Compare the Top Code Editors as of October 2026

What are Code Editors?

Code editors are software tools that allow developers to write, edit, and debug source code for programming and web development. These editors provide essential features like syntax highlighting, code completion, auto-indentation, and error detection to enhance productivity and reduce coding errors. Many code editors also offer integrations with version control systems (like Git), debuggers, and build tools, allowing developers to manage their code and workflows efficiently. While some code editors are lightweight and focused solely on text editing, others offer extensive features and customization options through plugins and extensions. By providing a streamlined environment for coding, code editors are essential for software development, web development, and scripting tasks. Compare and read user reviews of the best Code Editors currently available using the table below. This list is updated regularly.

  • 1
    Visual Studio Code
    Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is Microsoft’s open-source AI code editor designed to make coding faster, smarter, and more collaborative. It supports thousands of extensions and nearly every programming language, offering developers a lightweight yet powerful environment for writing, testing, and debugging code. With AI-powered features like GitHub Copilot, Next Edit Suggestions, and Agent Mode, VS Code helps you code with precision, automate complex tasks, and streamline development workflows. It integrates seamlessly with cloud services, remote repositories, and tools like Git, Docker, and Azure. The editor is fully customizable, allowing you to personalize your layout, color themes, and keyboard shortcuts. Whether coding locally or in the browser, VS Code delivers a complete development experience for individuals and teams alike.
    Leader badge
    Starting Price: Free
  • 2
    IntelliJ IDEA

    IntelliJ IDEA

    JetBrains

    IntelliJ IDEA is a professional-grade integrated development environment (IDE) primarily designed for Java and Kotlin development. It helps developers write code faster by automating routine tasks and providing smart coding assistance. The IDE supports the full software development lifecycle, from design and coding to testing and deployment. IntelliJ IDEA stays up to date with the latest language features, such as full support for Java 24 and Kotlin K2 mode. It offers a smooth and enjoyable workflow that helps developers stay focused and productive. The platform also emphasizes data privacy and security, complying with industry standards like SOC 2.
    Leader badge
    Starting Price: $19.90 per user per month
  • 3
    Devin Desktop

    Devin Desktop

    Cognition

    Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) is an AI-powered development environment that combines a full-featured IDE with advanced coding agents in a unified workspace. Formerly known as Windsurf, the platform enables developers to manage local and cloud-based AI agents, delegate tasks, review code, and ship software without leaving their editor. Developers can use multiple coding agents simultaneously to research, write, test, debug, and improve code while maintaining full visibility into every change. Devin Desktop includes features such as agent orchestration, shared workspaces, intelligent code completion, contextual code search, and integrated review tools. The platform supports a wide range of models, extensions, language servers, and MCP integrations, allowing teams to work with their preferred tools and workflows. Devin Desktop helps engineering teams accelerate software development, improve productivity, and manage AI-assisted coding at scale.
    Leader badge
    Starting Price: Free
  • 4
    Sublime Text

    Sublime Text

    Sublime HQ

    A sophisticated text editor for code, markup and prose. Use Goto Anything to open files with only a few keystrokes, and instantly jump to symbols, lines or words. Make ten changes at the same time, not one change ten times. Multiple selections allow you to interactively change many lines at once, rename variables with ease, and manipulate files faster than ever. The Command Palette holds infrequently used functionality, like sorting, changing the syntax and changing the indentation settings. With just a few keystrokes, you can search for what you want, without ever having to navigate through the menus or remember obscure key bindings. Sublime Text has a powerful, Python API that allows plugins to augment built-in functionality. Package Control can be installed via the command palette, providing simple access to thousands of packages built by the community.
    Leader badge
    Starting Price: $80 one-time fee
  • 5
    PyCharm

    PyCharm

    JetBrains

    All the Python tools in one place. Save time while PyCharm takes care of the routine. Focus on the bigger things and embrace the keyboard-centric approach to get the most of PyCharm's many productivity features. PyCharm knows everything about your code. Rely on it for intelligent code completion, on-the-fly error checking and quick-fixes, easy project navigation, and much more. Write neat and maintainable code while the IDE helps you keep control of the quality with PEP8 checks, testing assistance, smart refactorings, and a host of inspections. PyCharm is designed by programmers, for programmers, to provide all the tools you need for productive Python development. PyCharm provides smart code completion, code inspections, on-the-fly error highlighting and quick-fixes, along with automated code refactorings and rich navigation capabilities.
    Leader badge
    Starting Price: $199 per user per year
  • 6
    Notepad++

    Notepad++

    Notepad++

    Notepad++ is a free 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. Based on the powerful editing component Scintilla, Notepad++ is written in C++ and uses pure Win32 API and STL which ensures a higher execution speed and smaller program size. By optimizing as many routines as possible without losing user friendliness, Notepad++ is trying to reduce the world carbon dioxide emissions. When using less CPU power, the PC can throttle down and reduce power consumption, resulting in a greener environment.
    Leader badge
    Starting Price: Free
  • 7