Compare the Top Free Text Editors as of October 2026

What are Free Text Editors?

Text editors are software applications that allow users to create, edit, and manipulate plain text files. They are essential for writing and editing code, documentation, notes, and other types of text-based content. Text editors typically offer basic features like syntax highlighting, search and replace, and line numbering for developers, as well as more advanced features like version control integration, autocomplete, and code folding. While simple text editors allow basic editing, more advanced versions are widely used for their versatility and customization options, especially in programming and content creation. Compare and read user reviews of the best Free Text Editors currently available using the table below. This list is updated regularly.

  • 1
    Obsidian

    Obsidian

    Obsidian

    Obsidian is a powerful knowledge base that works on top of a local folder of plain text Markdown files. The human brain is non-linear: we jump from idea to idea, all the time. Your second brain should work the same. In Obsidian, making and following "connections" is frictionless. Tend to your notes like a gardener; at the end of the day, sit back and marvel at your own knowledge graph. Note-taking is incredibly personal. Tried every app, but there's always something not quite right? You deserve better. Obsidian is built to be extensible. With 22 core plugins and 149 community plugins, set up your own toolkit and get running in minutes. You'll even be able to install third party plugins or build your own once Obsidian reaches v1.0. Sky's the limit. In our age when cloud services can shut down, get bought, or change privacy policy any day, the last thing you want is proprietary formats and data lock-in. With Obsidian, your data sits in a local folder.
    Starting Price: $25 one-time payment
  • 2
    CKEditor 5

    CKEditor 5

    CKSource

    CKEditor 5 is a modern WYSIWYG rich text editor that can easily accommodate the requirements of businesses and users in the age of digital transformation. It allows software creators and developers to build powerful writing solutions for applications of all sorts, within hours. Thanks to a fully customizable framework, ready-to-use builds, native integrations, extensive documentation, and reliable customer support, the editor can be fully tailored to your needs. To provide users with an all-around streamlined and collaborative writing experience, you can additionally include advanced features such as Track Changes and Comments, Revision History, and (if preferred) Real-time Collaboration! Easy Export to PDF and Word, responsive images, pagination, Markdown input and output support, and robust paste from Word and Google Docs are also popular choices.
  • 3
    DroidEdit

    DroidEdit

    DroidEdit

    Take your work everywhere. Code while you're waiting for the bus or when you're relaxing in a nice beach. Edit your files directly from the cloud. DroidEdit works with Dropbox, Drive, Box, (S)FTP servers and Git. More file providers coming shortly. Syntax highlighting for almost 200 different programming languages. Don't rush to your office if you receive an emergency call asking you to change some code. Just pick your mobile phone and edit everything you need. Checkout, edit, commit and push directly from your phone or tablet. Some developers prefer dark backgrounds, others can only code on paper white screens. To each his own. Use one of the many provided themes for syntax highlighting. If you don't like any, create your own. Expand simple expressions into full fledged HTML code automagically using Emmet.
    Starting Price: Free
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