13 Best Brackets Alternatives & Competitors (Free & Paid Code Editors)

Brackets is officially discontinued, and if you’ve used it for years, you already know the pain point: no updates, no future, and growing compatibility issues. That’s why developers especially front-end and web folks are actively searching for solid Brackets Alternatives that won’t slow them down.

The good news? You’re not short on options. Some tools focus on speed and simplicity. Others go all-in with extensions, Git tools, debugging, and framework support. Whether you want a lightweight text editor or a full-blown IDE, there are plenty of alternatives to Brackets that feel familiar but are far more powerful.

Why Developers Look for Brackets Alternatives?

Brackets had a clean UI, live preview, and a strong focus on front-end work. But once Adobe pulled the plug, staying on it became risky.

Common reasons people switch:

• No official updates or security fixes
• Poor support for modern frameworks
• Limited extensions compared to newer editors
• Performance issues on large projects

That’s why today’s Brackets Competitors focus on extensibility, speed, and long-term support.

⇒ 70 Brackets Keyboard Shortcuts

Top 13 Brackets Alternatives & Competitors

This guide breaks down 13 practical Brackets Alternatives. Just real editors developers actually use in production. We’ll cover what each tool does best, who it’s for, and where it fits among Top Text Editors and IDEs like Brackets.

1. Visual Studio Code (VS Code)

Visual Studio Code is one of the most widely used Brackets Alternatives today. It’s lightweight at its core but becomes extremely powerful with extensions. VS Code supports almost every programming language you’ll touch, especially HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and modern frameworks.

The built-in Git tools, debugger, and IntelliSense make day-to-day coding smoother. You can customize everything from themes to workflows without breaking performance. Live Server extensions easily replace Brackets’ live preview feature. Updates are frequent, and community support is massive. It works equally well for beginners and experienced developers.

Pros:

• Huge extension marketplace
• Excellent performance for large projects
• Strong Git and debugging tools

Cons:

• Can feel bloated with too many extensions
• Requires setup to match Brackets simplicity

Best For: Front-end and full-stack developers

⇒ 130 Visual Studio Code Keyboard Shortcuts

2. Notepad++

Notepad++ is a fast, no-nonsense text editor and a popular choice among Brackets Competitors for Windows users. It opens instantly and handles code files without lag. Syntax highlighting is available for dozens of languages. It’s ideal for editing HTML, CSS, JS, or config files quickly. Plugin support exists, though it’s more limited than modern IDEs. The interface is basic but practical. If Brackets felt lightweight to you, Notepad++ keeps that same simple vibe.

Pros:

• Extremely fast and lightweight
• Free and open-source
• Great for quick edits

Cons:

• Windows-only
• Lacks advanced IDE features

Best For: Windows users who want speed and simplicity

⇒ 30 Notepad 2 Keyboard Shortcuts

3. Sublime Text

Sublime Text focuses on speed and minimalism. It launches almost instantly and handles large files better than most editors. Multiple cursors, command palette, and split editing make it very efficient once you learn it. Sublime doesn’t overwhelm you with UI clutter. Plugin support exists but is intentionally limited. It’s not free, but many developers consider it worth the price. As alternatives to Brackets go, this one feels clean and distraction-free.

Pros:

• Extremely fast performance
• Clean and minimal interface
• Excellent multi-cursor support

Cons:

• Paid license required
• Fewer built-in features

Best For: Developers who value speed and focus

⇒ 100 Sublime Text Keyboard Shortcuts
⇒ 15 Best Sublime Text Alternatives & Competitors

4. VSCodium

VSCodium is essentially VS Code without Microsoft telemetry. It offers the same interface, extension compatibility, and performance as VS Code. If privacy matters to you, this is one of the safest Brackets Alternatives available. You still get IntelliSense, debugging, and Git tools. Setup feels familiar if you’ve used VS Code before. Updates lag slightly behind official VS Code releases but remain stable. It’s a strong choice for open-source purists.

Pros:

• Open-source and telemetry-free
• Full VS Code extension support
• Cross-platform

Cons:

• Slightly delayed updates
• Smaller official support ecosystem

Best For: Privacy-focused developers

5. Atom

Atom was designed to be a hackable editor for web developers. It supports HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and community plugins. The interface feels friendly and modern, similar to Brackets. However, Atom is now archived and no longer actively developed. It still works for small projects but isn’t future-proof. Performance can slow down on large files. Among Top Text Editors, Atom is more of a legacy option today.

Pros:

• Easy to customize
• Clean UI
• Good for learning

Cons:

• No active development
• Slower with large projects

Best For: Small projects and beginners

⇒ 70 Atom Keyboard Shortcuts

6. Vim

Vim is a keyboard-driven editor built for speed and control. Everything works through commands and modes instead of menus. It’s incredibly fast once mastered and works in terminals or GUIs. Vim supports plugins, scripting, and almost every language. The learning curve is steep, but efficiency is unmatched. Compared to IDEs like Brackets, Vim is a completely different mindset. It rewards long-term users.

Pros:

• Extremely fast
• Highly customizable
• Works everywhere

Cons:

• Very steep learning curve
• Not beginner-friendly

Best For: Advanced users and terminal lovers

⇒ 80 Vim Keyboard Shortcuts

7. TextMate

TextMate is a macOS-only editor that blends simplicity with power. It supports bundles, macros, and scripting. The interface stays clean and distraction-free. It handles HTML, CSS, and JS comfortably. While not a full IDE, it’s reliable for daily coding. Updates are stable but not frequent. For Mac users seeking alternatives to Brackets, TextMate fits nicely.

