How to choose the best text editor for Mac? – Setapp

Text editors usually refer to programs used to edit text files, and are widely used, including programming, writing prose, taking notes, etc. Text editors have been one of the most important applications in the operating system since the beginning of the computer. However, few people spend a lot of time choosing an editor they may have used for years or even decades.

There are hundreds of text editors available for various operating systems on the market, and macOS is no exception. But it's almost impossible to say which one is the best text editor on your Mac. After all, the best choice depends on usage scenarios, personal preferences, and functional needs. However, we can list some of the best text editor applications for different categories, at least some reference directions for those who are looking for a suitable Mac text editor.

How to choose a Mac text editor

Text editors have a variety of application scenarios, but in most cases, they are mainly used for two things: writing code or creating prose (such as articles, e-books, white papers). While any Mac plain text editor can do both, the best text editor apps will often focus on one of them.

Often, any recommended Mac text editor is paid for, which makes it difficult to try a large number of editors and find the most suitable one. It would be much better if you could get all the editors at one time so you can spend enough time testing each editor as needed and switch easily when needed in the future.

Setapp offers the opportunity to provide all the best text editors in its ever-expanding collection of applications. Become a Setapp member (available for free trial), test each of the apps described below to learn what you really need and want.

Writing quality prose with a Mac plain text editor

Following the widespread popularity of word processors such as Microsoft Word, Apple Pages and Google Docs, there has been a strong trend to return to basics, simplify and focus on core functionality. Among the numerous popular apps, Ulysses and Focused stand out as the most versatile and user-friendly choices.

Ulysses combines power and simplicity

As almost the most popular plain text editor for Mac, Ulysses puts your writing environment first without any obstacles, but also supports a variety of features, from Markdown to built-in libraries to powerful export capabilities.

Markdown is a true boon because it allows you to mark plain text without affecting its readability while also making it ready to be published on the web. Thanks to Markdown support in large part, Ulysses allows you to export HTML, PDF, .docx, and ePub and integrate directly with WordPress and Medium. This means that ultimately all the writing can be concentrated in one place and distributed anywhere else when it is ready.

The built-in library synchronized via iCloud helps with a centralized writing approach, making everything accessible. You can create an unlimited number of folders, subfolders, and single notes – all of which are clearly displayed in the sidebar. This is much better than some other Mac plain text editors, as other editors may force you to save files in regular folders on your computer, making it cumbersome to create new small numbers of notes and organize related notes in one project.

Other great features of Ulysses include apps for iPhone and iPad, as well as the ability to attach images, PDFs, and other files. All of this makes Ulysses a truly great text editor for Mac and probably the only editor you need unless you are looking for a simpler editor.

Use Focused to eliminate all interference

Sometimes you have to use an overly complex word processor, whether it's working or otherwise collaborating. So what you are looking for next to you is a distraction-free writing environment. No functionality, only a perfect quiet writing experience. This is where you can find Focused.

As the name suggests, Focused eliminates all unnecessary features and aims to be a concise, interference-free writing experience.

Zen mode allows you to select ambient tracks to block noise and immerse yourself in your text in full screen – always focus on the center of the page (typewriter style). The typography is carefully designed and offers six options, from Avenir Next to Menlo fonts. Additionally, as the day goes on, you will find the theme color changes from white to beige to darker, which helps relieve eye strain.

In addition to all the visual design benefits, Focused supports Markdown syntax for easy network export, as well as the ability to save automatically and retrieve old edits.

When it comes to choosing a Mac plain text editor, Ulysses is the best choice for those looking for a primary writing tool, and Focused is ideal for a secondary non-disturbance writing experience. If you are looking for the best Mac code editor, then you can consider some other applications like TeaCode and CodeRunner.

Create beautiful, well-structured documents with Craft

If you need a professional text editor that creates well-structured, attractive documents and organizes your content, Craft is a great option.

The app contains many features. First, it supports Markdown and basic text formats. You can also add icons and cover images to customize the page. Speaking of pages, you can put the page inside the page and create a hierarchy where you can insert backlinks.

