CotEditor
UnclaimedA lightweight, neat, and powerful plain-text editor designed specifically for macOS.
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Tracked since2026
0 reviews trackedThe Bottom Line
Entry price
Free, no paid tier
Biggest pro
Free and open-source
Biggest con
Only available for macOS
TL;DR - CotEditor
- A free, open-source plain-text editor for macOS.
- Offers fast launch times and a native macOS user experience.
- Includes syntax highlighting, powerful find/replace, and automatic backup.
Pricing: Free forever
Best for: Individuals & startups
What is CotEditor?
CotEditor is a free, open-source plain-text editor built exclusively for macOS. It offers a native macOS experience, ensuring it looks and behaves like a standard Mac application. Designed for speed, it launches quickly, allowing users to start writing immediately.
This editor is ideal for developers, writers, and anyone who needs a robust yet simple text editing tool on their Mac. It provides essential features like syntax highlighting for over 50 languages, powerful find and replace capabilities using ICU regular expressions, and an intuitive settings window that eliminates the need for complex configuration files. Additional features include automatic document backup, an outline menu for quick navigation, split editor views, and a character inspector for Unicode data. It also supports scripting in various languages and offers CJK language friendliness, making it a versatile tool for a wide range of users.
Available on: macOS
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Free and open-source
- Lightweight and rapid launch time
- Native macOS look and feel
- No complex configuration files for settings
- Supports a wide range of scripting languages
Cons
- Only available for macOS
- May lack advanced features found in larger IDEs
- Community support dependent on open-source contributions
Key Features
Syntax Highlighting for over 50 languagesPowerful Find & Replace with ICU regular expressionsSettings via Click (no complex configuration files)Auto Backup of unsaved dataOutline Menu for quick navigationSplit Editor for viewing multiple document partsCharacter Inspector for Unicode dataScriptable with Python, Ruby, Perl, PHP, UNIX shell, AppleScript, JavaScript
Pricing Plans
Pricing checked Jun 21, 2026
Free
Free
- Syntax Highlighting
- Powerful Find & Replace
- Setting via Click
- Auto Backup
- Outline Menu
- Split Editor
- Character Inspector
- Scriptable
Reviews
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CotEditor FAQ
Which regular expression engine does CotEditor utilize for its find and replace functionality?
CotEditor employs the ICU regular expression engine for its powerful find and replace capabilities. This allows for advanced pattern matching and text manipulation within documents.
Can users define custom syntax highlighting rules in CotEditor?
Yes, users can create their own syntax highlighting settings in CotEditor. In addition to the more than 50 pre-installed languages, this allows for personalized colorization based on specific needs.
How does CotEditor handle unsaved document data?
CotEditor automatically backs up documents while they are being edited. This feature prevents data loss, ensuring that unsaved changes are preserved.
What scripting languages are supported for creating macros in CotEditor?
CotEditor supports a variety of scripting languages for macro creation, including Python, Ruby, Perl, PHP, UNIX shell, AppleScript, and JavaScript. Users can choose their preferred language to automate tasks.
How does the 'Incompatible Characters' feature assist users?
The 'Incompatible Characters' feature helps users identify and list characters in their document that cannot be converted into a desired encoding. This ensures data integrity when working with different character sets.
What specific functionalities does CotEditor offer to support CJK languages?
CotEditor provides several features for CJK language support, including accurate estimation of various file encodings, a toggle for vertical text mode, and correct line height maintenance. These features enhance the editing experience for East Asian languages.
Source: coteditor.com