Pick Your Editor

The age-old debate. We compared them with honest opinions, not marketing copy. Our recommendation: start with VS Code. Change your mind later.

TL;DR: Use VS Code if you want to start coding immediately. Learn Neovim after 6 months if you want to go faster. Use Emacs if you enjoy configuring things more than doing things. Use Nano if you hate computers and coding. The rest are fine and nobody will judge you. (We might judge you a little for Notepad++)

⎋

VS Code

The editor everyone ends up using eventually.

Easy learning curveWebsite ↗

✓ Pros

+Massive extension ecosystem — there's an extension for everything
+Excellent IntelliSense and debugging support
+Built-in Git integration
+Cross-platform (Windows, macOS, Linux)
+Copilot integration if you're into that
+Active development — new features constantly

✗ Cons

–Can feel heavy — 100MB+ RAM just chilling
–Extension conflicts are a real thing
–Electron-based (JS running a text editor… fine, we said it)
–Getting it configured perfectly takes time

VerdictThe right choice for most people. Start here. Add extensions. Never leave.

Best forEveryone — especially beginners and web developers

◈

Neovim

If you want to feel like a hacker. And type :q! a lot.

Hard learning curveWebsite ↗

✓ Pros

+Insanely fast — opens large files instantly
+Entirely keyboard-driven — never touch your mouse
+Infinitely configurable with Lua
+Works over SSH — edit files on remote servers
+Makes you look cool in terminal recordings
+LSP support is excellent when configured

✗ Cons

–The learning curve is measured in weeks, not hours
–You will accidentally close it without saving at least 12 times
–Config is a part-time job
–Bragging about using Vim is technically a personality trait
–Built-in help says "type :help" — which requires knowing Vim

VerdictWorth learning. Will make you faster. Will also consume a weekend.

Best forBackend developers, sysadmins, power users

∞

Emacs

Not just an editor. A lifestyle. A religion. A burden.

Masochistic learning curveWebsite ↗

✓ Pros

+Infinitely extensible with Elisp
+Org mode for notes is genuinely life-changing
+Magit (Git UI) is arguably the best Git interface ever made
+Can do email, IRC, games — if you're into that
+Has outlasted every technology trend since 1976

✗ Cons

–Learning curve is vertical
–Default keybindings were designed for a keyboard that no longer exists
–Emacs Pinky is a real RSI condition
–Configuring it could be your second career
–"I use Emacs" is the highest level of editor gatekeeping

VerdictFor those who want total control and have time to pursue it. Respect, not recommendation.

Best forLisp programmers, academics, the enlightened

◉

Sublime TextPAID

The editor that was fast when fast mattered. Still fast.

Easy learning curveWebsite ↗

✓ Pros

+Blazingly fast — opens in milliseconds
+Multi-cursor editing is a genuine superpower
+Lightweight on RAM
+Command Palette was revolutionary (VS Code copied it)
+Distraction-free writing mode

✗ Cons

–Paid license ($99, though the trial never expires — wink)
–Extension ecosystem smaller than VS Code
–Less active development in recent years
–Plugin API is less capable than competitors

VerdictStill great in 2024. Especially for speed. Just know VS Code does most of this too.

Best forSpeed-obsessed developers, text-heavy work

□

Nano

It opens, you type, you save, you leave. That's it. That's nano.

Easy learning curveWebsite ↗

✓ Pros

+Available on every Linux/macOS system
+Keybindings shown at the bottom — no memorization
+You can exit it without googling how
+Perfect for quick config file edits on a server

✗ Cons

–Not really for writing code
–No syntax highlighting by default (it can, but come on)
–No code completion, debugging, or much of anything
–"Nano main.py" said by someone doing serious work is a warning sign

VerdictThe right tool for editing /etc/hosts at 2am. Not for day-to-day development.

Best forQuick terminal edits, servers, beginners in a pinch

✎

Notepad++

Windows only. Classic. Reliable. A bit like your dad.

Easy learning curveWebsite ↗

✓ Pros

+Fast and lightweight on Windows
+Good syntax highlighting for many languages
+Find-in-files is solid
+Column editing mode is surprisingly useful
+The double-click-to-select word behavior is *chef's kiss*

✗ Cons

–Windows only — not cross-platform
–No built-in terminal
–Limited plugin ecosystem compared to VS Code
–UI looks like it was designed for Windows XP (it was)
–No language server support

VerdictIf you're on Windows and need something lightweight, it's respectable. VS Code for anything serious.

Best forWindows power users, quick file editing, non-developers

Still not sure?

Use VS Code. Seriously. Install it, install a theme, start coding. The editor debate is genuinely less important than writing code.

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