When it comes to web design and development, HTML is a foundation that’s hard to shake off. Even if you primarily use more advanced scripts like PHP you often won’t be able to completely avoid using some HTML code.
When it comes to coding with HTML, you should use an HTML editor. These allow you to edit and code will less potential impact from unseen (and unwanted) code additions. These editors also often include helpful features like syntax highlights and advanced formatting.
What is an HTML Editor?
An HTML editor is a software application for creating web pages. If you're new to web development, an HTML editor can make the process of building a website much easier.
Although the HTML markup of a web page can be written with any text editor, specialized HTML editors can offer convenience and added functionality.
In contrast to text editors, which are designed for editing plain text files, HTML editors provide the ability to work with common web development technologies such as CSS, JavaScript, and server-side scripting languages like PHP.
Typically they will also provide features that allow you to preview your page during design time or even live on the Web, upload and download files from your web server, and many others that are useful in designing and maintaining a website.
HTML vs WYSIWYG Text Editors
A WYSIWYG editor is a visual tool that lets you write, edit, and create HTML code without actually looking at the code itself. In many ways, it's a lot like using Microsoft Word or Google Docs in that you can focus on creating content, not worrying about formatting.
The text you see on the page is what people will see when they view your website. You can use a WYSIWYG editor to format text as bold and italic or add headings and lists. When working with images, you can adjust the size of an image or position it to appear next to a caption.
These editors are great for quick fixes or small updates, but not so useful for complex websites or direct control over how your website appears on the web.
Quick Comparison to HTML Editors
1. Notepad++
Notepad++ is a free, open-source text editor that has been on the market for over 20 years and has a lot to offer. Aside from HTML, it supports several programming languages, running on the Microsoft Windows platform.
Is Notepad++ A Good HTML Editor?
It supports a built-in hex and character viewer, syntax highlighting, auto-completion of keywords and other code snippets, and drag-and-drop functionality for quick insertion of your frequently used text or external files. The program also supports macros, plug-ins, and scripts written in Python or Perl.
Notepad++ also boasts customization options in the form of several plugins that allow you to increase or adjust existing functionalities as well as add new ones; there are even plugins designed specifically for web development.
2. HTML Kit
The HTML Kit is a powerful, easy-to-use HTML editor that allows you to create web pages without the need for any knowledge of HTML or programming. The HTML Kit is completely free and a very versatile option to use.
Is HTML Kit Useful for HTML Editing?
Features include customizable syntax highlighting for multiple programming and markup languages, both simple text and WYSIWYG style HTML editors, a spell checker with several dictionaries, a code snippets library, and a built-in FTP client.
The program also includes a range of templates to simplify the process of creating standard web pages; there are project management tools to manage your website files as well as a built-in validator.
3. Komodo Edit
Komodo Edit is a solid, free HTML editor. It's open-source and supports most languages, such as JavaScript, PHP, CSS, Python, and Ruby. There are some good features (such as code completion), and you can customize it with a number of themes.
What is Komodo Edit Used For?
Komodo also has an extension system that allows you to download extensions from the official website to add additional functionalities such as support for programming languages other than the ones supported by default or new themes.
Most developers who use Komodo Edit cite its easy-to-use interface and excellent support as reasons to choose this particular text editor over others. One drawback that users report is that this isn't quite as full-featured as their paid software offering, Komodo IDE.
4. Vim
Vim is an extensible text editor built to enable efficient text editing. It's an improved version of the vi editor distributed with most UNIX systems. Vim is often called a “programmer's editor,” and is so useful for programming that many consider it an entire IDE.
Why is Vim a Popular Online HTML Editor?
It's not just for programmers, though. Vim is perfect for all kinds of text editing, from composing emails to editing configuration files. Vim supports many advanced techniques, including multiple buffers, syntax highlighting and folding, filename completion, global abbreviation facilities, sorting lines, and undo branches.
Vim is highly customizable and extensible through plugins, scripts, and mappings that can be added to extend its functionality. It's possible to tweak every single aspect of your user experience to make it work exactly how you want it to work.
5. TinyMCE
The free version of TinyMCE is a WYSIWYG editor, which means you can see what the final product looks like as you work on it. This is great for beginners because it makes learning HTML more intuitive and less confusing.
