5 Best Code Editors 2022

This is a list of the 5 best Code Editors for Mac and Windows. What code editor is right for you?

The Defaults

If you’re on PC, you’ll likely have Notepad installed. If you’re on Mac, you’ll have TextEdit installed. Make sure you click on Format -> Make Plain Text before you start writing down any code or you’re in for a world of hurt 😂.

If you’ve been coding for more than one day, you’ll likely be wanting to upgrade. Below is a list of the top code editors on the market.

Cutting to the Chase

Based on Stackoverflow 2022 survey. Visual Studio Code remains the preferred IDE across all developers. There you have it, if you want to keep reading I won’t stop you.

Review

Throughout my career I’ve used many IDEs and code editors. I’ve had some great experiences and some bad ones. Below is my list of the best code editors out there now. Of course, the list might be different for some of you. It really depends on what you’re using them for.

#1 Visual Studio Code

Because of it’s popularity, you’ll be able to take advantage of a vast world of extensions that will make your life as a developer easier. It’s a bit of a memory hog, but it’s not Eclipse 😌

You’ll be hard pressed to find anything this good and its free!

Download it here

#2 Visual Studio

A comprehensive IDE for .NET developers that’s native to macOS. Includes top-notch support for web, cloud, mobile, and game development. If you’re building for .NET, Xamarin and Unity, this is propably one of your best options.

Download it here

#3 IntelliJ

Every aspect of IntelliJ IDEA has been designed to maximize developer productivity. Together, intelligent coding assistance and ergonomic design make development not only productive but also enjoyable.

If you’re developing in Java, you’ll probably end up here sooner or later.

Download it here

#4 Vim/Neovim

Neovim is a hyperextensible Vim-based text editor. Neovim is a refactor, and sometimes redactor, in the tradition of Vim (which itself derives from Stevie). It is not a rewrite but a continuation and extension of Vim. Many clones and derivatives exist, some very clever—but none are Vim. Neovim is built for users who want the good parts of Vim, and more.

If you’re trying to code fast and look cool doing it! This one is the one for you.

I’ve used vim for many years and I keep going back and forth between VS Code and Vim. VS Code does have a neat extension that lets you have the best of both worlds.

Download it here

#5 Notepad++

Notepad++ is a free (as in “free speech” and also as in “free beer”) source code editor and Notepad replacement that supports several languages. Running in the MS Windows environment, its use is governed by GNU General Public License.

Download it here

Note Worthy

Sublime Text

Before VS Code, most developers ended up here.

Download it here

Eclipse

I used Eclips for years! It was the most powerful opensource IDE out there and allowed me to develop for Flash using the SDKs