Craft’s unique feature is that you can convert pages within these pages into cards. Cards offer more visualization options to make your document more visually appealing. Craft also allows you to insert photos, videos and any files from your camera, photo gallery, files, or Unsplash. The app automatically arranges them in the optimal layout.

Can't overcome the writer's obstacles or find any interesting ideas? Craft’s AI Assistant will generate content ideas and help you get started in seconds!

Write effective notes with NotePlan

If you don’t have the goal to write an Amazon bestseller and just want a great tool to capture your thoughts and ideas, then this is the best one.

NotePlan is more of a productivity space than a text editor—a bit like an app that combines Evernote, Bear and Notion. It provides you with a clean note-taking interface, powerful Markdown, task tracking and more. You can integrate NotePlan with calendars and reminders and link notes with specific dates. Alternatively, you can simply open the app and start writing – NotePlan will organize all the notes in a nested folder.

You'll love the two-way links of the app for connected notes (very similar to the "mentioned" in Slack). Last but not least, NotePlan's fast CloudKit synchronization makes content transfer secure and easy. You can try the app with Setapp members – it has versions for macOS and iOS, and it can be tried for 7 days for free.

Create software using Mac Encoding Editor

If your goal is to write software, just using a good Mac text editor is of no help. No syntax support, no documentation, no code extender. Overall, this is difficult to achieve. What you need is a great Mac text editor for encoding. There are dozens of popular editors on the market, but TeaCode and CodeRunner seem to offer unique features, whether used alone or together.

Please read also:

• Best Markdown Editor
• Discord Markdown
• Best Mac word processing apps
• Get Microsoft Word for free on Mac

Quickly extend code with TeaCode

Let's just leave the goal of finding the best Mac code editor for now and mention how we can make any native Mac code editor better – by using the code extender in TeaCode.

The code extender allows you to specify repetitive functions, components, or templates and then paste them into the Mac encoding editor of your choice using predefined abbreviations. This way, TeaCode becomes your personal encoding library and can be used in any Mac text editor you like.

The app comes with over 70 code extenders for Swift, PHP, HTML, and other languages, giving you a glimpse into its possibilities. After that, you can create any number of code snippets of any programming language and use them as needed.

TeaCode also supports shortcut keys for searching and pasting code extenders, so you can focus on writing code and have it help you in the background of the menu bar. CodeRunner is the best choice when it comes to the best Mac HTML editor for use with TeaCode.

Writing and debugging any code using CodeRunner

If you keep jumping from one option to another, choosing the best Mac text editor can be a never-ending pursuit. Of course, you should try all the promising applications when starting your search, but it's usually better to stabilize and fully master a single Mac text editor for encoding. That's why it might be CodeRunner.

CodeRunner is a universal multilingual programming editor, which means it is equally suitable for beginners and experienced developers. Instead of trying to be the best Mac HTML editor, it supports over 25 languages ​​out of the box, but is also easy to scale to run any other language you need.

In addition to language support, CodeRunner also provides a lot of documentation in the application, so you don't have to be distracted to get online. Check all methods, functions, and objects that you don't remember exactly when they become obstacles.

More important than writing high-quality code is fast debugging. After all, most of the code you work on is already written, which makes debugging even more important. CodeRunner provides you with excellent options to set breakpoints to quickly scan for errors in your code, explore the call stack, and edit any misused variables – a valuable feature in any Mac encoding editor.

Select a text editor based on work

Always keep the ultimate goal in mind when choosing the right Mac text editor. Ulysses can be your reliable daily writing tool, while Focused is good at helping you complete your first draft without interruption. If you want to create well-structured documents and organize them, Craft is an excellent tool. TeaCode will enhance the encoding capabilities of any Mac text editor, especially CodeRunner, which is an excellent choice for software developers who focus on versatility and speed.

Most importantly, you don't have to rush to make a decision. As mentioned earlier, all of these apps are available on Setapp, as well as over 240 other high-quality apps and utilities to meet the needs of nearly all Mac, iPhone and iPad users. You can try each app for free for seven days and then pay $9.99 per month if you like Setapp. Try it! Creation has never been so perfect!

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