Although any text editor works for Hypertext Markup Language documents, some HTML editors optimize for the language’s specific syntax. We identified nine of the best free editors for Windows, based on customizability, features, and functionality.
Best for Web Designers and Front-End Developers: Notepad ++
Notepad++ is a favorite free note-taking app and code editor. It’s a more robust version of the Notepad software you find available in Windows by default.
Small download and program size.
Loads fast and runs light.
Auto-completion for words and functions.
Plug-in options to extend functionality.
May be less useful for languages like Java.
Notepad++ includes features such as line numbering, color coding, hints, and other helpful tools the standard Notepad application doesn’t have. These additions make it an ideal choice for web designers and front-end developers.
Best Open-Source, Free Editor: Komodo Edit
There are two versions of Komodo: Komodo Edit and Komodo IDE. Edit is open source and free to download. It’s a trimmed-down version of IDE.
Extensible through plug-ins.
Customizable appearance.
Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Excellent for XML editing.
No WYSIWYG editor.
Not the best editor for beginners.
Komodo Edit includes many great features for HTML and CSS development. Additionally, it allows you to add extensions for more language support or other helpful features, such as special characters.
Komodo doesn’t shine as the best HTML editor. Still, it’s great for the price, especially if you build in XML, where it truly excels.
Best for Web Application Development: Aptana Studio 3
Aptana Studio 3 offers an interesting take on web page development. Instead of focusing on HTML, it focuses on JavaScript and other elements that allow you to create rich internet applications.
Good for JavaScript.
Multiplatform support (Windows, Mac, and Linux).
Plug-ins expand supported languages.
Lack of major updates over the last few years.
Bulkier and sometimes slower than some other editors.
Aptana Studio 3 may not be the best fit for simple web design needs. But, if you’re looking more toward web application development, its toolset may be a great fit.
Best if You Write Java and Web Pages: Apache NetBeans
Apache NetBeans features a Java IDE that can help you build robust web applications.
Version control functionality.
Customizable appearance.
Specialized for Java.
Takes some time to learn.
Consumes a lot of system resources while running.
Can be slow to execute commands.
Like most IDEs, Apache NetBeans has a steep learning curve because it doesn’t often work in the same way as other web editors. Once you get used to it, however, you’ll find it very useful.
The IDE’s version control feature and developer collaboration features are especially useful for people working in large development environments. If you write Java and web pages, this is a great tool.
Best for Getting Started With Application Creation: Microsoft Visual Studio Community
Microsoft Visual Studio Community is a visual IDE to help web developers and other programmers create applications for the web, mobile devices, and the desktop. You may have used it previously, but Visual Studio Community is the software’s latest version.
Well-supported with updates and the addition of new features.
Supports a range of programming languages.
Nice, beginner-friendly design.
Premium features come with a high price tag.
Heavy program that consumes significant memory and processing power.
Bit of a learning curve for new users.
Microsoft offers a free download, as well as paid versions (that include free trials) for Professional and Enterprise users.
Microsoft Visual Studio Code is a free coding-only app that’s part of the Visual Studio suite but stands alone. It’s an excellent standalone code editor for dozens of coding and scripting languages.
Best WYSIWYG Editor: BlueGriffon
BlueGriffon is the latest in the series of web page editors that started with Nvu, progressed to Kompozer, and now culminates in BlueGriffon. It’s powered by Gecko, the Firefox rendering engine, so it does a great job of showing how work would be rendered in that standards-compliant browser.
Multiplatform support (Windows, Mac, and Linux).
WYSIWYG editor with previews.
Good for beginners.
Can suffer lag during use.
Lots of options may bewilder new users.
It’s available for Windows, macOS, and Linux and in a variety of languages.
This is the only true WYSIWYG editor that made this list. As such, it’s more appealing for beginners and small business owners who want a visual way to work, as opposed to a code-focused interface.
Best Full-Featured HTML Editor: Bluefish
Bluefish is a full-featured HTML editor that runs on various platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux.
A fast and lightweight program.
Multiplatform support (Windows, Mac, and Linux).
Primarily a code editor without a WYSIWYG interface.
Lacks an easy FTP upload feature.
Noteworthy features include code-sensitive spell check, autocomplete of many languages (HTML, PHP, CSS, and more), snippets, project management, and autosave.
Bluefish is primarily a code editor, not specifically a web editor. This means it has flexibility for web developers who write in more than HTML. However, if you’re a designer and want more of a web-focused or a WYSIWYG interface, Bluefish may not be for you.
Best for Creating Complex Web Applications: Eclipse
Eclipse is a complex development environment that’s perfect for people who do a lot of coding on various platforms and languages. It’s structured in a plug-in design, so if you need to edit something, find the appropriate plug-in, and go to work.
Plug-in design makes adding new languages simple.
Open source with a large community that makes problem-solving easier.
Not as light as other editors.
Consumes considerable system resources, especially on large projects.
If you create complex web applications, Eclipse has many features to make your project easier to build. It offers Java, JavaScript, and PHP plug-ins, as well as a plug-in for mobile developers.
Best for Web Design Beginners: CoffeeCup Free HTML Editor
The CoffeeCup HTML editor has a free version as well as a paid, full version. The free offering is a good product, but be aware that many of this platform’s best features require that you buy the full version.
Website server management is easy.
Good for HTML and CSS editing.
User-friendly and a good option for beginning designers.
Many features are only available with the paid version.
No WYSIWYG editor (unless you purchase).
Not the best editor for coding languages beyond web design.
CoffeeCup also offers an upgrade called Responsive Site Design 2 that supports responsive web design. This version can be added to a bundle with the full version of the editor.
This editor scored as well as Eclipse and Komodo Edit for web designers but didn’t rate as high for web developers. However, if you’re a beginner at web design and development, or you’re a small business owner, this tool has more features appropriate to you than either Komodo Edit or Eclipse.
Many sites list this as a free WYSIWYG editor. However, when we tested it, it required the purchase of CoffeeCup Visual Editor to enable WYSIWYG support. The free version is a very nice text editor only.
Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day