Is TinyMCE a Good Online HTML Editor?
The paid version of this editor has a cloud-based service that takes some of the legwork out of adding media to your site. One other benefit that's worth mentioning is that there's a free trial available so you can test out all the features before committing to anything.
Overall, TinyMCE can be a good choice for anyone who wants an easy-to-use HTML editor with lots of functionality and support options on top of it.
6. Apache NetBeans (WYSIWYG Editor)
Apache NetBeans is a free online HTML editor that has been around for a long time. It's an open-source platform, so it can be used across platforms and devices. It includes support for HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, PHP, C/C++ and more.
What is Apache NetBeans Used For?
The editor allows you to work with the HTML code in an easy way: it highlights syntax errors, offers suggestions for correct code formatting, and detects duplicate tags. There’s also advanced support for CSS with the ability to display element colors and hints on how to change them.
Apache NetBeans HTML Editor is an open-source component of the Apache NetBeans IDE. With its flexible layout options, support for WYSIWYG editing, and multi-browser previewing capabilities, the NetBeans HTML Editor makes it easy for even novice users to create visually stunning Web content
7. Google Web Designer (WYSIWYG Editor)
The Google Web Designer HTML Editor is a WYSIWYG editor that allows you to create and edit web pages using the same code used to build your website. You can use this tool to create, edit, and preview your HTML5 sites or landing pages in real-time.
Why Google Web Designer?
The visual editor provides an intuitive drag-and-drop interface for creating websites without touching any code. It also gives you the freedom to customize elements with advanced CSS properties. The interface is very similar to that of Dreamweaver CC and some other Adobe products but with a more modern look and feel.
While you can easily export your projects the most distinct feature of Google Web Designer is its ability to integrate with Google Analytics. That allows you not just to build but also to see how users interact with your website vis a single dashboard.
8. CKEditor
CKEditor is an open-source lightweight HTML editor that offers a lot of baked-in features, including text formatting, tables, lists, images, and media embedding. It's a powerful tool for adding content to websites.
Is CKEditor A Plugin?
Because it's open-source and has been around for over 15 years, CKEditor has a variety of plugins available on its website, which allow you to customize your editor even further or add additional functionality. Some examples are MailChimp integration and Facebook comments.
If you're just starting out as a web developer or need to edit content as part of your job responsibilities but aren't very experienced in the tech world, CKEditor 4 is an excellent choice.
9. Atom
Atom is a free and open-source text editor created by GitHub. It is designed for developers, which makes it highly customizable. You have the ability to create your own themes and packages using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Is Atom Good for HTML Editing?
Atom has numerous built-in packages as well as a package manager for installing new ones. It allows developers to download dozens of additional features, including support for Markdown language, teletype collaboration tools, and autocomplete-plus for writing code faster. Atom can also be used with the Electron framework to create desktop apps.
While Atom does not offer full website development capabilities like Dreamweaver or Webflow, it can be extended through add-ons such as Pigments that allow you to work in color easily.
Conclusion
Saying which HTML editor is the best is no easy feat. Each one has its own strengths and weaknesses, and some people may be more comfortable with one than the other. The good news is that whatever HTML editor you end up choosing, they all seem to be solid choices.
If you're looking for a good HTML editor, my personal recommendation would go to Notepad++. I've used it personally, and it's very useful in terms of helping you create a code that works without being overly complex or pretentious.
FAQs to HTML Editors
There are several factors to consider when choosing an HTML editor. You should look for the features, user interface, price, community and support, extensibility and platform support. Every HTML editor has their own pros and cons, just give it a try and see which one works the best for you.
1. Choose a free/paid HTML editor.
2. Learn the basics of HTML and CSS, the languages that create the structure and website design.
3. Use HTML editor to write your HTML and CSS code.
4. Preview your website and most HTML editors have a built-in browser to allow you to see how your website will look in a web browser.
5. Find a web hosting service to host your website online.
6. Maintain your website by updating your content regularly and fixing issues.
Yes, it is just like other software and can be vulnerable to hacking attacks. A hacker can hack into the software's code to gain unauthorized access or steal sensitive information. They can also trick users into entering personal information or downloading malware through phishing or social engineering. Therefore, always update your software and apply security patches (if available) and be cautious when downloading software or clicking on links.
