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10 Best Code Editors of 2026
This list is for developers picking the editor or IDE they will open every working day. It covers general-purpose editors (Visual Studio Code, Zed, Sublime Text, Neovim, Nova), an AI-first editor (Cursor), full IDEs for specific stacks (IntelliJ IDEA, Visual Studio) and the official platform IDEs for Apple and Android apps (Xcode, Android Studio). We compared documented features and published prices for 10 tools. Scores weigh features at 40%, ease of use at 30% and value at 30%.
By the Mojolin research desk · Updated November 12, 2026 · 10 tools compared · Prices checked on vendor pages, latest November 12, 2026
Questions or corrections: editorial@mojolin.com
Mojolin is self-funded How we score
Visual Studio Code is our top pick: Microsoft states it is free for private or commercial use, it supports JavaScript, TypeScript, HTML and CSS out of the box, and thousands of extensions add other languages, while its agent features let you pick models from Anthropic, OpenAI, Google and others. Cursor is the strongest choice if you want AI agents at the center of your editor, though its plans now bundle Grok and X features you may not need. IntelliJ IDEA has the deepest Java and Kotlin tooling, Zed is the fastest-growing free alternative with a $10 Pro plan, and Visual Studio remains the reference IDE for .NET and C++ on Windows. Pick Xcode or Android Studio when you build for those platforms, Sublime Text or Nova for a one-time license, and Neovim if you live in the terminal.
Top picks
Best overall
Visual Studio Code
9.3 / 10
most developers who want one free editor for every language
Read the review →Comparison table
| # | Tool | Pricing | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visual Studio Code | most developers who want one free editor for every language | Free for private or commercial use; GitHub Copilot has a separate free plan and paid plans | 9.3 |
| 2 |  Cursor | developers who want agents to write most of the code | Free plan with limited agent requests; Plus $8 per month (Grok models only); Premium $30, Super $100, Ultra $200 per month; Teams from $30 per user per month | 8.7 |
| 3 |  IntelliJ IDEA | Java and Kotlin developers on large codebases | Free version with 30 days of Ultimate included; see vendor pricing for Ultimate (USD check pending) | 8.6 |
| 4 |  Zed | developers who want a fast free editor with optional AI | Personal free forever; Pro $10 per month with $5 of tokens; Business $30 per seat per month | 8.5 |
| 5 |  Visual Studio | .NET and C++ developers on Windows | Visual Studio Community is free for individuals; Professional monthly $45 per user per month; Enterprise monthly $250 per user per month | 8.4 |
| 6 |  Xcode | developers building apps for Apple platforms | Free on the Mac App Store; App Store distribution requires the Apple Developer Program | 8.3 |
| 7 |  Android Studio | developers building Android apps | Free download from Google under a royalty-free license | 8.2 |
| 8 |  Sublime Text | developers who want a fast editor with a one-time license | Personal license $99 one-time; business licenses from $65 per seat per year | 8.1 |
| 9 |  Neovim | keyboard-driven developers who work in the terminal | Free and open source under the Apache 2.0 license | 7.9 |
| 10 |  Nova | Mac web developers who want a native editor | $99 plus tax one-time with a year of updates; optional updates $49 per year after that; 30-day free trial | 7.8 |
Scoring weights
Every tool gets three editorial scores out of 10, from vendor documentation, product pages and the published price. The overall score is the weighted average below, the same method on every list. Full method
The full ranking
Rank 1 · Best overall
Visual Studio Code
Free, open source based code editor from Microsoft with extensions for almost any language and built-in AI agents.
code.visualstudio.com9.3
out of 10
Best for: most developers who want one free editor for every language
Visual Studio Code is the default editor for a reason: Microsoft states it is free for private or commercial use, it runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, and vscode.dev opens it in a browser. JavaScript, TypeScript, HTML and CSS work out of the box, and language extensions add IntelliSense, linting and debugging for Python, Java, C++ and many more. The 2026 releases put agents at the center: you can work through a plan with an agent, review its edits inline, or use the Agents window to coordinate several agents across repositories. You choose models from Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, Microsoft or open-weight providers, bring your own key, and pick Copilot, Claude or Codex as the harness. Remote work is strong, with development in containers, over SSH or in WSL. The tradeoffs are that deep language tooling depends on extensions, and heavy AI use requires a Copilot plan beyond the free monthly allowance.
