There’s great demand for developers who know JavaScript because virtually every browser uses the JavaScript language to display web pages and apps. While traditional editors may be common in see in web development, many developers choose online code editors. This is because it allows them to do their job right from the desktop and even carry out operations where connectivity is patchy.
The Best Online Code Editor Reviews. This review will show you the editors that are online and free to use, all of them have a different set of features and a different design. Each editor is great to use in your projects, this review will give you a good option to choose from. Finding the best online code editors that are suitable for programming can be tough.
Today, there are various types of text editors available online. There are also lots of choices for programmers to choose from when it comes down to coding.
Benefits of Using Online JavaScript Editors
The best free online javascript editor will let you code on the go. And it’s simpler than ever with this powerful tool that provides you with the editing features of programming tools, but with an easy-to-use interface for beginners.
There are many advantages of using online JavaScript editors, some of which are listed below:
- They also come with Git support so that you can push your code around.
- Saving code is easy and intuitive. You get unique URLs for sharing your code with other programmers and audience.
- Experimentation is easy and rewarding.
- The ability to write JavaScript code directly into the web is amazing!
- You can work seamlessly with the LIVE preview option available with most online JavaScript editors.
- Online JavaScript editors don’t require any installation.
Best Online IDE for GitHub Users: Gitpod
While the concept of a GitHub IDE might seem strange at first, it makes a lot of sense. Gitpod exists as a way to edit files on GitHub in the browser. A browser extension adds a button to the GitHub page, which when clicked opens a workspace for the current project.
Editing takes place in an IDE based on VS Code. Side-by-side code comparison is built-in, along with commenting for collaboration within a team. Gitpod is a unique idea and is currently in a free beta stage for public and private repos.
Best Online IDE for Ruby and Ruby on Rails: Repl.it
Ruby holds a special place in many coders’ hearts. It is easy to read, concise to write, and the backbone for the ever-trendy Ruby on Rails platform. An online IDE for Ruby should be bold, simple, and aesthetically pleasing. Repl.it has environments for both Ruby and Ruby on Rails and is the perfect place to sharpen your skills.
Best Online IDE for Designers: Codepen.io
If you want to make beautiful-looking things for the web, Codepen.io is the place for you. The IDE operates like a sketchbook for all kinds of front-end web development. A massive community of all skill levels continuously pushes the limit of what is possible in the browser.
The weekly Spark newsletter is a collection of the best pens from the week along with the Codepen Radio podcast. Alongside its community, Codepen has many other awesome features for coders and web developers.
Best Online Coding IDE for Kids: Small Basic
Starting to code is tough for kids. Small Basic includes a kid-friendly online editor which is forgiving with code syntax. The language is readable but close enough to actual code to be useful.
The included library covers drawing, text input, sound, and even some basic networking. Check out some simple coding projects for kids on the platform to see if it’s for you!
Best Block Based IDE for Kids: Tynker
Parents and kids to learn together with the Tynker block-based platform. There are multiple free courses available to try the service out, but paying the monthly $7.50 subscription gets you much more. Tynker has an extensive library of coding, game, hardware, and Minecraft modding courses for ages seven upwards.
Best Online IDE for Arduino/IOT: Arduino Web Editor
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the best place to program Arduino boards online is Arduino’s own Create Web editor. While still in its infancy, it works much like the offline IDE. Alongside the code editor, the library manager and serial monitor are also available in the browser.
Currently, there is only support for official Arduino boards and a handful of others, however, more support is coming in the future. One caveat of this IDE is the need to download a small bridge program to access the USB ports and upload code.
Best Online IDE for Visual Hardware Programming: XOD.io
XOD is an open-source, node-based visual programmer for Arduino boards. Each block represents devices and sensors, and you can make links between them by dragging lines from each node.
The library comes with many nodes for different uses, and collections of nodes collapse into new nodes for clean, readable blocks.
Unfortunately, the browser version of XOD does not support uploading to boards directly. There is, however, a Simulate mode that will test the program without the need for a connected board.
Best Professional Online IDE: AWS Cloud9
When Amazon bought the Cloud9 IDE in 2016, it was already a firm favorite with developers. Full integration with Amazon Web Services makes it arguably the most powerful and extendable online development platform currently available. The online IDE combines a code editor with a terminal and powerful debugging tools.
Cloud9 also features a pair programming mode similar to VS Live share allowing collaborative remote programming in teams. Need fast prototyping? Cloud9 gives you direct access to AWS services through the integrated terminal assist.
Cloud9 is a cloud-based IDE built by Amazon Web Services, which supports multiple programming languages such as JavaScript with Node.js, C, C, PHP, Ruby, Python, etc.
