Whether you’re building an app in Swift, debugging a Python script, or writing shell commands for a Linux server, choosing the right code editor can shape your workflow efficiency, project quality, and even your enjoyment as a developer. In 2024, the ecosystem of code editors continues to evolve rapidly with AI integration, cloud-based editing, and cross-platform compatibility. But with so many choices, how do you know which is the best?
This expert review dives deep into the best code editors available in 2024. We’ve benchmarked, tested, and compared tools across Windows, macOS, Linux, and even mobile platforms (Android and iOS). Whether you are a web developer, DevOps engineer, or mobile app creator, we’ve got you covered.
Evaluation Criteria
Before jumping into individual editors, let’s define how we’ve evaluated each:
- 🔧 Platform Support: Native availability on Windows, macOS, Linux; mobile support where applicable
- ⚙️ Performance: Load times, memory footprint, responsiveness with large files
- 🔌 Extensibility: Plugin ecosystem, integrations, AI coding support
- 💰 Pricing: Free tiers, pro features, cost in USD and EUR
- 🌍 Community: Size, documentation, support activity
1. Visual Studio Code (VS Code)
Overview
Visual Studio Code, developed by Microsoft, remains the undisputed leader in 2024. Free, open-source, and incredibly extensible, VS Code supports virtually every language, framework, and use case.
Platform Support
- Windows: Yes
- macOS: Yes
- Linux: Yes
- Web (cloud): Yes via vscode.dev
- Mobile: No native mobile app, but accessible via browser
Strengths
- Integrated Git control
- AI-assisted coding with GitHub Copilot
- Live Share for collaboration
- Thousands of extensions
- Terminal, debugger, and intelli-sense built-in
Weaknesses
- Can become sluggish with too many extensions
- No mobile app
Pricing
- Free (MIT license)
- GitHub Copilot (optional): $10/month (€9.30/month) for individuals
Verdict
✅ Best for all-purpose development across platforms.
2. JetBrains Fleet
Overview
JetBrains released Fleet, a modern, collaborative code editor with a clean UI and smart features. Unlike IntelliJ IDEA, Fleet is lightweight and cloud-aware, with native support for remote development.
Platform Support
- Windows, macOS, Linux
- Remote Cloud Workspace (via JetBrains Gateway)
- Mobile: No
Strengths
- Built-in AI assistance
- Project-aware syntax completion
- JetBrains remote ecosystem integration
- Optional terminal, debugger, version control
Weaknesses
- Still in active development
- Learning curve for new users
- Heavier than VS Code in some environments
Pricing
- $8.90/month (€8.30) for individual use
- Free for students and open-source contributors
Verdict
✅ Best for JetBrains ecosystem users and cloud-native teams.
3. Sublime Text 4
Overview
A longtime favorite among developers for its performance and simplicity, Sublime Text 4 offers lightning-fast responsiveness and clean editing. However, it’s less extensible than VS Code and lacks some modern collaborative features.
Platform Support
- Windows, macOS, Linux
- No mobile support
Strengths
- Unparalleled performance
- Multi-caret editing
- Split editing and distraction-free mode
- Python-based plugin system
Weaknesses
- No real-time collaboration
- Fewer extensions than competitors
- No built-in AI tools
Pricing
- $99 one-time fee (€92.50) per user
- Free evaluation with no time limit
Verdict
✅ Best for developers who prioritize speed and minimalism.
4. Nova (Panic)
Overview
Exclusive to macOS, Nova is a sleek and modern code editor developed by Panic Inc. It offers a native Mac experience that integrates well with Apple’s ecosystem, including shortcuts and iCloud.
Platform Support
- macOS only
- No Windows/Linux/Mobile versions
Strengths
- Beautiful macOS UI integration
- FTP/SFTP built-in
- Plugin ecosystem via extensions
- Excellent for HTML/CSS/JavaScript workflows
Weaknesses
- Limited community compared to VS Code
- macOS-only limits collaboration on mixed teams
Pricing
- $99/year (€92.50/year)
- 30-day free trial available
Verdict
✅ Best for Mac-first web developers who value design.
