped-back editors. It’s quite the RAM and storage hog, too, particularly with multiple extensions active. Those looking for a tool with low processing needs may want to consider Notepad++ or Sublime Text instead.

Visual Studio Code pricing: Free

Best code editor for lightweight performance

Sublime Text (Windows, macOS, Linux)

Sublime Text pros:

• Fast, lightweight performance

• Color coding for every element of code

• Strong search functionality

Sublime Text cons:

• Limited default feature set 

• Free version has pop-up ads

Sublime Text’s claim to fame is that it’s super lightweight. It starts fast, runs smoothly, and doesn’t eat up your computer’s resources. Not only that, but it also has a rich plugin ecosystem. So, while it’s smaller and lighter than VS Code, it isn’t as bare bones as you might expect a lightning-fast code editor to be. 

If you work with big files, you want software that can open them without getting laggy. That’s one thing Sublime Text does flawlessly. Mateusz Mazurek, founder of Prehost, says, “it’s incredibly fast even for the largest sized files, and the clean interface allows you to focus on the code.” He also praises its “powerful search options and multiple selection patterns.” 

But to equip Sublime Text with debugging functionality, GitHub integration, Markdown preview, and pretty much every other advanced feature you can think of, you’ll need to go hunting for plugins. This default feature set isn’t necessarily a downside, but you should be aware that you’ll be starting with the basics. Thankfully, plugins are easy to find and install with Package Control.

It’s also worth noting that while Sublime Text is technically free, you’ll be prompted to purchase a three-year license for $99. There’s no time limit to the “free” plan, but be prepared to have your flow state broken by an ad asking you to buy a license or upgrade to a new version.

Sublime Text pricing: Offers free plan; 3-year license can be purchased for $99

Best code editor for basic coding tasks

Notepad++ (Windows)

Notepad++ pros:

• Opens files immediately

• Supports a wide range of file types and programming languages

• Autosave function prevents you from losing work

Notepad++ cons:

• No error detection or code formatting features

• Dated user interface

Notepad++ is a Windows-exclusive code editor that’s been free since its release way back in 2003. Now, tens of millions of downloads later, it’s still a handy tool for basic coding tasks or writing quick notes. (It is called Notepad, after all.) 

If Sublime Text is considered lightweight, Notepad++ is practically weightless. The latest version, 8.6.9, comes in at a microscopic 6.2 MB, and its CPU usage is impressively low, too. The trade-off here is that it has pretty rudimentary features and fewer extension options than more comprehensive tools like VS Code. You also won’t be able to open text files larger than 2 GB, so keep that in mind if you work with hefty codebases. 

Despite lacking some bells and whistles, Notepad++ still supports nearly 90 programming languages—along with syntax highlighting, syntax folding, and autocompletion for each of them. And if your language isn’t supported, you can add it yourself. Notepad++ has also won a lot of praise for its autosave feature, which saves every single file and tab you open automatically even if you close the window (or if your device crashes). 

Notepad++ probably won’t be your first choice for complex dev work, but it’s a must-have tool for quick code edits, note taking, and opening small files. Unfortunately, it only runs natively on Windows, but you can try Sublime Text or VS Code as macOS alternatives.

Notepad++ pricing: Free

Best code editor for broad functionality

GNU Emacs (Windows, macOS, Linux)

GNU Emacs pros:

• Can be used as a text editor, project tracker, and organizational tool

• Highly configurable

• Extensive community support and resources

GNU Emacs cons:

• Very steep learning curve

• Outdated interface

In the coding world, GNU Emacs is known for being both incredibly customizable and incredibly hard to learn. Some users even say mastering Emacs is a lifelong process. But those willing to take the plunge gain access to a powerful code editing framework with a wide variety of use cases. 

Yes, GNU Emacs can be a code editor, but it can also be an IDE (integrated development environment), a project management tool, an operating system, an email client, a database browser—it’s honestly hard to nail down as just one thing. It sounds like a cliche, but Emacs is really whatever you code it to be. This will require a firm understanding of the Lisp programming language and a lot of time spent reading documentation. It can be a wonderfully versatile tool if you have the time to learn the ins and outs, or you can also choose to use it strictly for code editing.

In one form or another, Emacs has been around since the mid-1970s, and GNU Emacs is the most popular version (one that still receives updates today). So, while the learning curve is steep, there are plenty of user guides and resources available online to help you along. Beginners will still probably want to steer clear of this one, as it’s geared toward programming veterans who want to get the absolute most out of their text editor.