Standout feature
Visual Studio Code is the best choice for most developers because Microsoft makes it free for private or commercial use on Windows, macOS, Linux and the web.
Use cases
Full-stack web developers
Write TypeScript, HTML and CSS with built-in support and debug in the editor
Outcome: One free editor for front end and back end
Platform engineers
Develop inside a container or over SSH on a remote machine
Outcome: Local editing with code and tools running where they deploy
Developers adopting AI agents
Run several agents in parallel from the Agents window and review their changes
Outcome: Backlog tasks handled without leaving the editor
Key features
- JavaScript, TypeScript, HTML and CSS support out of the box, with language extensions for Python, Java, C++ and more
- Thousands of extensions in the Visual Studio Marketplace
- Agents window to run several agents in parallel and review their changes
- Choice of models from Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, Microsoft and open-weight providers, or bring your own key
- Remote development in containers, over SSH or in WSL, plus vscode.dev in the browser
Pros
- Free for private or commercial use
- Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux and in the browser
- Copilot Free plan gives a monthly allowance of inline suggestions and AI credits
Cons
- Many languages need an extension before you get IntelliSense and debugging
- Heavier refactoring and profiling tools are left to full IDEs such as Visual Studio
- AI features beyond the free allowance need a Copilot subscription
Rank 2 · Runner-up
Cursor
AI-first code editor and CLI built around coding agents, with plans that share an AI usage pool across Cursor and Grok.
cursor.com8.7
out of 10
Best for: developers who want agents to write most of the code
Cursor is the most agent-focused editor in this list. Every plan, including Free, includes Cursor Agent, and the desktop app is designed around handing off tasks, reviewing plans and tracking several agent sessions. The pricing page now shares one AI usage pool across Cursor and Grok, refreshed weekly. Plus at $8 a month is the cheapest paid tier but only includes Grok models, so most developers will look at Premium at $30 a month, which Cursor recommends for new AI users and which adds cloud agents and automations, Bugbot AI code reviews, code hosting through Origin and third-party models at API list price. Super ($100) and Ultra ($200) raise usage to 15x and 50x Plus. Teams starts at $30 per user a month with SSO and usage analytics. The downsides are cost for heavy users and plans that bundle X social perks unrelated to coding.
Standout feature
Cursor is the best choice for agent-first development because Cursor Agent is included on every plan, from Free to Enterprise.
Use cases
Solo developers
Hand a feature to Cursor Agent and review the plan and diff
Outcome: More work shipped per day with review kept in the editor
Product engineering teams
Run cloud agents and automations on a Premium or Teams plan
Outcome: Background tasks progress while developers focus on design decisions
Engineering managers
Review pull requests with Bugbot AI code reviews
Outcome: A first review pass before a human looks at the change
Key features
- Cursor Agent on every plan, including Free
- Cloud agents and automations, AI code reviews through Bugbot and code hosting through Origin from Premium
- Third-party models billed at API list price on Premium and above
- Cursor CLI alongside the desktop editor
- Teams plan with SAML or OIDC SSO, usage analytics and team-wide privacy settings
Pros
- Free plan includes Cursor Agent with limited requests
- Usage allowance refreshes weekly
- Enterprise adds SCIM, audit logs and repository, model and MCP access controls
Cons
- Plus at $8 a month only includes Grok models
- Plans bundle X social features such as ad-free scrolling that most developers will not use
- Cloud agents, Bugbot and third-party models start at the $30 Premium plan
Rank 3 · Also great
IntelliJ IDEA
JetBrains IDE for Java and Kotlin with deep code analysis, refactoring, debugging and built-in database and API tools.
jetbrains.com8.6
out of 10
Best for: Java and Kotlin developers on large codebases
IntelliJ IDEA is the specialist pick for JVM work. JetBrains says it is trusted by 72% of Java developers, and its strengths are the ones that matter on large codebases: code intelligence that resolves every usage, dependency and type, refactorings that update every reference, advanced inspections and a strong debugger. Spring support is developed with the Spring Framework team, and Jakarta EE, Micronaut and Quarkus are covered too. Database tools, API testing and a profiler are built in, so you rarely leave the IDE. For AI, you can connect the agents you already use and run them on your own API key, an existing subscription or JetBrains AI, and the new Air features track several agent sessions with diffs you can comment on. The download starts as a free version with 30 days of Ultimate included. The tradeoffs are memory use and a focus on Java and Kotlin.
