Best Text Editors for LaTeX

A highly advanced text editor designed for coding, markup, and writing. With the Goto Anything feature, you can quickly access files using minimal keystrokes and effortlessly navigate to symbols, lines, or specific words. This editor allows you to make multiple edits simultaneously rather than repeating one change multiple times. Thanks to multiple selections, you can efficiently modify numerous lines at once, easily rename variables, and handle files more rapidly than you ever thought possible. The Command Palette provides access to less frequently used features, such as sorting, syntax adjustments, and indentation modifications. By entering just a few keystrokes, you can search for exactly what you need without the hassle of navigating through menus or remembering complex key commands. Additionally, Sublime Text boasts a robust Python API that enables the development of plugins to enhance its existing capabilities. With the ability to install Package Control through the command palette, you gain straightforward access to a wealth of community-created packages that can extend the editor's functionality even further. This makes it an invaluable tool for anyone looking to streamline their coding or writing process.

Notepad++ serves as a free alternative to traditional Notepad and is designed for editing source code across various programming languages. Functioning within the Microsoft Windows ecosystem, it operates under the terms of the GNU General Public License. The editor is built on the robust Scintilla editing framework and is developed using C++, making use of the pure Win32 API and Standard Template Library (STL) to achieve enhanced execution speed and a compact file size. By optimizing numerous processes while maintaining user-friendliness, Notepad++ aims to contribute to the reduction of global carbon dioxide emissions. The software’s efficiency allows computers to use less CPU power, enabling them to operate at lower energy levels, which in turn leads to reduced power consumption and a more sustainable environment. This approach exemplifies how software development can align with eco-friendly initiatives.

Apache NetBeans is a dynamic, open-source Integrated Development Environment (IDE) that supports the development of applications in various programming languages, such as Java, JavaScript, PHP, HTML5, and C/C++. Renowned for its modular framework, NetBeans equips developers with a comprehensive suite of tools and features tailored for creating desktop, mobile, and web applications. It boasts advanced code editing, debugging, and profiling functionalities, as well as an integrated visual GUI builder for crafting user interfaces in Java. Additionally, NetBeans provides support for multiple version control systems like Git, SVN, and Mercurial, enhancing collaborative efforts among teams. As a project under the Apache Software Foundation, NetBeans is continually refined by a vibrant community dedicated to expanding its capabilities, ensuring it remains a dependable and adaptable option for developers in numerous fields. Furthermore, its extensive documentation and tutorials make it accessible for both novice and experienced programmers alike.

TextMate is a robust and highly customizable text editor that supports a vast array of programming languages and is developed under an open-source license. The editor simplifies the process of making multiple edits simultaneously by allowing users to easily add several insertion points for quick code alterations. Users can specify their search criteria, and TextMate efficiently displays results, enabling quick navigation between matches, extraction of relevant text, or previewing intended replacements. It also features a file browser that highlights changes, an editor view that marks modified lines, and the ability to generate diffs for the current file's alterations, all while seamlessly integrating with major version control systems. Whether you're dealing with files that incorporate multiple languages, projects that utilize various build systems, or third-party code with different formatting styles, TextMate adeptly manages it all by linking comprehensive scope selectors to keyboard shortcuts and customized settings. Additionally, this flexibility ensures that developers can maintain their preferred workflows while efficiently navigating complex coding environments.

Geany stands out as a robust, efficient, and lightweight text editor designed specifically for programmers, offering a wealth of features that enhance productivity without slowing down the user experience. It is compatible with Linux, Windows, and MacOS, supports over 40 languages, and accommodates more than 50 programming languages natively. One of the main motivations behind creating Geany was the demand for a versatile, user-friendly, and cross-platform IDE/editor that combines flexibility with power. While various editors fulfill some of these criteria, many fail to adequately address others. Geany is distributed under the GPL v2 license, ensuring that users have the freedom to modify and improve the software, while also allowing the entire community to benefit from those enhancements. Its highly customizable components, such as color themes (known as Geany Themes) and the ability to add new file types, cater to diverse user preferences. Additionally, Geany is equipped with numerous settings that allow for extensive personalization, ensuring it meets the unique needs of its users, including support for popular programming languages like C, Java, PHP, HTML, and JavaScript. Ultimately, Geany appeals to developers looking for a reliable tool that combines simplicity with comprehensive functionality.

UltraEdit has been the preferred text editor for over 2 million users and many Fortune 100/500/1000 customers for almost three decades. UltraEdit is a powerful and fast data processor that can handle large files. It also supports almost any syntax or source language. UltraEdit is often referred to as the "Swiss Army knife" of text editors. It's a powerful tool that can be used by users across many industries and responsibilities. UltraEdit is able to solve almost any problem in text editing, including project management and programming. It can also handle large file manipulations, remote (FTP/SFTP), data sorting, column/block editing, advanced file searching, and text data reformatting. UltraEdit is available on Windows, Mac, and Linux. It is supported by a professional team of developers and customer service personnel located in the USA.

