As one of the core languages of the World Wide Web, the internet simply wouldn’t be the same without JavaScript. JavaScript is a high-level programming language used in both front-end and back-end web development. You can use JavaScript to create dynamic web content and applications. If you’re a web developer or work in another capacity related to web development, you’ll gain a competitive edge by learning JavaScript.
In this article, we’ll share our take on the 10 best JavaScript IDEs and code editors for 2023. While 2021 saw the discontinuation of Adobe’s open-source code editor, Brackets, there’s still a world of applications available to help JavaScript developers streamline their workflow.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
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Integrated development environments (IDEs) and code editors (CEs) are software applications used to write and edit code. We could technically write code in a plain text editor, but IDEs and CEs offer additional functionalities designed to streamline the coding process.
IDEs generally come with more functionalities than code editors, but some code editors can be customized to have similar functionalities to that of an IDE. Code editors often come with features such as syntax highlighting, autocompletion, and brace matching. IDEs combine multiple developer tools in a single graphical user interface. At minimum, these tools usually consist of a code editor, a compiler or interpreter, and a debugger.
Every programmer has an individual preference when it comes to IDEs and code editors. You may try a few applications before finding a good fit.
Here are some criteria to consider when assessing your options:
WebStorm is an integrated development environment specializing in JavaScript and TypeScript. Many web developers use WebStorm for back-end and front-end development. WebStorm is a product of JetBrains. It supports JavaScript frameworks such as Node.js, Angular.js, and React. Its features include GitHub integration, smart autocompletion, and code refactoring across all project files.
Pros:
Cons:
Use case: You’re a multilingual web developer looking for an IDE to support complex projects.
Price: $12.90 per month for individual users. A free version is available to students and non-commercial open-source projects.
IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate is a Java-centric IDE that is also popular for JavaScript development. At the time of its first release in 2001, IntelliJ was one of the first Java IDEs to integrate functionalities such as code navigation and code refactoring. Luckily, IntelliJ has more capabilities today, including coding assistance and support for JavaScript frameworks such as Node.js.
IntelliJ is a JetBrains product. If you choose IntelliJ, give yourself time to adapt, as some users report a steep learning curve. IntelliJ has a free and open-source counterpart, IntelliJ IDEA Community, but it unfortunately doesn’t support JavaScript.
Pros:
Cons:
Use case: You’re a professional who needs a wide set of functionalities for your projects.
Price: $49.90 per month for individual users.
Developed by ActiveState, Komodo Edit and Komodo IDE are applications used for dynamic programming languages. Komodo Edit is a free open-source code editor. Its commercial counterpart, Komodo IDE, is an IDE with expanded functionalities. Komodo IDE is now free as part of the ActiveState platform.
Beginners may find it easier to start with Komodo Edit, as some users report a steep learning curve for Komodo IDE. Komodo Edit offers an inbuilt FTP client, autocompletion, code folding, and smart syntax highlighting. More advanced functionalities, such as debugging and unit testing, are reserved for Komodo IDE. Both can be customized with plugins and macros.
Pros:
Cons:
Use case: You want a minimalist coding environment. You’re actively prototyping and showcasing websites.
Price: Komodo Edit is free. Komodo IDE is free as part of the open-source ActiveState Platform.
AWS Cloud9 is an IDE hosted on the cloud. Anyone with a stable internet connection and AWS account can access the power of this online IDE. This is especially beneficial for those who can’t afford to locally install a heavy IDE on their device.
AWS Cloud9’s functionalities include real-time language analysis and syntax highlighting. AWS Cloud9 also lets you share and edit code with collaborators in real-time. The IDE can be further customized with plugins.
Pros:
Cons:
Use case: You need an IDE’s functionalities but can’t afford to install one locally on your machine. You need team collaboration tools. You’re interested in serverless development and want a development environment that is preconfigured to support it.
Price: AWS Cloud 9 is priced with a pay-for-value billing model.
NetBeans is a free IDE that is well-known to Java programmers. While it’s most commonly used for Java, NetBeans supports multiple languages including JavaScript, HTML5, and CSS3. The NetBeans JavaScript editor comes with syntax highlighting and autocompletion, as well as inbuilt jQuery support. NetBeans supports JavaScript frameworks such as Angular, Express, Vue, React, and Mocha.
Many programmers love NetBeans for its intuitive and customizable interface. It comes out of the box with many functionalities, so you can hit the ground running upon installation. However, NetBeans is known to be demanding on resources. It may not run smoothly if your device has lower specs.
Pros:
Cons:
Use case: You’re a Java or polyglot developer with a device that can handle a heavyweight application.
Price: Free.
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Eclipse is an open-source IDE that was first released in 2004. Its focus is Java development, but it also supports JavaScript and other programming languages. Eclipse has a base workspace and can be customized with plugins to expand functionality. You’ll want to factor in extra setup time because of this. JavaScript development tools, for instance, will need to be installed.
Pros:
Cons:
Use case: You prefer open-source software and don’t mind taking time to customize it. You enjoy what others may consider an old-school interface.
Price: Free.
Sublime Text is a source code editor for both programming and markup languages. Many developers are drawn to Sublime Text for its speed and versatility. It’s a highly customizable code editor with an extensive selection of user-built plugin packages.
Pros:
Cons:
Use case: You prioritize application speed and regularly work with large files. You are a freelancer or work for a small business and don’t need robust work environment features.
Price: $99 per year for individual users.
Atom is GitHub’s free and open-source code editor. It comes with default features such as smart code completion and an inbuilt package manager. Known as the “hackable” text editor, it’s highly customizable via plugins. Atom is based on the Electron framework and is well-suited for building cross-platform desktop applications using Chromium and Node.js.
Atom is celebrated for its simple UI and customizability. On the other hand, many users have experienced bugs, freezing, and crashing. This is a larger application that will likely slow you down if you have a weaker machine.
Pros:
Cons:
Use case: You favor customizability, an intuitive interface, and a strong online community. Your device is not faint of heart and can handle a large application.
Price: Free.
Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is a free code editor developed by Microsoft. As a code editor, it lacks inbuilt tooling and testing functionality. However, these functionalities can be installed with plugins and extensions. VS Code boasts a large community and strong technical support.
VS Code has an IDE counterpart, Visual Studio. Visual Studio is especially revered as an IDE for C, C++, and C Sharp. However, it is not free, and beginner JavaScript developers will likely find it unnecessarily complex. As long as you don’t mind installing plugins to expand VS Code’s functionalities, we think VS Code offers plenty enough for JavaScript development. To help you get started with VS Code, check out our recommended VS code extensions.
Pros:
Cons:
Use case: You’re a developer in the corporate world. You want a versatile tool that can handle complex projects.
Price: Free.
Notepad++ is a free source code editor for Windows users. It is an extremely lightweight application that is ideal for those with limited device specs. It comes out of the box with features such as code folding and syntax highlighting. It also has support for macros and plugins for additional customization.
Pros:
Cons:
Use case: You are a Windows user who needs a lightweight application for your device. You want to practice basic projects without installing and customizing a complex IDE.
Price: Free.
You’ve found your favorite IDE or code editor. What now? The best way to master your JavaScript skills is to start writing code.
Check out Educative’s JavaScript in Practice: Getting Started course. This comprehensive course covers JavaScript fundamentals every web developer should know. In fact, you don’t need an IDE or code editor to get started. The course includes a cloud-based IDE so you can get hands-on coding practice anywhere.
Happy learning!