Best IDE for Javascript Windows – Create, develop and launch your own web app with the help of the best free integrated development environment (IDE) for building modern, well-structured JavaScript web apps. There are several good IDEs out there, which will make your life easier.
Here are top IDEs popular among professional frontend developers. Which one works best for you?
Codeanywhere
Codeanywhere is a cloud-based web development platform. While we can’t call it a ‘true’ IDE due to its lack of features such as a compiler, debugger, and some build automation tools, we’d still say it’s a step above your basic code editor:
Plus, for web developers and designers who love to work in teams, this tool includes too many handy collaboration features not to give it a mention. Link sharing and permissions settings ensure your work remains secure. Meanwhile, you can code alongside your teammates in real-time.
Other exciting features include:
- Code completion for JavaScript, PHP, HTML, and CSS in the editor
- Support for all devices and browsers
- Built-in version control to help you stay on top of your project and roll it back if need be
- Pre-built containers, including ones designed specifically for WordPress
You can try Codeanywhere for seven days free of charge. After, plans start at $2.50 per user per month. More expensive plans provide additional containers, tighter security, advanced user management features, and more.
8. Sublime Text 3
Although the primary focus of this post is the best IDEs for web development, we’ve included a few top-notch code editors as well. These tools are ideal for front end developers and designers. Many of them include features similar to that of true IDEs, but are less complex and better suited to the needs of these types of professionals.
Sublime Text 3 is one such platform:
This high-quality code editor is available for all three major Operating Systems and supports HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, Python, and many other programming languages. Additionally, it incorporates several features to make editing your code faster and simpler, such as:
- ‘Goto Anything’ navigation for quickly jumping to various files, lines, or words
- A multiple selections option for making changes in several lines simultaneously
- Split editing and project switching that enables you to easily bounce between projects or edit them at the same time
- Git integration via Sublime Merge
If you like Sublime Text 3 but think you need an IDE rather than a text editor, you might consider using a plugin to add autocomplete, debugging, and other advanced features. This can take the code editor up a few notches in order to meet your needs.
You can download Sublime Text 3 to test drive it for free. However, a license is ultimately required to use it long-term. You can purchase one for $80 and receive three years of free updates. After, fees will apply for subsequent versions.
Visual Studio
First up is Microsoft’s IDE, Visual Studio. This platform is only available for Windows and Mac. It also provides support for Python, PHP, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and many other languages:
Visual Studio has all the IDE basics, including remote debugging. You can quickly pause execution to inspect suspected issues and make changes without having to restart your session. Additionally, this user-friendly platform includes:
- ‘IntelliSense’ code completion for multiple languages to make your code edition process faster
- Live collaboration with access controls and style enforcement to keep code consistent no matter who’s working on your project
- Git integration, with management and repository creation features within Visual Studio
- Easy deployment with built-in Azure integration
As is to be expected when you’re looking at the best IDEs for web development, Visual Studio comes with a fairly hefty price tag. Professional licenses, which are intended for freelancers and small teams, run for $45 per month.
Enterprise licenses will cost you almost $1,200 for your first year, with a $799 per year renewal rate. Alternatively, there are some more affordable ways to access this IDE’s features.
One is to download the Community license – a free version of the platform with limited features. The other is to use the corresponding code editor, Visual Studio Code. This platform isn’t as extensive as the IDE, but supports over 72 languages and includes debugging features.
IntelliJ IDEA
JetBrains is a web development software company. They’ve built several IDEs as well as plugins for enhancing them. IntelliJ IDEA is their Java-focused platform:
However, if you want to work with all five of the languages we mentioned above (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, and Python), IntelliJ IDEA may be the best of the JetBrains platforms for you.
Out of the box, you can use it to write and edit HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. With the help of two free plugins, you can add support for PHP and Python. As one of the more flexible tools in JetBrains’ arsenal, this IDE is adaptable to a wide range of projects.
Additionally, IntelliJ IDEA is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. With this tool, you’ll also gain access to the following key features:
- Smart code completion that can predict elements in context and provide suggestions to speed up your workflow
- Inline debugging to show you problems with your source code where they appear, so you don’t have to go digging for them
- Out-of-the-box version control that enables you to turn back your project to earlier states
- Integration with build tools such as Apache Maven, Gradle, and Webpack
IntelliJ IDEA comes in three different pricing options. The free, open-source Community version is available at no cost. However, it defeats the purpose of choosing an IDE with support for a wide range of languages, as it doesn’t include JavaScript editing.