Standout feature
IntelliJ IDEA is the best choice for Java and Kotlin developers because JetBrains builds its Spring support with the Spring Framework team.
Use cases
Backend Java teams
Rename a method used across hundreds of files with safe refactoring
Outcome: Every reference updated without a broken build
Spring Boot developers
Jump between beans, configuration and endpoints with Spring integration
Outcome: Less time tracing wiring by hand
Teams using AI agents
Let agents use IDE code intelligence, then verify with the debugger and test runner
Outcome: Agent changes checked before merge
Key features
- Java and Kotlin support with Spring integration developed with the Spring Framework team
- Support for Jakarta EE, Micronaut and Quarkus
- Accurate refactorings, advanced inspections, intelligent navigation and debugging
- Built-in tools for databases, API testing and profiling
- Run agents on your own API key, an existing subscription or JetBrains AI
Pros
- Free download includes 30 days of Ultimate
- JetBrains says it is trusted by 72% of Java developers
- SOC 2 Type II attested and GDPR compliant for business buyers
Cons
- Built mainly for Java and Kotlin; other stacks have separate JetBrains IDEs
- Indexing and analysis need more memory than a lightweight editor
- USD pricing for Ultimate could not be confirmed from our location
Rank 4
Zed
Open source, high-performance code editor with multiplayer collaboration, edit predictions and support for external agents.
zed.dev8.5
out of 10
Best for: developers who want a fast free editor with optional AI
Zed is the strongest new general-purpose editor in this list. It is open source, and every plan includes its fast performance, multiplayer collaboration and weekly releases. The Personal plan is free forever and lets you use your own API keys or external agents such as Claude Agent and Codex CLI without limits, which makes it a good fit for developers who already pay a model provider. Pro costs $10 a month and adds Zed-hosted models, unlimited edit predictions and $5 of tokens, with usage beyond that billed at API list price plus 10% and an optional spending cap. Business is $30 per seat a month and adds org-wide AI model policies, data governance controls and unified billing, with no seat minimum. A 14-day Pro trial needs no credit card. The gaps are enterprise identity, since SSO, SAML and SCIM are still planned, and an extension catalog that is smaller than VS Code's.
Standout feature
Zed is the best choice for a fast free editor because its Personal plan is free forever with unlimited use of your own API keys or external agents.
Use cases
Developers with their own API keys
Run Claude Agent or Codex CLI inside the free Personal plan
Outcome: AI help without a second editor subscription
Pair programmers
Edit the same project together with multiplayer collaboration
Outcome: Live pairing without a separate screen-share tool
Small engineering teams
Set org-wide model and data sharing policies on Business
Outcome: AI use governed centrally with one bill
Key features
- Personal plan free forever with unlimited use of your own API keys or external agents such as Claude Agent and Codex CLI
- Pro plan with unlimited edit predictions and $5 of hosted tokens
- Multiplayer collaboration on every plan
- Business admin dashboard to restrict hosted models, turn off edit predictions and lock data sharing
- Weekly releases
Pros
- Free forever for people who bring their own keys
- 14-day Pro trial with no credit card
- Business has no minimum seat count
Cons
- Hosted usage beyond $5 is billed at API list price plus 10%
- SSO, SAML and SCIM are planned but not available yet
- Business has no free trial
Rank 5
Visual Studio
Microsoft's full IDE for .NET and C++ on Windows, with a free Community edition and paid Professional and Enterprise subscriptions.
visualstudio.microsoft.com8.4
out of 10
Best for: .NET and C++ developers on Windows
Visual Studio is the IDE to pick when your work is .NET or C++ on Windows. Microsoft describes the free Community edition as its comprehensive IDE for those developers and recommends it for individuals, so most solo developers and students never pay. Companies that need a commercial subscription can choose monthly plans, Professional at $45 per user and Enterprise at $250 per user, or standard annual subscriptions that include extras such as Azure DevOps, monthly Azure credit ($50 for Professional, $150 for Enterprise), dev/test software and training resources. Subscriptions also give access to past Visual Studio versions, which matters for maintaining older projects. Compared with VS Code it is a much heavier install and is aimed at Windows, but it bundles debugging, profiling and project tooling that VS Code leaves to extensions.
Standout feature
Visual Studio is the best choice for .NET and C++ on Windows because Microsoft offers the Community edition free to individuals.
