Being able to edit HTML and CSS code can be done without any specific tools. However, just because you can do something doesn’t mean it is the best way to do it – and that applies to web development as well.
If you use proper tools for your work, not only will you make things easier for yourself, but you will also step it up on the quality level
Best IDE for HTML CSS Javascript… I’ve reviewed pretty much every IDE out there, in order to find the most efficient tool for web development. During my research, I’ve covered everything from IDEs for beginners to IDEs with the best syntax highlighting.
Visual Studio Code
Platforms: Windows, Linux, macOS
Price: free
Visual Studio Code is a free HTML IDE from Microsoft. This editor supports Typescript, C ++, Java, Javascript, PHP, Python, and others. With Visual Studio Code, the Redmond-based company has a serious product that has developed a fan base within a very short time that almost makes you forget everybody’s favorite Sublime text.
Visual Studio Code is not only available for Windows but also macOS and even Linux. This allows you to work across platforms with the same comfort and functionality.
VS Code can easily be functionally expanded with extensions. You can bring about visual changes using themes, of which there is also a wide variety. VS Code works directly with Github and offers extremely good syntax highlighting for various languages and an advanced variant of code completion.
VS Code is subject to a four-week update cycle. The changelogs are extensive month after month. The product is being massively developed, with the user community’s wishes being seriously taken into account. In addition to the optical and functional expansion options, this Javascript editor does not neglect user support. Comprehensive documentation is available and tutorial videos for beginners.
Pros:
- It is an open source.
- Has many features like solution explorer, source control, debugger, extensions area.
- Supports a terminal inside a window.
- Good for .Net core development.
Cons:
- It can be a little tricky as it is minimalistic.
- It has low functionality and is not suitable for large projects.
Eclipse
Platforms: Windows / Linux / macOS / Solaris
Price: free
It is a free open-source development environment that is well suited for both novice and experienced developers. Eclipse IDE works with C, C ++, Fortran, Javascript, PHP, Python, Ruby, and others.
Besides debugging tools and Git/CVS support, Eclipse comes with Java and a plugin tool. Initially, Eclipse was used only for Java, but now, its functions have expanded thanks to plugins and extensions significantly. Because of the ability to extend Eclipse with its modules, this platform has gained popularity among developers. Eclipse’s functionality is not as large as IntelliJ IDEA, but this development environment is distributed open-source.
Pros:
- Ability to program in many languages.
- Significant flexibility of the environment due to modularity.
- Ability to integrate JUnit.
- Remote debugging (when using JVM).
- With the plugin aCute, the syntax coloring is visible (for C#).
- Code completion is offered from the language server.
- You can move on to declaring variables, classes, and methods.
- You can develop a complete version of the main .net project without leaving the IDE.
- Projects built using MS test and xUnit can run directly in the IDE.
Cons:
- Newcomers can find it difficult to understand the variety of possibilities.
- The plugin is community-driven, so there is no guarantee that it will always perform well.
UltraEdit
G2 Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars
UltraEdit is designed to be an all-in-one solution. It solves every challenge a developer or IT professional faces: programming and project management, text data and record reformatting, data sorting, large file manipulation, remote file operations, advanced file searching, and more.
That means it’s ideal for advanced users working on their own or in enterprise companies. It’s not for beginners or hobbyists, and the price reflects this. You can purchase for a one-time fee of $119.95 or $189.95, or pay an annual subscription of $79.95 or $99.95. While none of these price points are unreasonable, they are high compared to the alternatives on the list.
Pros
- A feature-rich, comprehensive solution for developers and IT professionals
- Can easily handle large file edits without impacting performance
- Effective search and organization functionality
Cons
- Steepest price point on this list
- Some users cite minor UI flaws
Price
UltraEdit is available as a subscription or a one-time purchase. Subscriptions are $79.95 and $99.95 annually. One-time purchases are $119.95 and $189.95.
NoteTab
G2 Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars
NoteTab gives you complete control over your HTML code and speeds up the creation process. With this editor, you can insert tags and other HTML code from a toolbar, drag-and-drop code snippets from a list to your document or insert them using a keyboard, and use the auto-complete feature to insert tags as you type. There’s also a multilingual spell checker included and a customized input controller for syntax highlighting.
What really sets NoteTab apart is that it’s the only HTML editor offering support for Bootstrap CSS. This will enable you to build a Bootstrap site faster with NoteTab than with any other editor.
Some drawbacks are that NoteTab does not support git. It also currently only offers syntax highlighting for HTML, XML, and CSS files, so this is not for you if you’re working with JavaScript, PHP, or some other programming languages.
