DevToys vs Nova: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between DevToys and Nova comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated March 14, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
DevToys
Swiss Army knife for developers
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • Swiss army knife for developers
- • Offline tools for encoding and formatting
Nova
A powerful and flexible native macOS code editor with integrated tools for development workflows.
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.8/10 vs 8.5/10)
- • Native macOS code editor with a fast, feature-rich text editor.
- • Integrated development tools including Git, file browsers, terminal, and debugging.
| At a Glance |  DevToys |  Nova |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Paid |
Best For | IDE & Code Editors | IDE & Code Editors |
Rating | 85/100 | 88/100 |
| Feature | DevToys | Nova |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Paid |
| Editorial Score | 85 | 88 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 217 | 0 |
| Categories | IDE & Code EditorsAPI Tools | IDE & Code EditorsDebugging |
How DevToys and Nova Compare
DevToys
Swiss Army knife for developers
Free · 85/100 score
Nova
A powerful and flexible native macOS code editor with integrated tools for development workflows.
Paid · 88/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
DevToys is free. Nova is paid.
Go with: DevToys
Want the highest-rated option?
DevToys: 85/100. Nova: 88/100.
Go with: Nova
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Nova
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
DevToys is free. Nova is paid. Go with DevToys if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are ide & code editors tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Nova scores higher: 88/100 vs 85/100.
Key Takeaways
Nova
- Higher score: 88/100 vs 85
- Our pick for this comparison
DevToys
- Completely free
- More community upvotes (217)
The Bottom Line
Nova (88/100) is our pick. That said, DevToys is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is DevToys or Nova better?
Nova scores 88/100 in our evaluation. DevToys is free and Nova is paid.
What are DevToys and Nova used for?
DevToys: Swiss Army knife for developers. Nova: A powerful and flexible native macOS code editor with integrated tools for development workflows..
What does DevToys cost vs Nova?
DevToys is completely free. Nova is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.