Use cases
Windows desktop developers
Build and debug .NET applications in Visual Studio Community
Outcome: A full IDE at no cost for individual work
C++ game and systems developers
Debug native code with the full Visual Studio toolset
Outcome: Native debugging without stitching together extensions
Enterprise .NET teams
Use Enterprise subscriptions with Azure DevOps and Azure credit
Outcome: IDE, dev/test cloud credit and DevOps under one subscription
Key features
- Visual Studio Community, a free IDE recommended for individuals
- Focus on .NET and C++ development on Windows
- Professional subscriptions include Azure DevOps Basic and $50 Azure credit per month on the standard plan
- Enterprise subscriptions add Azure DevOps Test plan, $150 Azure credit per month and Power BI Pro on the standard plan
- Subscriptions include access to latest and past Visual Studio versions and training resources
Pros
- Free Community edition for individuals
- Monthly Professional plan at $45 per user avoids an annual commitment
- Subscriptions bundle Azure credit and dev/test software
Cons
- Microsoft positions Visual Studio Community for developers on Windows
- Annual standard subscriptions are expensive, from $99.99 per user a month for Professional in the first year
- Heavier install than a code editor
Rank 6
Xcode
Apple's free IDE for building, testing and distributing apps for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV and Vision Pro.
developer.apple.com8.3
out of 10
Best for: developers building apps for Apple platforms
Xcode is required for most native Apple development, and it is free on the Mac App Store. Xcode 27 adds coding agents powered by the model of your choice, including frontier models and agents from Anthropic, Google and OpenAI, and any agent that supports the Agent Client Protocol; you can extend it with your own tools through the Model Context Protocol. Xcode Previews show SwiftUI, UIKit and AppKit views as you type, with live and interactive modes, and selecting a control in the preview highlights its code. Device Hub manages physical devices and simulators in one place, and Instruments profiles performance and resource use. A free Apple Account is enough to run apps on your own device, but App Store submission needs the Apple Developer Program. It only runs on a Mac and is a large download, so it is not a general-purpose editor for other stacks.
Standout feature
Xcode is the best choice for Apple platform developers because it is free and supports iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS and visionOS in one IDE.
Use cases
iOS developers
Build SwiftUI screens with live Xcode Previews
Outcome: UI changes visible without rebuilding the full app
Mac app teams
Profile memory and CPU use with Instruments
Outcome: Performance problems found before release
Indie app makers
Test on simulators and their own iPhone through Device Hub
Outcome: Apps tested across devices with only a free Apple Account
Key features
- Coding agents and models from Anthropic, Google and OpenAI, plus any Agent Client Protocol agent
- Xcode Previews for SwiftUI, UIKit and AppKit views
- Device Hub for testing on physical devices and simulators
- Instruments for profiling performance and system resource usage
- Icon Composer, Create ML and Accessibility Inspector
Pros
- Free, and a free Apple Account is enough to run apps on your own device
- Model Context Protocol support to add your own skills and tools
- Covers the whole path from coding to testing to distribution
Cons
- Runs only on a Mac
- Submitting to the App Store requires Apple Developer Program membership
- Large download, listed at 3.1 GB on the Mac App Store
Rank 7
Android Studio
Google's official IDE for Android apps, based on IntelliJ IDEA, with Gemini, an emulator and Android-specific build tools.
developer.android.com8.2
out of 10
Best for: developers building Android apps
Android Studio is the official IDE for Android, and Google offers it as a free download under a royalty-free license. It is based on the IntelliJ IDEA code editor, then adds Android-specific tooling: a Gradle-based build system with a Build Analyzer, an emulator that covers phones, tablets, foldables, Wear OS, TV and ChromeOS, and Android Device Streaming to run your app on real devices from the IDE. Live Edit updates Jetpack Compose composables on emulators and devices in real time, and the APK Analyzer lets you inspect the manifest, resources and DEX files to reduce app size before publishing. Gemini in Android Studio helps generate and fix code, and Google now lets you use the agent of your choice. Lint tools, testing frameworks and C++ and NDK support round it out. It is the right tool for Android work and the wrong one for anything else, and it needs a capable machine for the emulator and builds.
Standout feature
Android Studio is the best choice for Android developers because it is Google's free official IDE, built on IntelliJ IDEA with an emulator for every form factor.
