10 Best Free & Cheap HTML Editors for Beginners and Pros

Every company needs a website. You can hire web designers and developers to create it. Or you can try and do it yourself with HTML editors. There are tons of editors for all skill levels.

In this article, you’ll learn what an HTML editor is, when you should use it, and the features and pricing of different editors. This will help you choose the best HTML editor for your needs. 

What is an HTML editor?

An HTML Editor is software to create and/or edit HTML, CSS, and Javascript code. You can check the syntax and translate your code into other languages. Overall, it’s a faster way to write and edit code than just using a regular text editor.

What is an HTML email editor?

Email HTML is different from web HTML. To code good-looking HTML emails, you must be aware of these differences.

Or you can just forget about coding and check out our article listing the best free HTML email editors. These editors are drag-and-drop, meaning you can just add and customize all elements without coding. Some email builders will let you export and send your HTML emails with Gmail.

When should you use an HTML editor?

Every time you’d like to write or edit HTML or CSS code. It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or an advanced coder.  Developers use it to create their web pages from scratch. It’s much easier to write clean code and avoid mistakes because these editors highlight the errors. 

WYSIWYG Editors vs. HTML Text Editors

These are the two main types of HTML editors. 

WYSIWYG is an acronym for “What you see is what you get.” Users see the final result of a user interface or a document right away. This one doesn’t require a deep knowledge of HTML, so it’s an ideal option for beginners.

HTML text editors are for editing plain text and putting together a code. To use these tools properly, you should have at least a basic understanding of HTML. The most significant disadvantage of text editors is that you can’t see how your work looks. Yet, there are plenty of pros as well, for example, you can apply changes promptly and learn HTML faster while working. 

The 10 best HTML editors in 2025

We reviewed the most popular HTML editors and collected the 10 best for you. We took a look at the main features, differentiators, pricing, pros, and cons. Also, we check what actual users say about each editor. 

1. CoffeeCup

CoffeeCup is a WYSIWYG HTML editor packed with features. You have multiple ways to preview code. It’s ready for the semantic web, which means that search engines understand your content without you having to write all that code too.

CoffeeCup html editor interface

Main features

  • Import design templates. Download designs for a better experience and more efficient development.
  • Library of components. Use and modify certain items across multiple pages.
  • Preview and display a website. Split the user interface to code with a team or share to an external screen.
  • Error identification. To make sure your code works correctly.

Pricing 
CoffeeCup HTML editor has a trial version for 30 days. During this, you can test all the premium features for free. After that, you need to buy a license to continue using it for $29 only.

Why do people love it?
Some users think it’s a friendly solution for those with little knowledge of HTML. This HTML editor has plenty of templates to use, a tool for code completion, and power site management. But, many features have limited operating time, and CoffeeCup requires manual coding.

Star rating: 4/5

2. Notepad++

Notepad++ is a lightweight editor with a simple user interface. It’s exclusive to Windows. But, Linux users may work with it via Wine. Write in multiple documents at the same time by splitting the interface. Developers recommend this text editor for more advanced users.

NotePad++ html editor interface

Main features:

  • FTP connection. You can connect to the server files and directly edit them. 
  • Additional plugins. Create new plugins or integrate them to extend functionality.
  • Navigate with ease. Have a higher view of the document or zoom in on parts.

Pricing
Notepad++ is a free and open-source HTML code editor.

Why do people love it?
The program size is tiny, whereas the processing speed is quite fast. It also supports multiple programming languages, and it has a mobile version that allows you to write code without installing it into Windows. However, it might be challenging to use if you’re a newbie.

Star rating: 3,5/5

3. BlueGriffon

BlueGriffon is a simple HTML editor powered by Gecko. It has all the essential features and is available for all OS. 

BlueGriffon html editor interface

Main features

  • Black and light themes with responsive web design
  • The user interface is available in 20 languages
  • Open the last session tabs
  • Font manager

Pricing
You can download it for free but with limited functionality. You can buy a basic license for €75 or an EPUB license for € 195 (EU VAT included).

