In the last decade, the use of HTML has risen from a measly 35% in 2012 to almost 95% in 2023. And with its rise came the rise of HTML editors as well. But when should you use an HTML editor? And how do you know which editor might fit your needs best? While there may be a number of online HTML editors available, choosing the right HTML editor in the market can be the difference between a quick and efficient development project and one that runs forever and seems impossible to complete.
In this article, we’ll discuss what an HTML editor is, when you might need to use one, the factors affecting the choice of an editor, and our top picks for HTML editors.
Contents
What Is an HTML Editor?
As the name suggests, an HTML editor is a software tool for creating and editing HTML code specifically for creating websites. HTML editors can be either WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) or code-based, depending on whether they allow visual editing or require manual coding. With an HTML editor, you can create web pages from scratch or modify existing ones and then save them as HTML files to be viewed in a web browser.
WYSIWYG Editors vs. HTML Text Editors
Understanding the key differences between a WYSIWYG editor and an HTML editor is essential to making the right choice. The table below is here to help.
| WYSIWYG Editors | HTML Text Editors | |
|---|---|---|
| Creating and editing | Offer a visual way to create a web page to see what it will look like as you create it. | Require you to manually write the code for your web page and preview it later in a web browser. |
| Ease of use | They are generally easier to use for beginners as they require no knowledge of HTML code. | They can be intimidating to those who have no experience with HTML. |
| Control over code | They can produce messy code that’s difficult to edit or maintain. | Offer complete control over the code while creating your web page |
| Features and capabilities | Often include a separate toolbar and editing space with built-in features such as drag-and-drop interfaces, templates, and visual formatting tools. | Typically they come with more advanced features, such as syntax highlighting and code completion, that can be helpful when working with complex code. |
When to Use an HTML Editor?
HTML editors are useful when creating or editing web pages. They allow developers to design custom layouts, add text, images, and multimedia elements, and create interactive features. An easy HTML editor can also be used to make changes to the HTML code, add or remove content, and update the design.
HTML editors can help optimize web pages for search engines by adding meta tags, title tags, and other elements that help search engines understand the content of the page. Some developers prefer to write HTML code manually rather than using a WYSIWYG editor, as it gives them greater control over the structure and layout of the page.
Reasons for Using HTML Editors
HTML editors are a popular choice for content managers who need to create and manage web-based content easily. You should opt for an HTML editor if you are looking to:
- Optimize content for search engines.
- Deliver projects faster and more efficiently.
- Optimize code using the editor’s code completion and error detection capabilities.
- Achieve ease of use by customizing the editor’s toolbars and workspace.
- Collaborate with other developers for real-time editing and feedback.
- Integrate with other software to import and export content from other applications.
- Optimize content for mobile devices to ensure that your web content looks great on any device.
So, you see how the best HTML editor features can make the web page creation process faster, more efficient, and less error-prone, allowing you to create high-quality, professional-looking web pages with ease.
Things to Keep in Mind: HTML Editor Characteristics
Familiarizing yourself with HTML Editor characteristics and features is essential to making an informed decision about the right fit. We’ve listed some factors below that you might need to consider before concluding.
- Integration: Your chosen editor needs adequate integration capabilities to connect seamlessly to your website or app. This will ensure you can make edits effectively.
- Ease of use: This may mean different things to different people. For instance, you may only have a beginner-level knowledge of HTML, so an easier-to-use HTML editor might be one with WYSIWYG capabilities. However, ease of use may also translate to a more familiar interface.
- Features and customizability: Since you are using an editor instead of a word processor, it makes sense for the editor to have advanced features like text formatting, media integration, and code optimization. Another important consideration is whether the toolbar and workspace are customizable for a personalized experience.
- Pricing: While many excellent free options are available in the market, it might be worthwhile to invest in a premium package, especially if you’re looking to use more advanced functionalities.
Top Picks HTML Editors in 2023
Creating and editing webpages is a breeze using the best HTML editor. However, you should compare your options before making a selection.
Top Free and Premium HTML Editors in 2023
This section has compiled a list of free and premium HTML editors in 2023. While some are completely free, others offer plans with a range of pricing options so you can select what suits your needs and budget the best.
- Froala
Probably the most visually appealing rich text editor in the market, it features inline editing, image, and video uploading, customizable toolbars, and built-in spell-checking. It also offers a responsive design, cross-browser compatibility, and integration with popular frameworks like React and Angular. Additionally, this WYSIWYG HTML editor offers a rich-text editing experience that allows users to create complex documents and web pages without knowing HTML or CSS. Plans range from $239/year to $3999/year, depending on the number and type of functionalities you require. There’s also a 30-day free trial, so you can take this lightweight tool for a spin before you make a commitment. - CoffeeCup
A user-friendly software solution that is ideal for both HTML and CSS editing. It features a split-screen preview, customizable templates, responsive design tools, and a code validation tool. It’s ideal for content management as it allows your content to be understood by search engines with minimal effort. Additionally, it includes a built-in FTP client that allows users to publish their websites directly from the editor. Like its counterparts, it also offers a free trial, while the upgraded plan costs $29. - TinyMCE
The most customizable editor out there, it provides the best cloud-based solutions and integration with content management systems, perfect for remote working and collaboration. The in-built formatting options and security solutions it provides make the development experience seamless and robust. The core editor is “free forever”, meaning you can access all the basic features without having to spend a cent. Additionally, it offers an Essential and a Professional plan at $37.5 and $90 per month, respectively. It also has custom plans available that are priced accordingly. - CKEditor
Known for its modern design and powerful UI and UX capabilities, its versatility of use cases is what sets it apart. It boasts a complete package with an in-built rich text editor, file manager, and collaborative features. Another salient (premium) feature is its import and export functionality, allowing you to move between the editor and Word format easily. Its core features are completely free and open-source, while each added premium feature ranges from $29 to $39 per month. It also has customizable plans available to suit your requirements. - QuillJS
Featuring expressive API as its driving force, it is exceptionally easy to start with. Its modular architecture allows it to be completely customizable, while its granularity makes it perfect for developers of advanced expertise. Moreover, its cross-platform compatibility makes it easy to move your program across applications. Great for the smallest and the largest of projects alike, it is a completely free, open-source software solution.
Remember that the best HTML editor for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences, so consider trying out a few different options before deciding which one to use.
Online vs. Offline HTML Editors and Features
Online HTML editors are web-based, which means they don’t require any software installation and can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. You might want to opt for an online HTML editor if you’re working remotely or looking for accessibility and convenience. Some great options for online HTML editors include Froala, CodePen, JSFiddle, and HTML-CSS-JS.
Offline HTML editors, on the other hand, need to be installed on your computer and are not dependent on an internet connection. These might be the right way to go for you if you prefer speed, power, robustness, and more control over your coding environment. Some popular offline HTML editors include Froala, Adobe Dreamweaver, Sublime Text, and Notepad++.
Conclusion
HTML editors are software tools used for creating and editing HTML code for websites. Whether code-based or WYSIWYG, an easy HTML editor offers many advantages for content managers and developers looking to maintain web content. Factors affecting the choice of HTML editor include integration, ease of use, and features and capabilities. Knowing what to look for and comparing the options are good starting points in deciding which editor on the market is the right fit.
FAQs
What Is the Easiest Way to Edit HTML File?
An online easy HTML editor is definitely the easiest way to edit HTML files.
How to Edit HTML Without Coding?
A WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editor makes it easy to edit HTML files with minimal to no coding knowledge required.
Which Software Is Best for HTML?
Depending on your individual HTML requirements, multiple free and premium options are available to choose from.
