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TextEdit Alternatives

TextEdit is described as 'When you need to create text documents, TextEdit is a highly versatile word processor, including tools to format and layout your page, edit and stylize text, check spelling, create tables and lists, import graphics, work with HTML, and even add music and movie files' and is a Text Editor. There are more than 50 alternatives to TextEdit for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, BSD and Haiku. The best alternative is Sublime Text. It's not free, so if you're looking for a free alternative, you could try Vim or gedit. Other great apps like TextEdit are GNU nano, CudaText, Notepad and UltraEdit.

TextEdit alternatives are mainly Text Editors but may also be Code Editors or IDEs. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of TextEdit.
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TextEdit iconTextEdit
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  • Free • Proprietary
  • Mac

When you need to create text documents, TextEdit is a highly versatile word processor, including tools to format and layout...

Learn more about TextEdit

  1. Sublime Text is a sophisticated text editor for code, html and prose - any kind of text file. You'll love the slick user interface and extraordinary features.

    ⚫︎ LightweightSublime Text consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
    ⚫︎ Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsSublime Text can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
    ⚫︎ CustomizableSublime Text is easy to customize with themes or similar features.
    ⚫︎ Syntax HighlightingSublime Text supports syntax highlighting for various programming and markup languages.
    ⚫︎ Dark ModeSublime Text supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
    ⚫︎ PortableSublime Text can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
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    Edit side by side in widescreen
    Sublime Text vs TextEdit opinions
    Most users think Sublime Text is a great alternative to TextEdit.

  2. Vim ("Vi IMproved") is an advanced text editor that allows syntax highlighting, word completion and has a huge amount of contributed content. It also has a GUI version called GVim.

    ⚫︎ LightweightVim consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
    ⚫︎ CustomizableVim is easy to customize with themes or similar features.
    ⚫︎ Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsVim can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
    ⚫︎ Syntax HighlightingVim supports syntax highlighting for various programming and markup languages.
    ⚫︎ Support for MarkDownVim supports MarkDown for document formatting.
    ⚫︎ Command line interfaceVim either have CLI support or is a CLI-only app.
    ⚫︎ Spell CheckingVim can detect and correct all types of grammar and spelling mistakes.
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    Vim vs TextEdit opinions
    Some users think Vim is a great alternative to TextEdit, some don't.

    Vim is best in class for what it is designed to do (CLI text editing) but is not at all like the GUI TextEdit. The average TextEdit user would not even recognize Vim.

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  4. gedit icon

    gedit

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    • Free • Open Source
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Chrome OS
    • BSD
    • GNOME
    • OpenSolaris

    Official text editor of the GNOME desktop environment. Has syntax highlighting and is suitable for programming, with support for several languages. It is extensible with plugins.

    ⚫︎ Lightweightgedit consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
    ⚫︎ Extensible by Plugins/Extensionsgedit can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
    ⚫︎ Syntax Highlightinggedit supports syntax highlighting for various programming and markup languages.
    ⚫︎ Spell Checkinggedit can detect and correct all types of grammar and spelling mistakes.
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    The Default look under GNOME with Adwaita
  5. GNU nano icon

    GNU nano

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    • Free • Open Source
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Haiku

    GNU nano is a small and friendly text editor. Besides basic text editing, nano offers many extra features like an interactive search and replace, go to line and column number, auto-indentation, feature toggles, internationalization support, and filename tab completion.

    ⚫︎ Command line interfaceGNU nano either have CLI support or is a CLI-only app.
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    GNU nano vs TextEdit opinions
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    GNU nano is a terminal based editor which does not at all resemble TextEdit

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    Nano is a great terminal based editor, but anyone looking for an alternative to TextEdit is of course expecting a GUI application.

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  6. CudaText icon

    CudaText

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    • Free • Open Source
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD

    CudaText is a cross-platform text editor, written in Lazarus.

    ⚫︎ LightweightCudaText consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
    ⚫︎ Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsCudaText can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
    ⚫︎ CustomizableCudaText is easy to customize with themes or similar features.
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    Multi-selections, Replace dialog at bottom

  8. Most simple text editor. Just plain text, saves in .txt format. Not available for download; bundled with all versions of Windows.

    ⚫︎ LightweightNotepad consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
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    Notepad vs TextEdit opinions
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    Notepad lacks rich text editing

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  9. UltraEdit icon

    UltraEdit

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    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    UltraEdit is the ideal text, HTML and HEX editor, and an advanced PHP, Perl, Java and JavaScript editor for programmers. An industry-award winner, UltraEdit supports disk-based 64-bit file handling (standard) on 32-bit Windows platforms (Windows 2000 and later).

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    UltraEdit features an integrated FTP browser and supports syntax highlighting for hundreds of languages, with more always in the works. And with an integrated SSH/telnet client, scripting, custom tools, macros and Smart Templates, UltraEdit's ready for any coding session.
  10. Aptana Studio icon

    Aptana Studio

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    • Free • Open Source
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    Aptana Studio is a complete web development environment that combines powerful authoring tools with a collection of online hosting and collaboration services that help you and your team do more. Includes support for PHP, CSS, FTP, and more...

    ⚫︎ Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in Aptana Studio simultaneously.
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    Screenshot
  11. jEdit icon

    jEdit

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    • Free • Open Source
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    jEdit is a mature programmer's text editor with hundreds (counting the time developing plugins) of person-years of development behind it.

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    jEdit on Windows
  12. SciTE icon

    SciTE

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    • Free • Open Source
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Xfce

    SciTE is a SCIntilla based Text Editor. Originally built to demonstrate Scintilla, it has grown to be a generally useful editor with facilities for building and running programs.

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    Screenshot
Showing 10 of 99 alternatives