Use cases
Android app developers
Preview Compose UI changes with Live Edit on an emulator
Outcome: Faster UI iteration without full rebuilds
QA engineers
Test on real devices through Android Device Streaming
Outcome: Bugs found on hardware the team does not own
Release managers
Inspect an Android App Bundle with the APK Analyzer
Outcome: Smaller downloads before publishing
Key features
- Gemini in Android Studio, plus the option to use the agent of your choice
- Android Emulator for phones, tablets, foldables, Wear OS, TV and ChromeOS
- Android Device Streaming to run apps on real devices from the IDE
- Gradle-based build system with Build Analyzer
- Live Edit to update composables on emulators and physical devices in real time
Pros
- Free and the official Android IDE
- Built on the IntelliJ IDEA code editor and tools
- APK Analyzer helps cut app size before publishing
Cons
- Focused on Android; other stacks need a separate editor
- The emulator and Gradle builds need a capable machine
- Some AI features depend on Gemini or a third-party agent account
Rank 8
Sublime Text
Fast native text and code editor with GPU rendering, multiple selections and a one-time personal license.
sublimetext.com8.1
out of 10
Best for: developers who want a fast editor with a one-time license
Sublime Text is the editor for people who value speed and focus over built-in tooling. Sublime Text 4 can render the interface on the GPU on Linux, Mac and Windows, keeping the UI fluid up to 8K, and it ships native Apple Silicon and Linux ARM64 builds. Its editing model is the draw: multiple selections let you select the next occurrence of a word and edit all of them at once, Tab Multi-Select splits the view across files, and Goto Definition and Goto Symbol can open side by side. The auto complete engine suggests completions from your project code with links to definitions, and TypeScript, JSX and TSX are supported by default. A personal license is $99 once, and business licenses are annual from $65 per seat. The tradeoff is that AI help, language servers and debugging come from packages rather than the core editor.
Standout feature
Sublime Text is the best choice for a fast editor without a subscription because a personal license costs $99 once.
Use cases
Developers on older laptops
Edit large files with GPU rendering
Outcome: A responsive editor without a heavy IDE
Data and config wranglers
Rename or reformat many lines at once with multiple selections
Outcome: Bulk edits done in seconds without scripts
Freelancers
Buy a one-time personal license
Outcome: No monthly editor bill
Key features
- GPU rendering on Linux, Mac and Windows up to 8K resolutions
- Multiple selections to edit every occurrence of a word at once
- Tab Multi-Select to split the view across several files
- Context-aware auto complete with links to definitions
- Native Apple Silicon and Linux ARM64 builds
Pros
- One-time $99 personal license instead of a subscription
- Runs on Windows, Mac and Linux, including ARM64
- TypeScript, JSX and TSX support ships by default
Cons
- No built-in AI agent or completion service
- Business licenses are an annual subscription from $65 per seat
- Language server and debugging support depend on packages
Rank 9
Neovim
Free, open source, Vim-based terminal editor with built-in LSP, Tree-sitter and Lua configuration.
neovim.io7.9
out of 10
Best for: keyboard-driven developers who work in the terminal
Neovim is a free, open source fork of Vim focused on extensibility and usability. It keeps Vim's editing model and Vimscript compatibility, so existing Vim users can move over, while adding Lua as a first-class configuration and plugin language. Out of the box it includes an LSP client for semantic code inspection and refactoring, Tree-sitter parsing for accurate highlighting and text objects, multicursor support, a built-in terminal and session multiplexing with :connect and :detach. Its API is versioned and documented, and other apps can embed it, which is how vscode-neovim brings Neovim editing into VS Code and Firenvim brings it into the browser. The cost is time: modal editing has a learning curve, and turning Neovim into a full IDE means choosing and configuring plugins yourself. The current stable release is 0.12.
Standout feature
Neovim is the best choice for terminal-first developers because it is free under Apache 2.0 and includes LSP and Tree-sitter without plugins.