Instead, you’re better off investing in IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate. Individual use licenses start at $149 per year, or you can purchase it for your team starting at $499 per year.
Eclipse IDE
The Eclipse IDE comes in several different packages that cater to different types of developers. The PHP package includes support for JavaScript, HTML, and CSS as well:
Other packages include Eclipse IDE for Java Developers, Eclipse IDE for C/C++ Developers, and Eclipse IDE for Scientific Computing. You can add Python support with a plugin.
Additionally, Eclipse IDE is compatible with Mac, Windows, and Linux systems. It’s also open-source and backed by a community of contributors, much like WordPress. Other features that may interest you include:
- Built-in debugging for finding and fixing errors in your code
- Git integration for a smoother development workflow
- A quick search function to improve navigation throughout your project
- Auto-completion to speed up your code editing
For collaborative projects, you may want to try out Eclipse’s cloud-based IDE, Eclipse Che. This Kubernetes powered platform enables you to develop in your browser and share workspaces with your teammates. You can control your project’s permissions to keep it secure.
Some have noted that, compared to premium IDEs, Eclipse can be a little on the slow side. However, considering you’re gaining access to all of these features for free, this may still be the preferred choice for newer developers and those on a tight budget.
NetBeans
Alternatively, if you’re for a low-cost solution, you may also want to consider NetBeans:
This open-source platform is managed by Apache, and includes all of the standard features necessary to be considered one of the best IDEs for web development. For starters, it’s compatible with Windows, Linux, and Mac systems.
Although it’s primarily geared towards Java development, you can use NetBeans to work with and JavaScript, HTML, and CSS out of the box. There are also multiple plugins to extend its language support, including for PHP and Python.
Other notable features include:
- Code assistance for highlighting and adding missing elements
- Custom keyboard shortcuts and code completion for faster editing
- A Visual Debugger for finding and resolving problem spots in your project
- Integration with Git, Maven, and other useful platforms
NetBeans is available for free download, making it an affordable choice for those just dipping their toes in the development waters as well as professionals with smaller budgets. Like Eclipse, you might miss out on some of the fancier features offered by premium platforms, but this IDE will get the job done.
Atom
This is another code editor, rather than an IDE. However, if you’re already using GitHub, incorporating Atom into your development workflow should go rather smoothly:
Atom is an open-source platform for developers managed by GitHub. As you might imagine, it’s therefore very easy to integrate with this popular version control system, and with Git. It also includes the following features out of the box:
- Cross-platform compatibility for use on Windows, Mac, or Linux
- Code autocomplete for faster, smoother editing
- The ability to split your editing interface so you can see and work on multiple files or projects at the same time
- A built-in installer for adding and managing extensions or ‘packages’
Speaking of that last point, Atom’s expansive package library includes add-ons for additional language support, including PHP and Python. You might also want to consider installing Atom IDE, a package that extends the code editor’s native interface to make it more like a full-fledged IDE.
All of these features are available for free. Atom’s source code is also available on GitHub if you want to fork it.
Brackets
Finally, the last tool we’ll mention is Brackets. This open-source code editor is geared towards web designers and front end developers that includes several “visual tools” to help you create sleek and appealing sites:
This platform is available for Mac, Windows, and Linux. Additionally, you can use it to write HTML, CSS, and JavaScript out of the box. PHP and Python integration via language servers are also possible.
The biggest draw Brackets provides is its live editing for HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. You can preview the front end of your project in your browser in real time as you make changes, without having to reload the page.
However, there are also many other perks available, especially when you consider the code editor’s extensions. Brackets now provides support for Language Server Protocol, enabling users to use code hinting and advanced navigation features. This makes the editor more IDE-like.
- Integrate Brackets with Git
- Utilize the Theseus JavaScript Debugger
- Access WordPress code hints that can help plugin and theme developers work faster
- Set up autocompletion for Python or PHP
Conclusion
There are a ton of IDEs out there, but today we’ve looked at the best IDE for JavaScript windows.