Pros
- Flexible enough to support the needs of a range of developers
- Large extension library for further customization
- Supports the Bootstrap CSS framework
Cons
- No integration with git
- Only highlights HTML, XMS, and CSS syntax
Price
NoteTab is available as a free light version and as a paid version, which retails for $39.95.
Notepad++
G2 Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars
Notepad++ is a free, open-source code editor that’s specifically designed for novice programmers. Like other code editors, it offers syntax highlighting and autocorrect. What sets Notepad++ is how many languages it supports, how many files you can load and work on simultaneously, and how lightweight it is. In addition to HTML and CSS, Notepad++ supports 75 other programming languages. You can open up different file formats in these different languages at the same time and make edits without having to worry about using a ton of CPU power or causing slow load times.
Some limitations make this editor less than ideal for some users. First, Notepad++ only works for Microsoft Windows. That means, if you’re working on any other operating system, like macOS for example, then you’ll have to use another editor. Second, Notepad++ does not offer support for git. If you want to push code to a repository inside your editor, you’ll also be better off using an alternative.
Pros
- Free and open-source
- Lightweight and fast
- Supports a wide range of programming languages
Cons
- Only available for Windows
- Somewhat outdated interface
- No git integration
Price
Notepad++ is free.
Sublime Text
G2 Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Sublime Text is like Notepad++ for macOS users with sophisticated needs. It’s compatible with multiple programming languages like Notepad++. It offers the standard features that Notepad++ offers — and so much more, including cross-platform support, split editing, and multiple-selection editing. In exchange for this power and flexibility, you’ll have a steeper learning curve.
For example, you can use a variety of keyboard shortcuts to quickly execute tasks in Sublime Text — as long as you can remember them. You can customize virtually everything in the editor, from key bindings to menus to snippets and more — as long as you have the time.
All of these features are included in the free version of Sublime, but this version eventually starts displaying popups prompting you to purchase a premium license.
Pros
- Sleek, simple, user-friendly interface with customizable color coding
- Split-screen editing and multiple-selection editing
- Built-in file organizer for easy navigating and locating
Cons
- Only available for macOS
- Paid version is pricey; free version occasionally prompts you with pop-ups to purchase the full version
Price
Sublime Text is available as a free version, or you can purchase a license for $80.
TextPad
G2 Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars
TextPad is a simple and intuitive editor for Windows that’s ideal for plain text files. Its interface can seem austere when compared to others, but that’s purposeful. It’s designed to be so simple that you can use it right away. TextPad allows you to edit multiple files simultaneously, drag and drop text between files, indent blocks of text, split or join lines, insert whole files, and undo and redo any changes.
It’s not updated as often as other editors on this list, which can make the product feel more stagnant.
Pros
- Capable of simultaneously editing multiple files and dragging code between them
- Simple and intuitive for both new and savvy programmers
Cons
- Infrequent updates
- Somewhat antiquated interface
Price
TextPad is $16.50 for one license. However, TextPad also lets users download beta versions for free to test them.
BBEdit
G2 Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
BBEdit is an HTML editor for macOS that offers a free and premium version. It makes it easy to create, import, and edit files and to search for and replace text across multiple files. With this editor, you can also compare two text files and analyze them to find any missing, extra, or similar text between them.
It’s ideal for developers looking for basic functionality. For anything beyond that, like code error checking and debugging, you’ll need a more advanced editor.
Pros
- Basic but capable user interface is ideal for those looking for a simple tool
- Contextual text coloring
- Handy file comparison feature
Cons
- One available for macOS
- Some users have reported occasional performance issues
Price
BBEdit is available as a free version and a paid version, which retails for $49.99.
Komodo IDE
G2 Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars
Komodo IDE is a unique code editor because it also serves as an integrated development environment (or IDE for short). Your workflow will improve with this editor because it is a two-in-one editor and debugger. Python, PHP, Perl, Go, Ruby, Node.js, JavaScript, and more are all supported languages in Komodo IDE.
Live previews are one of many benefits of this HTML editor. Instead of flipping back and forth between tabs, you can edit and test all on one screen. With automatic saving, you’ll never have to wait before reviewing a preview of your work.
This free tool was developed by ActiveState which also provides language distributions like ActivePerl and ActivePython if you need an enterprise coding solution along with the HTML editor.
Pros
- Live previews of the results of your code
- Autosave your work
- Efficient debugging mode
- Ability to customize colors and syntax highlighting
Cons
- Not ideal for those looking for a lightweight editor without an IDE component
- Resource-intensive to operate
Price
Komodo IDE is free.
Conclusion
In this article, I have shared Top Best IDEs for HTML, CSS, JS, and PHP. I have used many IDEs but the one that I use at present is WebStorm by JetBrains. There are so many reasons to use it and so few not to choose it. So my advice is: Use It. Enjoy !!