Cloud9 provides all the tools that are necessary to develop large-scale software. It is very straightforward and can be easily integrated into the AWS ecosystem. It allows you to work from anywhere, which increases productivity.
Best Free Online IDE: CodeTasty
CodeTasty is a fully-featured cloud IDE in the cloud and is quick and simple to set up.
All major languages are supported, along with linting and transpiring for Typescript among others. The editor itself is a full virtual development environment complete with terminal and output windows. CodeTasty is free and fully functional, though paid tiers are available for more project options and team collaboration.
Best Online IDE for Beginners: Codeacademy
Codecademy combines an online IDE with lessons to teach coding from beginner to expert. Their diverse catalog covers popular languages including Python, JavaScript, CSS, HTML, and Ruby.
Alongside language learning, Codeacademy provides Pro and Pro Intensive paid courses designed to cover whole subjects. Expert courses on machine learning, test-driven development, and front-end web development are just some of those available.
Best Online IDE for Artists: p5.js
The p5.js library is based on JavaScript and provides tools for creating interactive art through code. Rather than installing the library and running a local server, the p5.js web editor allows you to code instantly online.
As well as creating beautiful visuals, the p5.js library offers opportunities for interaction. Our Voice-Sensitive Robot Animation tutorial shows how quick and easy it is to create reactive art with p5.js.
Best Online IDE for Python: Codevny
An online Python IDE needs to be quick, easy to use and have a terminal for testing. Codenvy provides all of these things and much more. Codenvy is language-agnostic, and each instance of the IDE is an independent development environment.
Extra packages and modules can be installed using the online terminal. Codenvy is a robust development and collaboration tool, and capable of almost all forms of modern development.
Best Online IDE for JavaScript: JSFiddle
Fiddling around with JavaScript? Try JSFiddle, with template projects to help get your web app ideas off the ground fast.
JSFiddle is entirely free (ad-supported) and used by giants like Google and Facebook alongside thousands of developers.
Others
RJ TextEd
Type: Unicode and Source Code Editor
Initial Release: October 2019
RJ TextED provides a universal web development environment and supports ASP, PHP, CSS, HTML, and JavaScript with exciting features including Unicode integration, advanced sorting, smooth autocompletion, and many more. Moreover, RJ TextEd supports SFTP and FTP with the ability to handle both ASCII and binary files in an efficient way. There are many options available to customize your work environment.
Pros:
- Open-source and Freeware
- Handle ASCII & Binary files
Cons:
- Requires a lot of memory
StackBlitz
This IDE is quite similar to the VSCode editor, so if you are familiar with VSCode, you should go for StackBlitz when using an online code editor. It is fast, secure, and has IntelliSense.
StackBlitz allows you to import any NPM package. The code editor takes care of dependencies, hot reloading, and compiling automatically while you type. This editor also gives you the option to do offline editing. Moreover, you can Drag & Drop files and folders into the editor.
All applications on StackBlitz get automatically deployed on their server. While using StackBlitz, you can share your projects with just one click. It has support for five different workspaces:
- JavaScript
- React
- AngularJS
- Ignite UI
- KendoReact
CodePen
CodePen is an open-source online code editor which is used to test and showcase user-created front-end code. CodePen allows you to see other people’s projects and understand how the code is actually working.
CodePen gives you all the tools that are required for collaboration, experimentation, and sharing your code. You can just start coding without any setup.
JS Fiddle
JS Fiddle is super easy to use and has a very user-friendly and intuitive UI. JS FIddle wasn’t made to be a full-fledged web development environment. This code editor is only for prototyping, making demos, live code collaborations, bug reporting for GitHub issues, and presenting code answers on Stack Overflow.
Code Sandbox
Code sandbox is optimized for frameworks such as Vue, React, Angular, and so many more. It is integrated with Github, which enables you to export or import Repos from Github directly. Like StackBlitz, Code Sandbox also allows you to use any public npm packages.
Code Sandbox features live collaboration along with VSCode integration.
Conclusion
One of the hardest things that every web developer faces is to install an online code editor. There are several editors, but it’s hard to find the best one if you are a newbie. To get this problem resolved, I have created a list of online javascript editors which will make it easier for you to choose the best one for your projects.
Javascript is one of the most important programming languages being used right now. There are many online tools you can use for this purpose, but not every tool has the same features!
What I look out for is the best, most efficient, easy-to-use, feature-rich online code editor. The more of these I listed the better. Since this is a JavaScript/HTML/CSS forum, I am looking for an online editor that supports these.