5. Neovim
Overview
A modern reimagining of Vim, Neovim is a terminal-based editor known for its efficiency and power-user appeal. In 2024, Neovim has expanded its Lua-based plugin ecosystem and even supports LSP (Language Server Protocol) and tree-sitter for better syntax highlighting.
Platform Support
- Windows, macOS, Linux
- Termux for Android (unofficial)
- No iOS support
Strengths
- Extremely lightweight
- Fully keyboard-driven
- Unparalleled customizability
- Works in SSH and remote terminals
Weaknesses
- Steep learning curve
- No GUI (unless paired with a GUI like LunarVim or OniVim)
- Poor mobile usability
Pricing
- Free and open-source
Verdict
✅ Best for power users and terminal-first developers.
6. Code Editor Apps for Mobile (Android & iOS)
Though mobile devices are not ideal for full-time development, sometimes editing on the go is essential. Here are the top mobile code editors:
a.
AIDE
(Android)
- Supports Java, C++, Kotlin, and Android development
- Git integration
- Premium version: $20/year (€18.50)
b.
Textastic
(iOS)
- Syntax highlighting for over 80 languages
- Works with iCloud, Git, and external keyboards
- One-time purchase: $9.99 (€9.30)
c.
Code Editor by Rythm Software
(Android)
- Lightweight and offline capable
- Supports SSH and SFTP
- Free with ads, or Pro at $4.99 (€4.60)
7. GitHub Codespaces
Overview
GitHub Codespaces brings full-blown Visual Studio Code to the browser with cloud-hosted environments. Perfect for Chromebook users, remote teams, or mobile development via browser.
Platform Support
- Web-based, works on Windows, macOS, Linux, iPadOS
- Requires GitHub account
Strengths
- Cloud IDE, no local setup
- Integrated with GitHub repos
- Full VS Code experience
Weaknesses
- Requires stable internet connection
- Can become expensive with scale
Pricing
- Starts at $0.18/hour (€0.17/hour) for compute time
- Free tier for small personal projects
Editor Comparison Table (2024)
| Editor | Platforms | AI Support | Extensibility | Price (USD / EUR) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VS Code | Win, macOS, Linux | ✅ Copilot | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Free / Free | All-around dev |
| JetBrains Fleet | Win, macOS, Linux | ✅ Built-in | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | $8.90 / €8.30 | Remote + IntelliJ users |
| Sublime Text 4 | Win, macOS, Linux | ❌ | ⭐⭐⭐ | $99 / €92.50 | Fast & minimal |
| Nova | macOS | ❌ | ⭐⭐⭐ | $99/year / €92.50 | macOS web dev |
| Neovim | Win, macOS, Linux | ❌ (config) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Free / Free | Power users |
| AIDE | Android | ❌ | ⭐⭐ | $20 / €18.50 | Android dev |
| Textastic | iOS | ❌ | ⭐⭐ | $9.99 / €9.30 | On-the-go editing |
| Codespaces | Web-based | ✅ Copilot | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Pay-as-you-go | Cloud workflows |
Conclusion
Choosing the best code editor in 2024 depends heavily on your workflow, preferred platform, and feature requirements. Here’s a final recommendation based on user profiles:
- 👩💻 Beginner Developer: Start with VS Code for its ease of use and rich documentation
- 👨💻 Power User/CLI Enthusiast: Go with Neovim and customize it to your heart’s content
- 🧑💻 Apple Developer: Try Nova for a native Mac experience
- 🌐 Remote/Team Developer: JetBrains Fleet or GitHub Codespaces
- 📱 Mobile Tweaker: Textastic (iOS) or AIDE (Android) for on-the-go editing
- ⚡ Speed Obsessed: Sublime Text 4 wins in performance
As we look ahead, expect code editors to evolve further into AI-enhanced environments and increasingly cloud-native stacks. But the core remains the same: fast, focused, flexible editing tools adapted to your dev life.