Linux users often want to edit text files. A text editor is a program that lets you read and edit text files. There are many text editors available for Linux.
Whether you’re writing code, configuring system files, or simply jotting down notes, the right Linux text editor can make all the difference.
In this guide, we’ve curated a list of the Best Linux Text Editors to help you find the perfect tool for your needs.
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10 Best Linux Text Editors in 2023
Here are the ten best Linux text editors:
1. Vim
Vim is a very popular text editor for Linux. It has been around for a long time. Vim stands for Vi Improved.
It is an improved version of the Vi text editor. Vim comes installed on most Linux distributions by default.
Vim has lots of powerful features. It lets you edit text very quickly once you learn the keyboard shortcuts. Vim has modes for inserting text, editing text, and running commands.
The editing mode lets you combine keyboard commands to edit text very fast. Vim lacks a graphical user interface.
It runs inside the terminal. Vim is a great choice for programmers and power users.
2. Emacs
Emacs is another text editor with a long history. It has been around since the 1970s! Emacs stands for Editor MACroS.
It has lots of features that you can customize using macros. Emacs supports many programming and markup languages.
It has a graphical user interface as well as a terminal mode. Emacs has an extensive plugin system for adding more features.
Emacs has a steep learning curve. It takes time to learn all the commands and features. But it is very powerful once you become an expert.
Emacs is popular with programmers and developers. They use it for writing code and editing configuration files.
3. Atom
Atom is a newer open-source text editor made by GitHub. It is modern and very user-friendly.
It runs on Electron which allows web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. This makes Atom customizable using plugins and themes.
Atom has a clean graphical interface. It comes with lots of useful features for programmers. This includes syntax highlighting, auto-completion, and file browser.
Atom has a large library of plugins to add more functionality. The editor is easy to install and configure. Atom is a great option for users new to Linux.
4. Brackets
Brackets is another open-source text editor that uses web technologies. It is developed by Adobe and optimized for web development.
Brackets support HTML, CSS, and JavaScript right out of the box. Useful features for web design and front-end development are built-in.
The Live Preview feature lets you edit CSS and HTML and instantly see the changes. File paths are shown in the Brackets sidebar to easily navigate projects.
There are also convenient color pickers, code hints, and more. Brackets are beginner-friendly but also suitable for experienced web developers.
5. Sublime Text
Sublime Text is an extremely popular text editor for Linux. It has a proprietary license but you can download and evaluate it for free.
Sublime Text is fast, easy to use, and flexible. It supports many programming and markup languages.
Some key features of Sublime Text include split editing, instant project switch, lots of shortcuts, and easy copy/paste.
Sublime Text is customizable with themes, color schemes, and key bindings. There are also thousands of plugins to add more functionality. The editor is very lightweight and responsive.
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6. Visual Studio Code
Visual Studio Code is a powerful open-source text editor made by Microsoft. It is based on Electron and uses web technologies.
VS Code runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows. It comes with built-in support for JavaScript, TypeScript, Node.js, Python, and more.
VS Code has excellent programming features like debugging, intelligent code completion, and embedded Git.
It has a very active plugin ecosystem to extend the editor. The interface is highly customizable with themes, keyboard shortcuts, and snippets. VS Code is a great option for web developers.
7. gEdit
gEdit is a simple open-source text editor that comes with the GNOME desktop environment. It has a clean and intuitive graphical interface.
gEdit supports syntax highlighting for many file types including code, markup, and plain text. Useful features include line numbering, automatic indentation, file comparison, and print preview.
gEdit is designed to be easy to use out of the box. No extensive configuration is required.
Additional plugins can also be installed like spell check, paste history, file browsers, and more. gEdit is a solid basic editor for new Linux users.
8. Kate
Kate is a full-featured text editor that is part of the KDE desktop environment. It provides extensive support and tools for developers and programmers.
Kate has standard editing features as well as more advanced capabilities. Some key highlights of Kate include an integrated terminal panel, code folding, code completion, split editing, project plugin, and syntax highlighting.
Kate integrates with other KDE applications. It supports hundreds of file types including source code, XML, HTML, CSS, and more.
9. Neovim
Neovim is a rewrite of Vim aimed at improving usability, extensibility, and maintainability. It provides the power and productivity of Vim in a more modern package.
Neovim supports editing features like persistent undo, asynchronous plugins, and better GUIs.
For Vim users, Neovim will feel familiar. It is compatible with the Vim control scheme and keybindings.
Users gain the advantages of Neovim without having to learn new commands. Neovim represents the future path of Vim. It brings vintage editing power into the future.
10. Micro
Micro is a modern and intuitive terminal-based text editor. It is open source and designed to be user-friendly. The UI is simple with menus, mouse support, and splits.
The single binary download makes Micro easy to install. It comes with the essentials like syntax highlighting, search and replace, autocomplete, and split windows.
Micro is great for beginners migrating from graphical editors. It has a clean and uncluttered interface. Advanced users can leverage the power of native keyboard shortcuts.
Micro provides a balance of simplicity and functionality. It is a nimble editor well-suited for CLI enthusiasts.
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To Sum Up
Whether you prioritize simplicity and speed or desire a comprehensive IDE-like experience, there’s a text editor waiting for you.
These editors empower users to work efficiently, customize their environment, and harness the full potential of the Linux platform.
Remember that the best text editor is the one that aligns with your workflow and helps you achieve your goals.
Experiment with the ones that resonate with you, and over time, you’ll find the perfect Linux text editor to become your trusted ally.
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