Why do people love it?
CEO of W3C finds this HTML WYSIWYG editor “an intuitive, modern and robust application.” Also, users talk about a vast number of features and responsive design.

Star rating: 4/5

4. Visual Studio Code

Microsoft developed VS Code which can be used in multiple languages. Developers can easily change colors, themes, or layout. Available on Mac, Windows, and Linux.

Visual Studio code html editor interface

Main features

  • Code debugging right in the editor
  • Customizable user interface
  • It works directly with Git and other SCM providers
  • Extensions don’t slow the processes down

Pricing
It’s completely free and easy to get started.

Why do people love it?
VS Code stands out in the market of the best HTML editors because of the customization and the option of functional extension. This editor supports almost all popular coding languages, has a decent plugin manager, and can be used as a good debugger. Others add that VS Code is consistently fast and easy to use.

Star rating: 5/5

5. Adobe Dreamweaver CC

Dreamweaver is developed by Adobe and works well only within the Adobe suite of products. It can be used as either an advanced text editor or a WYSIWYG one.

Adobe Dreamweaver html editor interface

Main features

  • Dynamic display that fits any screen and is available for multiple monitors
  • A code can be edited with a visual guide or without one
  • Workspace customization

Pricing
There’s no free version, but you can try and use a 7-day trial period to decide if it works for you. Then, there are a few subscription plans to choose from. The cheapest one is $20.99 per month on an annual subscription.

Why do people love it?
This editor supports front-end and back-end development. Users can quickly switch between code and design views. There are also some web design tools. For instance, it comes with Adobe Creative Cloud, and it’s easy for a designer to update files. The visual editor comes with drag-and-drop functionality to make it easier for non-tech users.

Star rating: 5/5

6. UltraEdit

More than 4 million users trust this HTML code editor. UltraEdit has so many features that it can be overwhelming for a newbie. You can fully customize it and work with cloud services in multiple languages and various cases.

UltraEdit html editor interface

Main features

  • Supports files larger than 4 GB
  • Checks spelling
  • Provides scripts to automate editing
  • Syntax formatting in plenty of programming languages
  • File comparison

Pricing
The cheapest version costs $79.95 a year, including up to five installs. UltraEdit has a 30-day free trial that you can use to test it.

Why do people love it?
It’s the best HTML for advanced users. UltraEdit will come in handy for system administrators, data analysts, programmers, etc. And good luck with checking all its capabilities!

Star rating: 5/5

7. Bare Bones Edit 

BBEdit is another HTML editor for Mac. It’s effortless to use if you have basic HTML knowledge because it has an intuitive interface. 

Bare Bones html editor interface

Main features

  • Syntax highlighting and code autocompletion
  • User-friendly interface to make quick changes across multiple files
  • Features for searching and editing the text

Pricing
Individual licenses start from $49.99, but you may also subscribe via App Store for $3.99 a month or $39.99 a year. And there’s a free 30-day trial to check all the editor’s features.

Why do people love it?
BBEdit covers all the basic needs for HTML coding, editing, and searching. It has a simple interface and is trusted by software developers, writers, and web authors. But if you want more advanced options, you will need to look for something another option in the list.

Star rating: 5/5

8. Froala

Froala is an ultra-fast HTML WYSIWYG editor. They claim is loads within 0,04 seconds. It has mobile apps for Android and iOS and can be embedded into your own apps as an alternative to TinyMCE and CKeditor.

Froala html editor interface

Main features

  • Compatible with the latest versions of HTML and CSS
  • Embed an HTML editor into your own apps
  • Add other plugins to extend its functionality
  • Multiple languages available

Pricing
Froala offers a few subscription plans that range from $239 per year to $2000 per year. Users can test the editor with a 30-day free trial with tech support before buying. You can also take their free online HTML editor for a spin to see how it works.