GNU Emacs pricing: Free

Best web-based code editor

CodeSandbox (Web)

CodeSandbox pros:

• Makes collaborative live coding easy

• Offers code templates for web design

• No installation or setup required

CodeSandbox cons:

• Runs slower than non-cloud editors

• Free version has limited features

Most code editors are programs you download to your computer or mobile device. CodeSandbox offers an alternative: a cloud-based browser editor designed for live, collaborative coding. Think of it like Google Docs for developers. Any code you work on can be shared with your coworkers, and they can review, edit, and comment on it without downloading any software. 

CodeSandbox also boasts a very handy live preview feature, which shows you (and your collaborators) updates to the app or website you’re working on in real time. This makes it an ideal tool for, say, programming instructors who want to critique their students’ code in real time, or a hiring manager testing an applicant’s chops.

Additionally, CodeSandbox offers a variety of code templates to give you a head start on web design and other projects. If none of the official templates strike your fancy, you can create custom ones and then share them with team members.

The cloud-based model does load more slowly than local code editors, and you can’t use it without an internet connection. Coders who need a highly configurable dev environment will likely want to stick with local options like VS Code or GNU Emacs, but CodeSandbox remains a solid choice for teams that value collaboration.

CodeSandbox pricing: Offers free plan; from $12/month/workspace for the Pro plan

Best iOS code editor

Textastic (iOS, iPadOS, macOS)

Textastic pros:

• Syncs files between iPhone, iPad, and Mac

• Syntax highlighting for 80+ languages

• Integrates with Git through the Working Copy app

Textastic cons:

• macOS and iOS versions are separate purchases

• Limited functionality compared to desktop code editors

Sometimes, you need to do a bit of coding on the go, and you might not always have your laptop at hand. If you’re an iPhone user, Textastic may be just what you’re looking for to handle basic coding tasks. 

I say basic, but this app has a strong set of features, including syntax highlighting for more than 80 languages, code autocompletion, a built-in SSH terminal, and support for external keyboards. While it won’t compete with full-fledged code editors running on Windows, macOS, or Linux, it’ll get you at least part of the way there (and I think that’s pretty impressive for an iPhone app).

You can use Textastic with the Git client app Working Copy to work with local Git repositories or use the Files app to access folders from other iOS or macOS devices and Dropbox. It won’t be able to open every file format (Twee and SugarCube files, for example), but it’s compatible with almost 100 others. 

Be aware that unlike many code editors on PC and Mac, Textastic doesn’t offer a free version or trial. You can download it for iPhone or iPad for $9.99 on the App Store, and if you want to sync with a macOS device, that version will cost you an additional $8.99. Just make sure Textastic suits your use cases before you open your wallet.

Textastic pricing: $9.99 for the iPhone or iPad version; $8.99 for the Mac version

Best Android code editor

Acode (Android)

Acode pros:

• Highly extensible with 144 plugins 

• Syntax highlighting for 100+ languages

• In-app file browser 

Acode cons:

• Can become buggy after updates

• Free version shows you ads

If you want the closest thing to VS Code on your Android device, consider Acode. It’s earned more than a million downloads since its release in 2019 and still receives comprehensive updates today.  

While it won’t compete in every metric with desktop software, Acode has an extensive plugin library with almost 150 choices (and counting). These plugins let you do things like activate a live preview mode, integrate with GitHub, emulate a terminal, or interface with an AI assistant. 

Extensions aside, Acode has what every code editor needs, mobile or otherwise: syntax highlighting for more than 100 programming languages, FTP/SFTP support, customizable interface and shortcuts, and debugging tools. It even has a built-in file browser so you don’t have to open a separate app. 

New features are being added regularly, but it’s worth mentioning that some users experience bugs and crashes after downloading updates. While bugs could put a damper on your mobile coding plans, the app continues to receive regular tweaks and fixes. (The most recent version was released just a few days before I wrote this.) 

You can download a free version of Acode for your Android phone, tablet, or Chromebook, but you’ll be shown ads asking you to upgrade to the Pro version, which will cost you a very modest $3.99. 

Acode pricing: Free version available; $3.99 for the Pro version

Which code editor software should you use?

While some code editors (CodeSandbox, for example) are platform agnostic, your choice will likely be limited by what operating system and device type you’re using—unless you’re one of those people who owns literally everything. 

You should choose a code editor that gels with your dev environment and skill level. I can’t make that decision for you, but hopefully this list gives you a better idea of what’s out there (and makes deciding a little easier). And with a majority of these apps offering free versions, it won’t hurt to try out a handful before settling on a favorite. 

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• How to build an automated system on Zapier