The Most Popular Code Editor, Ranked

Choose the code editor you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Jul 17, 2024 06:45
For developers, choosing a code editor is a personal decision heavily influenced by individual needs, coding style, and the nature of the projects they tackle. A suitable code editor can enhance productivity, streamline workflows, and even make coding more enjoyable. Consequently, understanding which editors are favored by the broader community can provide valuable insights, especially for those new to coding or those considering a change. By participating in voting for their preferred code editors, users contribute to a dynamic list that helps others make informed decisions. This ongoing input from the community ensures the rankings reflect the current trends and preferences in the development world. Moreover, this feedback loop helps newcomers and experienced developers alike see which tools are at the forefront of the coding community's preference.

What Is the Most Popular Code Editor?

  1. 1
    72
    points
    Visual Studio Code

    Visual Studio Code

    A free, open-source code editor developed by Microsoft for Windows, Linux, and macOS. Features include support for debugging, syntax highlighting, intelligent code completion, snippets, code refactoring, and embedded Git.
    • Initial Release: April 29, 2015
    • License: MIT License
  2. 2
    23
    points
    Atom

    Atom

    A free and open-source text and source code editor for macOS, Linux, and Microsoft Windows with support for plug-ins written in Node.js, and embedded Git Control, developed by GitHub. Atom is a desktop application built using web technologies.
    • Initial Release: February 26, 2014
    • License: MIT License
  3. 3
    18
    points

    Sublime Text

    A shareware cross-platform source code editor with a Python API. It natively supports many programming languages and markup languages, and functions can be added by users with plugins, typically community-built and maintained under free-software licenses.
    • Initial Release: January 18, 2008
    • License: Proprietary
  4. 4
    16
    points
    Notepad++

    Notepad++

    A free source code editor and Notepad replacement that supports several languages. Running in the MS Windows environment, its use is governed by GPL License.
    • Initial Release: November 24, 2003
    • License: GPL
  5. 5
    15
    points

    Brackets

    A source code editor with a primary focus on web development. Created by Adobe Systems, it is free and open-source software licensed under the MIT License, and is currently maintained by the community. Brackets is crafted from the ground up for web designers and front-end developers.
    • Initial Release: November 4, 2014
    • License: MIT License
  6. 6
    15
    points
    IntelliJ IDEA

    IntelliJ IDEA

    An integrated development environment (IDE) written in Java for developing computer software. It is developed by JetBrains (formerly known as IntelliJ), and is available as an Apache 2 Licensed community edition, and in a proprietary commercial edition.
    • Initial Release: January 2001
    • License: Apache License 2.0 (Community Edition), Proprietary (Ultimate Edition)
  7. 7
    12
    points
    Eclipse

    Eclipse

    An integrated development environment (IDE) used in computer programming, and the most widely used Java IDE. It contains a base workspace and an extensible plug-in system for customizing the environment. Eclipse is written mostly in Java and its primary use is for developing Java applications, but it may also be used to develop applications in other programming languages via plug-ins.
    • Initial Release: November 7, 2001
    • License: Eclipse Public License
  8. 8
    1
    points
    Emacs

    Emacs

    An extensible, customizable, free/libre text editor — and more. At its core is an interpreter for Emacs Lisp, a dialect of the Lisp programming language with extensions to support text editing. The features of GNU Emacs include content-aware editing modes, including syntax coloring, for many file types. Complete built-in documentation, including a tutorial for new users.
    • Initial Release: March 20, 1976
    • License: GNU GPL
  9. 9
    1
    points
    Vim

    Vim

    A highly configurable text editor built to enable efficient text editing. It is an improved version of the vi editor distributed with most UNIX systems. Vim is often called a 'programmer's editor,' and so useful for programming that many consider it an entire IDE. It's not just for programmers, though; Vim is perfect for all kinds of text editing, from composing email to editing configuration files.
    • Initial Release: November 2, 1991
    • License: Vim License
  10. 10
    0
    points
    PyCharm

    PyCharm

    An integrated development environment (IDE) used in computer programming, specifically for the Python language. It is developed by the Czech company JetBrains. It provides code analysis, a graphical debugger, an integrated unit tester, integration with version control systems (VCSes), and supports web development with Django.
    • Initial Release: February 2010
    • License: Apache License 2.0 (Community Edition), Proprietary (Professional Edition)

Missing your favorite code editor?

Graphs
Error: Failed to render graph
Discussion
No discussion started, be the first!

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular code editor. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or editor is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 2853 views
  • 173 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Movers & Shakers

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each editor once every 24 hours. The rank of each editor is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

Categories

Additional Information

More about the Most Popular Code Editor

Visual Studio Code
Rank #1 for the most popular code editor: Visual Studio Code (Source)
Code editors have become essential tools for developers. They help write, edit, and manage code efficiently. The rise of software development has increased the need for robust and user-friendly code editors. These tools simplify coding tasks and enhance productivity.

A good code editor offers several features. Syntax highlighting is one of the most important. It displays code in different colors and fonts based on the language. This makes it easier to read and understand. Syntax highlighting helps spot errors and improves the coding experience.

Another key feature is auto-completion. As developers type, the editor suggests possible completions for code statements. This saves time and reduces the chance of errors. Auto-completion also helps new developers learn coding standards and practices.

Integrated development environments (IDEs) often include debugging tools. These tools help find and fix errors in code. They allow developers to set breakpoints, step through code, and inspect variables. This makes debugging faster and more efficient.

Version control integration is another useful feature. It allows developers to manage changes to their codebase. Integration with version control systems helps track changes, revert to previous versions, and collaborate with others. This is crucial for large projects with multiple contributors.

Customization is a major advantage of modern code editors. Developers can personalize the editor to fit their needs. They can change themes, add extensions, and configure settings. This flexibility makes the editor more comfortable and efficient to use.

Many code editors support multiple programming languages. This versatility is important for developers who work with different languages. They can use the same editor for various projects, saving time and effort.

Code editors also offer built-in terminal support. This allows developers to run commands without leaving the editor. It streamlines the development process and keeps everything in one place.

Collaboration features are becoming more common in code editors. Real-time collaboration tools let developers work together on the same codebase. This is useful for pair programming and team projects. It improves communication and reduces the chance of conflicts.

Code snippets are another helpful feature. They allow developers to save and reuse common code patterns. This speeds up development and ensures consistency across projects.

Extensions and plugins enhance the functionality of code editors. They add new features and improve existing ones. Developers can choose from a wide range of extensions to suit their needs. This makes the editor more powerful and versatile.

User interface design is important for code editors. A clean, intuitive interface makes the editor easy to use. It reduces distractions and helps developers focus on their work.

Regular updates and community support are vital for code editors. Active development ensures that the editor stays current with new technologies and practices. A strong community provides help, shares knowledge, and creates extensions.

In summary, code editors are indispensable tools for developers. They offer features that simplify coding, improve productivity, and enhance collaboration. The best editors are customizable, versatile, and user-friendly. They support multiple languages, integrate with version control, and provide debugging tools. Regular updates and community support ensure that they remain relevant and useful.

Share this article