Pros:

• Lightweight and clean
• Strong macOS integration
• Scriptable

Cons:

• macOS only
• Limited IDE features

Best For: macOS developers

⇒ 110 TextMate Keyboard Shortcuts

8. Bluefish

Bluefish is designed mainly for web developers. It supports HTML, CSS, PHP, and templating languages. The editor is lightweight but packed with practical tools like snippets and auto-completion. It doesn’t try to look fancy it focuses on productivity. Performance is solid even on older systems. Updates are still active. It’s a dependable option among Brackets Competitors.

Pros:

• Focused on web development
• Lightweight and fast
• Cross-platform

Cons:

• Dated interface
• Limited extensions

Best For: Traditional web developers

⇒ 77 Bluefish Keyboard Shortcuts

9. WebStorm

WebStorm is a full-featured JavaScript IDE. It excels with React, Angular, Vue, and Node.js. Code completion, refactoring, and debugging are top-tier. It’s heavier than text editors but extremely powerful. WebStorm is actively maintained and stable. Compared to Brackets, this feels like a big upgrade. It’s paid, but aimed at professionals.

Pros:

• Excellent JavaScript tooling
• Advanced debugging
• Professional IDE features

Cons:

• Paid software
• Resource-heavy

Best For: Professional JavaScript developers

10. Komodo Edit

Komodo Edit supports multiple languages and basic debugging. It’s a lighter version of Komodo IDE. The editor includes syntax highlighting and project tools. Performance is acceptable but not exceptional. Updates are infrequent, and UI feels dated. Still, it works fine for basic development. It remains a functional alternative to Brackets.

Pros:

• Multi-language support
• Open-source
• Decent debugging

Cons:

• Outdated interface
• Slower updates

Best For: Multi-language scripting

⇒ 21 Komodo Edit Keyboard Shortcuts

11. EditPlus

EditPlus is a Windows-based text editor with built-in browser preview. It supports syntax highlighting and FTP integration. Performance is fast and stable. The UI feels old but functional. It’s paid software with a one-time license. For simple workflows, it does the job well. Among Top Text Editors, it’s more traditional.

Pros:

• Fast and stable
• FTP support
• Built-in preview

Cons:

• Windows-only
• Dated design

Best For: Windows web developers

12. Aptana Studio

Aptana Studio is a web-focused IDE built on Eclipse. It supports HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP. Git integration is included. Performance is decent but slower than modern editors. Updates are limited today. It still works for legacy projects. As IDEs like Brackets, it leans more toward structured workflows.

Pros:

• Web-focused IDE
• Git support
• Free to use

Cons:

• Heavy and slow
• Limited development

Best For: Legacy web projects

⇒ 45 Aptana Studio Keyboard Shortcuts

13. jEdit

jEdit is a Java-based editor known for deep customization. It supports plugins and macros. Performance depends on system resources. The UI feels dated but functional. It’s cross-platform and open-source. Setup takes time, but flexibility is high. It’s best for users who enjoy tweaking tools.

Pros:

• Highly customizable
• Cross-platform
• Plugin support

Cons:

• Dated interface
• Not beginner-friendly

Best For: Advanced users who want control

⇒ 107 jEdit Keyboard Shortcuts

Comparison Table: Best Brackets Alternatives at a Glance

Which Brackets Alternative Should You Choose?

If you’re coming directly from Brackets, don’t overthink the switch. Start with what matches your workflow.

• Choose Visual Studio Code if you want a modern editor that will grow with your skills and projects. It’s the safest long-term choice.
• Pick Sublime Text or Notepad++ if you mainly want speed and a distraction-free coding experience.
• Go with WebStorm if you work heavily with JavaScript frameworks and want IDE-level intelligence.
• Use Vim or jEdit only if you enjoy keyboard-centric workflows and deep customization.
• Stick to Bluefish or EditPlus if you prefer classic web development tools without complexity.

There’s no “best” editor only the one that fits how you work every day.

Conclusion

Brackets had a strong run, especially for front-end developers who wanted something clean, simple, and focused on web technologies. But with Brackets no longer actively maintained, sticking with it today isn’t practical. That’s why exploring reliable Brackets Alternatives is no longer optional it’s necessary.

The good news is that there’s no shortage of capable options. If you want a modern, future-proof editor with a massive ecosystem, Visual Studio Code and VSCodium are easy picks. If speed and minimalism matter more, Sublime Text, Notepad++, or TextMate get the job done without distractions. For developers who need deeper tooling, WebStorm and Aptana Studio offer IDE-level power. And if full keyboard control and efficiency are your priorities, Vim and jEdit stand out.

The key takeaway is simple: the best editor is the one that fits your workflow, not the most popular one. All the tools listed here are proven alternatives to Brackets, actively used by developers across different skill levels. Choose something that’s actively maintained, comfortable to use daily, and flexible enough to grow with your projects. Once you do, you won’t miss Brackets at all.

FAQs – Brackets Alternatives

Is Brackets officially discontinued?

Yes. Adobe officially discontinued Brackets, and it no longer receives updates or security fixes. That’s why switching to active Brackets Alternatives is strongly recommended.

Which Brackets alternative is best for beginners?

Visual Studio Code and Notepad++ are the easiest options for beginners. VS Code offers guided extensions, while Notepad++ keeps things simple.

Is VS Code better than Brackets?

For modern development, yes. VS Code offers better performance, extensions, debugging tools, and long-term support compared to Brackets.

Are there lightweight alternatives to Brackets?

Yes. Sublime Text, Notepad++, Bluefish, and EditPlus are lightweight and faster than most full IDEs.

Can I replace Brackets’ Live Preview feature?

Absolutely. VS Code supports Live Server extensions that replicate and often improve Brackets’ live preview functionality.