Use cases
Backend and DevOps engineers
Edit code directly on servers over SSH
Outcome: The same editor setup locally and remotely
Vim users
Move an existing Vim setup to Lua configuration
Outcome: Faster plugins with the same keystrokes
VS Code users who like modal editing
Run Neovim inside VS Code through vscode-neovim
Outcome: Vim editing with VS Code's extensions
Key features
- Built-in LSP for semantic code inspection and refactoring
- Tree-sitter parsing for accurate syntax highlighting and text objects
- Lua plugins and configuration in init.lua, with Vimscript still supported
- Built-in terminal and multiplexing with :connect:detach and :restart
- Embeddable in GUIs, IDEs and browsers through nvim --embed, including vscode-neovim and Firenvim
Pros
- Free and open source
- Fully compatible with Vim's editing model and Vim 8.x plugins
- Works the same in any terminal, locally or over SSH
Cons
- Steep learning curve for people new to modal editing
- IDE features need plugins and configuration
- No official AI assistant; AI comes from community plugins
Rank 10
Nova
Panic's Mac-native code editor and IDE with built-in Git, terminal, debugging, file transfers and live previews.
nova.app7.8
out of 10
Best for: Mac web developers who want a native editor
Nova is Panic's code editor for people who want a fully native Mac app. Panic builds it with native Mac frameworks for speed, low memory use and battery life, and it combines the editor, terminal, Git, debugging and build tasks in one workspace. Web developers get two features most editors lack: built-in file transfers to browse, edit and publish files on remote servers, and live previews that update as you type. Nova 14 adds language server management, so Nova can install servers for you, and Rust, Swift and C/C++ support without extensions, plus per-language editor settings. Extensions are written in JavaScript, and the catalog includes language servers, formatters and a Claude Code bridge. Nova costs $99 plus tax once with a year of updates, then $49 a year if you want updates to continue. It is Mac only and requires macOS 15.6 or later.
Standout feature
Nova is the best choice for Mac web developers because it combines Git, a terminal, file transfers and live previews in one native app for $99 once.
Use cases
Freelance web developers
Edit and publish site files to a remote server with built-in file transfers
Outcome: No separate FTP or SFTP client
Front-end developers on a Mac
Preview pages live inside the editor while coding
Outcome: Faster layout tweaks without switching to a browser
Swift and Rust hobbyists
Write native code with built-in language support
Outcome: A light native editor instead of a full IDE
Key features
- Built with native Mac frameworks for speed, low memory use and battery life
- Built-in Git, terminal, debugging sidebar and tasks in one workspace
- File transfers to browse, edit and publish files on remote servers
- Live previews of web pages inside the editor
- Language server management, with Rust, Swift and C/C++ support built in
Pros
- One-time purchase you keep forever
- Full-featured 30-day trial
- Extensions are written in JavaScript
Cons
- Mac only, requires macOS 15.6 or later
- Updates after the first year cost $49 a year
- No built-in AI assistant; AI comes from extensions
Frequently asked questions
+What is the best code editor in 2026?
Visual Studio Code is the best code editor for most developers in 2026. Microsoft makes it free for private or commercial use on Windows, macOS, Linux and the web, and its extensions cover almost any language. Cursor is the best alternative if you want AI agents at the center of your workflow.
+What is the best free code editor?
Visual Studio Code is the best free code editor. Neovim is free and open source under Apache 2.0, Zed's Personal plan is free forever with your own API keys, and Xcode and Android Studio are free for Apple and Android development.
+Is Cursor better than VS Code?
Cursor is better if you want agents to write much of your code, and VS Code is better as a free all-round editor. Cursor includes Cursor Agent on every plan, with paid plans from $8 a month for Grok models and $30 for Premium, while VS Code is free and lets you choose Copilot, Claude or Codex as the agent harness.
+What is the difference between a code editor and an IDE?
An IDE bundles building, debugging, profiling and project tools for a specific stack, while a code editor is lighter and gains those features through extensions. IntelliJ IDEA, Visual Studio, Xcode and Android Studio are IDEs; VS Code, Zed, Sublime Text and Neovim are editors that can be extended toward IDE features.
+Which code editor is best for Java?
IntelliJ IDEA is the best editor for Java. JetBrains says it is trusted by 72% of Java developers, and its Spring support is developed with the Spring Framework team. A free version includes 30 days of Ultimate.
+Which code editors can I buy with a one-time license?
Sublime Text and Nova both sell one-time licenses. Sublime Text is $99 for a personal license, and Nova is $99 plus tax with a year of updates, then optional updates at $49 a year.
+What is the best code editor for Mac?
Visual Studio Code is the best general editor on a Mac, and Xcode is required for native Apple apps. Nova is the best fully Mac-native editor at $99 once, and Sublime Text includes native Apple Silicon support.
About this list
Updated November 12, 2026 by the Mojolin research desk. Mojolin is self-funded
Questions or corrections: editorial@mojolin.com
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