Textastic for Mac serves as an ideal desktop counterpart to the widely used iOS code editor. Featuring compatibility with over 80 source code and markup languages, it seamlessly extends the robust syntax highlighting capabilities of its iOS version to the Mac platform. Users can easily integrate their own syntax definitions that are compatible with TextMate and Sublime Text. The Mac version is derived from the same code editor that powers the iOS application, ensuring a consistent experience. It utilizes native macOS APIs like Core Text, which enhances performance and speed. The app simplifies your workflow with features such as code completion, file navigation through a symbol list, and support for contemporary Mac functionalities like Auto Save and Versions. Additionally, with iCloud Drive integration, syncing files between macOS and iOS devices becomes a hassle-free process. This application not only supports a vast array of coding languages but also includes features such as iCloud auto-save and macOS Versions, making it a comprehensive tool for developers. Furthermore, it allows for the importation of syntax definitions, themes, and templates from TextMate, enhancing its customization options.

Typora offers a fluid experience for users, serving effectively as both a writing and reading tool. It eliminates the need for a preview window, mode switcher, or any markdown syntax symbols, thereby cutting out unnecessary distractions. Instead, it features a live preview option that allows you to focus solely on your content. The software also facilitates file management with an easily accessible file tree panel and an article list panel, enabling you to organize your files according to your preferences, including integration with sync services such as Dropbox or iCloud. You can effortlessly view the outline structure of your documents in the outline panel, making navigation throughout the document quick and intuitive, as you can jump to any section with just one click. Additionally, Typora allows you to export your work to PDF complete with bookmarks. You can further enhance your productivity by importing and exporting various other formats, such as docx, OpenOffice, LaTeX, MediaWiki, and Epub. To top it off, you can track your document’s length in terms of words, characters, lines, or estimated reading time, providing you with valuable insights into your writing. This comprehensive functionality makes Typora a powerful tool for anyone involved in writing or content creation.

Quiver is an innovative notebook designed specifically for developers, allowing for seamless integration of text, code, Markdown, and LaTeX all within a single note. Users can edit their code using a powerful code editor, enjoy live previews of their Markdown and LaTeX, and quickly locate any note through comprehensive full-text search capabilities. Each note in Quiver consists of various cells that can contain snippets of text, code, Markdown, LaTeX (utilizing MathJax), or diagrams, such as flowcharts and sequence diagrams, enabling a flexible approach to note-taking. Notably, you can incorporate multiple types of cells within one note and assign different programming languages to various code cells as needed. The notebook is engineered to simplify code editing, featuring the remarkable ACE code editor in its code cells, which supports syntax highlighting for over 120 programming languages, boasts more than 20 themes, and includes automatic indenting and outdenting functionalities. Quiver also allows users to format their Markdown with inline options and apply custom CSS styles, while a live preview window displays the rendered Markdown in real-time as you type. Additionally, Quiver employs MathJax to effectively typeset complex mathematical equations written in LaTeX, enhancing its utility for technical documentation. Overall, Quiver stands out as a versatile tool for programmers who desire an efficient and organized way to manage their notes and code snippets.

Carry your work with you wherever you go, whether you're waiting for public transport or unwinding on a sunny beach. You can conveniently edit your files straight from the cloud, as DroidEdit is compatible with various platforms like Dropbox, Drive, Box, (S)FTP servers, and Git, with even more file providers on the way. It boasts syntax highlighting for nearly 200 programming languages, making it a versatile choice for developers. When an urgent call comes in requesting code modifications, there's no need to rush back to the office; simply grab your mobile device and make the necessary changes on the go. You can check out, edit, commit, and push updates directly from your smartphone or tablet, ensuring you stay productive no matter where you are. Everyone has their own preferences—some developers thrive with dark themes, while others favor bright white backgrounds. With a variety of themes available for syntax highlighting, you can easily find one that suits your style, or even design your own if you wish. Additionally, streamline your coding process by using Emmet to transform simple expressions into fully developed HTML code automatically. This flexibility allows you to code efficiently while enjoying the freedom of mobility, making it easier than ever to stay on top of your projects.

CodeRunner is an efficient, lightweight programming text editor and integrated development environment (IDE) tailored for macOS. This versatile application was crafted to accommodate a diverse array of popular programming languages and execute them without delay. By default, it can run code in 25 different languages, but users can easily configure it to support additional languages through their respective terminal commands. With a robust offering of over 200 syntax modes, an array of advanced editing capabilities, and thoughtful design elements, CodeRunner is sure to become your preferred editor for all types of text files. Its code completion functionality stands out as one of the finest available in any IDE, featuring intelligent text matching that goes beyond mere single-word suggestions. The extra-fuzzy search algorithm allows users to swiftly locate the right completion among thousands, supplemented by useful documentation snippets and a smart ranking system for results. Instead of cluttering your code with print statements for debugging, take advantage of CodeRunner's comprehensive built-in debugging tools, which allow you to set breakpoints and step through your code seamlessly. With its user-friendly interface and powerful features, CodeRunner is ideal for both novice programmers and seasoned developers alike.

Buffer Editor is an innovative code and text editing tool designed for seamless software development, code viewing, or note-taking while on the move. Countless programmers rely on Buffer Editor for its swift, robust, and sophisticated coding capabilities on mobile platforms. It allows users to preview a variety of file types compatible with iOS, such as images, PDFs, videos, and documents. You can effortlessly toggle between your currently open files and even open several terminals in separate tabs. Additionally, you can preview content both on localhost and your own server, enhancing your workflow and productivity. With its user-friendly interface and extensive features, Buffer Editor truly stands out in the realm of mobile coding applications.