Why do people love it?
This HTML code editor is optimized for different devices and users. Froala is exceptionally lightweight and fast. Software companies can embed this editor into their own apps which cuts development times significantly.

Star rating: 4/5

9. Wix

Wix is a simple website builder and HTML editor perfect for beginners to build a website. If you’d like to create a personal blog or a portfolio, it’s a great choice. It also has lots of templates to choose from.

Wix html editor interface

Main features

  • More than 500 templates and themes
  • Easy to use drag-and-drop editor
  • Free hosting

Pricing
They have paid packages between $4.50 to $24.50 per month. You can also test the platform with a 14-day free trial.

Why do people love it?
Wix provides free hosting and you can design any website without coding skills with the drag-and-drop editor. Also, users say that it’s good value for what you’re getting. 

Star rating: 4,5/5

10. Atom (Sunsetting)

Atom is a free HTML editor developed and maintained by the GitHub community. Even though it’s a text editor, it still provides you with a visual preview. It’s suitable for both beginners and professional developers. The Atom text editor is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. 

Atom html editor interface

Main features:

  • Customize the interface and tailor the editor to your needs. You can choose a theme or create your own and modify the code to customize functionality.
  • Error checking and auto suggestion. The editor highlights errors and helps you to differentiate languages from each other. Auto-completion makes coding even faster.
  • Split interfaces. Code through different windows and files and compare.

Pricing
Atom text editor is a free open-source HTML editor. Download and code!

Why do people love it?
Atom is a good HTML editor for teamwork; you can share it and edit it in real time with the team and follow the host user’s moves. It has an integrated package manager. You will find your repeatedly used commands on a separate palette.

Star rating: 5/5

Note: GitHub is archiving Atom with the official sunset date of December 15, 2022.

Summing up the Best HTML Editors

It doesn’t matter if you’re a newbie or a professional coder. Everyone makes mistakes. And the editors above help you avoid them and code faster.

Coding may seem difficult at first, but the best HTML editors help you get started. For beginners, a WYSIWYG editor is a perfect choice. Try at least a few of these editors and decide which one fits you most. Once you have your site ready, don’t forget to add opt-in forms. If you’re not an advanced coder, the best way is to get lead generation tools.

Looking for a drag-and-drop landing page builder? Check out our list of the best responsive landing page builders.

Or if you’d like to create an online store for your business, have a look at our list of the top eCommerce platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which editor is used for HTML?

You can use Notepad++ for Windows or TextEdit for Mac as text editors for code. But to get started, we recommend going for a WYSIWYG editor, like CoffeeCup, which works on all OS.

What is the best program for HTML?

Atom is a WYSIWYG editor suitable for newbies and advanced users, too. It’s fast, works smoothly, and is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux.

What are professional HTML editors?

Atom, Notepad++, and Visual Studio Code are among the best free professional HTML editors. And for around 20-30 dollars a month, you can use premium ones, such as CoffeeCup or Adobe Dreamweaver CC.

Is Notepad++ suitable for web development?

Notepad++ is suitable for web development. Its major advantage is that it connects directly to a Web server through FTP and lets you edit the files.

Is Visual Studio good for HTML?

Visual Studio is a free editor which works with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Users can also install language extensions and work with other programming languages.

Who was the first HTML editor?

Tim Berners-Lee, a scientist and academic, came up with the first HTML editor in the early 1990s and made it easy to create, view, and edit web documents.

What is a WYSIWYG HTML editor?

WYSIWYG stands for “what you see is what you get.” WYSIWYG editors let you preview your code as you’re making changes. This makes it an excellent choice for beginners.

About Mor Mester


Mor Mester is the Head of Content Marketing at EmailVendorSelection. He's an email marketing and marketing automation expert with 6+ years of experience. Having tested and reviewed 100+ email marketing, marketing automation, CRM, ecommerce, SMS marketing, email verification, online course, and lead generation tools, he knows a good business software when he sees one.
After work, you can find him riding his bike on some trails.

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