12 Best Free Photoshop Alternatives You Should Try. 12 Best Free Photoshop Alternatives You Should Try. However, it’s a very Mac-oriented interface so you might not like it as much as I do. Pros: Feature packed. Supports layers and blending modes. Supports slice tool. Excellent UI in line with Apple’s guidelines.
Notepad is the best text editor available anywhere right now. I have used it for over a decade and still use it every day. Whether you use it to strip formatting from Office, use it to compile code, compare HTML or any of the myriad other uses, it is a simple and very effective program for Windows users. But what if you use Apple? What are the alternatives to Notepad for Mac? Also see our article Here are just a few. TextWrangler is no longer developed but is so good that people still recommend its use.
It is the free version of BBEdit which I’ll cover in a minute. It is almost equal to Notepad in that is works well with code, highlights syntax, can work out languages, works seamlessly with files, plain text, Unicode and has a spellcheck too. I don’t quite know when development ended but the app is still available on the Mac App Store so I would grab a copy while you can. BBEdit 11 is a premium alternative to Notepad for Mac and costs $50 which is a lot for a simple text editor. However, BBEdit 11 is industry standard on Macs for anything to do with code so you will see it a lot. The program works with Git, HTML, FTP, AppleScript, Mac OS X Unix scripting and a whole host of other neat tricks.
While the cost means you would only ever use this app if you’re a serious coder, what it does, it does very well. TextMate is a heavy hitter in terms of features. It has search and replace, auto indent, auto pairing, a clipboard with history, column tools, multi-language support, CSS and HTML tools, foldable code blocks and a raft of other goodies. At $58 for a full license, it isn’t cheap but again, if you live in text, this app has everything you could possibly need whether coding, building web pages or writing your next novel. Sublime Text 3 is another alternative to Notepad that gets a lot of recommendations from whomever I ask. It is another premium text editor at $70 but again if you live in text it is definitely one to consider. It is actively developed, is very customizable, works with all types of code, can batch edit, use symbols and all the neat things you would expect from a premium program.
The distraction-free mode works well too if you’re prone to procrastination. Atom is often referred to as the free Sublime Text 3 and to a degree that’s true. It is capable of many things that Sublime Text 3 is capable of including customization, code friendliness, wrapping, editing, cross platform editing, auto complete, multiple panes and has a built-in package manager for addons. Atom is still relatively new but seems to be going down very well with Mac users so far. Komodo Edit was recommended as an alternative to Notepad that is great for writing code. It is a lighter version of Komodo’s integrated development environment (IDE), which only hardcore coders would ever need. This light version supports multiple languages, autocomplete, markdowns, addons, customizations and more.
It also plays nicely with most code types and with a range of packages to use. MacVim was described to me as the text editor Unix and code purists use. While I don’t know about that, MacVim is certainly a powerful text editor.
It does many things the others in this list do but with fewer menus and distractions. That isn’t to say it doesn’t have features because it has plenty, but the UI is kept purposely simple. There is the usual customization options if you don’t like the barebones look. It is free and while there is a bit of a learning curve, the investment is apparently well worth it.
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JEdit is our final alternative to Notepad for Mac. It calls itself a ‘mature programmer’s text editor’ whatever that means. Despite that, the Java app works across OS, supports macros, languages, plugins, folding, code, word wrap, clipboard history, markers and lots more besides. It is free and includes access to a range of plugins and downloads that are created and maintained by a team of volunteer developers. If you are looking for an alternative to Notepad for Mac, there are quite a few. While some cost money and are only really worth the investment if you live in text, others are free and well worth a try.
Each looks and feels slightly different so there is bound to be one here you like. Got any other suggestions for an alternative to Notepad for Mac? Tell us about it below if you do!