Nova

Name: Nova
Brand: Nova
Price: 99 USD
Rating: 4.6 (48 reviews)

Claim this tool Editor reviewed

A powerful and flexible native macOS code editor with integrated tools for development workflows.

IDE & Code Editors Developer Tools Debugging Terminal Tools

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4.6(48 across the web)

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Reviews onG2Capterra

48 reviews tracked

The Bottom Line

Entry price

Paid plans only

Biggest pro

Mac native editor

Biggest con

Mac only

TL;DR - Nova

Native macOS code editor with a fast, feature-rich text editor.
Integrated development tools including Git, file browsers, terminal, and debugging.
Highly extensible with a JavaScript API and built-in extension browser.

Pricing: Paid only

Best for: Enterprises & pros

4.6/5 across review platforms

What is Nova?

Editorial review

Nova is a comprehensive native macOS code editor designed for developers. It features a hyper-fast and flexible text editor with smart autocomplete, multiple cursors, a Minimap, and extensive language support. Beyond just editing, Nova provides robust workflows for building, running, and cleaning projects with custom scripts, and includes built-in debugging for languages like PHP, Python, Chrome, Node.js, and Deno. The product integrates essential development tools such as a Transmit file browser, Prompt terminal, local and remote file browsers, Git source control, and a symbol navigator. Its highly customizable interface allows for personalized key bindings, workspace layouts, and editor tweaks. Nova is also highly extensible with a robust JavaScript-based API, enabling users to add support for new languages, themes, and functionalities through an integrated extension browser.

Available on: macOS

LCLouis CorneloupUpdated May 26, 2026 · how we evaluateSourcenova.app ↗

Pros & Cons

Pros

Mac native editor
Good performance
Beautiful UI
One-time purchase
Active development

Cons

Mac only
Expensive
Smaller ecosystem
VS Code free alternative
Extension limits

Ratings Across the Web

4.6(48 reviews)

What people say

“Despite some of it's shortcomings and price tag when compared with rivals, the speed, looks and remote editing keeps me hooked with Nova as my daily web dev workhorse.”via Capterra

Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more

Key Features

macOS code editorExtensions supportGit integrationTerminal built-inRemote developmentProject management

Pricing Plans

30-day Free Trial

Pricing checked Jul 19, 2026

Nova

$99/one-time

Mac-native code editor
1 year feature updates
Perpetual license
$49/year to renew (optional)

Calculate your cost View full pricing

Is Nova worth the price?

75/100

Nova's pricing at $99 for a perpetual license with one year of updates is fair, especially for a native macOS application.

The optional $49/year renewal for continued updates is a reasonable model. This pricing is best for professional macOS developers who value a dedicated, high-performance editor.

Hidden Costs & Gotchas

Updates beyond 1st year cost $49/year

No team licensing options

No free tier available

How Nova Compares to Competitors

Compared to Sublime Text, which offers a perpetual license for $99 with 3 years of updates, Nova's initial offering is similar. VS Code is free, but Nova offers a more integrated and native macOS experience for those willing to pay. Nova's renewal cost is also comparable to other paid editors' update plans.

Reviews

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4.6/5

Across 48 verified user reviews on Capterra, G2

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Best Nova Alternatives

Top alternatives based on features, pricing, and user needs.

Visual Studio CodeFree

Fast, lightweight, and customizable code editor for all languages

4.8

IntelliJ IDEAFreemium

The capable & ergonomic Java IDE

4.7

WebStormPaid

Professional JavaScript IDE with deep intelligence

4.6

CursorFreemium

AI pair programmer for intelligent code completion and generation

4.6

See all IDE & code editors tools →

Still deciding?

Most buyers shortlist 2 or 3 tools before committing. Pull a side-by-side comparison or browse the full alternatives shortlist below.

Nova vs Visual Studio CodeHead-to-head: features, pricing, who wins Nova vs IntelliJ IDEAHead-to-head: features, pricing, who wins Nova vs WebStormHead-to-head: features, pricing, who wins

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Nova FAQ

How does Nova support different programming languages?

Nova offers extensive language support within its hyper-fast and flexible text editor. Developers can also extend this support further by using its robust JavaScript-based API to add new languages via the integrated extension browser.

Which teams would benefit most from using Nova?

Teams working primarily within the macOS ecosystem would find Nova most beneficial due to its native macOS design and performance. It is well-suited for developers who value a highly customizable environment and integrated development tools.

How does Nova compare to Visual Studio Code?

Nova is a native macOS editor known for its performance and one-time purchase model, while Visual Studio Code is a free alternative available across multiple platforms. Nova offers a smaller extension ecosystem compared to Visual Studio Code's broader reach.

What kind of debugging capabilities does Nova provide?

Nova includes built-in debugging functionalities for several popular languages and runtimes. This includes support for PHP, Python, Chrome, Node.js, and Deno, allowing developers to troubleshoot their code directly within the editor.

What are the main limitations of Nova?

Nova's primary limitation is its exclusivity to macOS, meaning it is not available on other operating systems. It also has a smaller extension ecosystem compared to some competitors and is considered an expensive option.

How is Nova priced?

Nova is offered as a paid product, requiring a one-time purchase for its license. It does not include a permanently free tier for ongoing use.

Can Nova integrate with version control systems?

Yes, Nova integrates directly with Git for source control, allowing developers to manage their code versions within the editor. It also includes a symbol navigator for easier code exploration.

Source: nova.app

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