Top 8 Best Alternatives to Notepad for Mac

Notepad is a software application used for writing, editing, and saving text documents. Common features of text editors like Notepad include the ability to open, save, and create new text documents; edit existing text documents; and format text.

Notepad is pre-installed on all Windows operating systems, and can be found in the Accessories folder. Mac users can find a similar application called TextEdit in their Applications folder.

If you’re looking for an alternative to Notepad for your Mac, there are a few good options available. In this article, we’ll take a look at 8 of the best Notepad alternatives for the Mac.

TextEdit

TextEdit is a free application that comes pre-installed on all Mac computers. It offers a simple interface for editing text documents, and supports both plain text and rich text formats. Rich text format support includes the ability to add images, tables, and hyperlinks to your documents.

To open TextEdit, go to your Applications folder and double-click on the TextEdit icon. Or , you can launch TextEdit from the Spotlight search feature by pressing Command+Spacebar and typing “textedit” into the search bar.

• Price: Free
• How to get it: Pre-installed on all Mac computers

SubEthaEdit

SubEthaEdit is a powerful and lightweight text editor with many features to help make your editing experience smoother. Some of its features include Split and New Views, which let you view and edit multiple documents side-by-side; Blockedit, which lets you easily select and edit blocks of text; Dark Mode, which is perfect for working in low-light conditions; and more.

SubEthaEdit also includes support for many programming languages, making it a great option for developers. Plus, its built-in support for AppleScript means that you can automate repetitive tasks with ease. And more important, SubEthaEdit is free and open-source, so anyone can use it.

To download SubEthaEdit, visit the official website at www.subethaedit.net. Once the download is complete, double-click on the SubEthaEdit icon to launch the application.

• Price: Free
• How to get it: Download from their site.

Atom

Atom is a free and open-source text editor developed by GitHub. It’s available for Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems. Atom offers a sleek interface and features such as syntax highlighting, autocomplete, and plugin support.

To download Atom, visit the official website at atom.io. Once the download is complete, double-click on the Atom icon to launch the application.

• Price: Free
• How to get it: Download from atom.io

Sublime Text

Sublime Text is a popular cross-platform text editor with a loyal following. It’s known for its clean interface, powerful features, and customizability. It comes with a wide range of features, including syntax highlighting, code completion, autocomplete, multiple selections, go to anything, and much more. It also offers extensive customization options via its plugin system.

If you’re looking for a feature-rich text editor that’s also highly customizable, Sublime Text is a great option. It’s available for a free trial, and can be purchased for $99.

• Price: Free or $99
• How to get it: Download from sublimetext.com

Notepad From Xiaobo Wang

If you’re looking for a basic, no-frills text editor that just lets you get down to business and doesn’t get in your way, Notepad is the app for you. It’s lightweight, fast, and straightforward—perfect for editing any type of text file without all the extra bells and whistles.

Notepad also includes some handy features to make your editing experience smoother, like an automatic removal of formatting when pasting text and instant line, character, and word counters. Plus, its monospace font ensures that your text looks neat and tidy.

You can drags files right onto the Notepad dock icon to open them, and save them in any format you need. Notepad From Xiaobo Wang is the perfect text editor for anyone who just wants to get the job done.

• Price: $1.99
• How to get it: Download from the Mac App Store

BBEdit

BBEdit is a powerful text editor with a long history. It’s been around for over 20 years, and has been a favorite of web developers and power users since its inception.

BBEdit is packed with features, including support for over 20 programming languages, syntax highlighting, code completion, function navigation, grep patterns, file comparisons, and much more. Despite its feature-packed nature, BBEdit remains easy to use thanks to its intuitive interface. It’s also regularly updated with new features and improvements.

If you’re looking for a powerful text editor with a wealth of features, BBEdit is a great option. It’s available for a 30 day free trial, and can be purchased for $49.99.

• Price: $49.99
• How to get it: Download from the Bare Bones website.

Ulysses

Ulysses is a text editor specifically designed for writers. It offers a minimalist interface that allows you to focus on your writing, and features such as distraction-free mode, focus mode, and typewriter scrolling make it perfect for long-form writing.

Ulysses also includes powerful features such as Markdown support, word count goals, auto-save, and more. Plus, its iCloud sync support ensures that your documents are always backed up and accessible on all of your devices.

I have been using Ulysses for writing articles, blog posts, and it has quickly become my go-to text editor for all my writing needs. If you’re a writer, I highly recommend giving Ulysses a try.

It’s available for a free trial, and can be purchased for $44.99/year. Or if you are using Setapp, you can get it for free as part of your subscription.

• Pirce: $44.99/year
• How to get it: Download from the Ulysses website or get it free with Setapp.

Visual Studio Code

Visual Studio Code is a free and open-source code editor developed by Microsoft. It’s available for Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems. Visual Studio Code offers features such as syntax highlighting, code completion, and debugging.

To download Visual Studio Code, visit the official website at code.visualstudio.com. Once the download is complete, double-click on the Visual Studio Code icon to launch the application.

• Price: Free
• How to get it: Download from the Visual Studio Code website. 

FAQs

1. What is the best notepad for Mac?

There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on your individual needs and preferences. However, some of the most popular notepads for Mac include Sublime Text, BBEdit, and SubEthaEdit.

2. Does Mac have a built-in notepad?

Yes, Mac does have a built-in notepad application called TextEdit. To launch TextEdit, open Finder and then click on the Applications folder. Inside the Applications folder, look for the TextEdit app and double-click on it to launch the app.

3. Is there a Notepad++ for Mac?

Notepad++ is a popular text editor for Windows, but there is no official version of Notepad++ for Mac. However, there are some great Notepad++ alternatives for Mac that offer similar features and functionality. Some of the best Notepad++ alternatives for Mac include CodeRunner, Whisk, Atom, Brackets, and Visual Studio Code.

Conclusion

There are a number of great notepad alternatives for Mac, but the best one for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences.

If you just need a basic text editor, Notepad or TextEdit will be more than sufficient. However, if you need a more powerful text editor with additional features, then I would recommend Sublime Text, Atom, Brackets, or Visual Studio Code. And Ulysses will be the best choice for you if you’re looking for a notepad specifically designed for writers.

No matter which text editor you choose, make sure that it’s one that you’re comfortable using and that meets your needs. The most important thing is that you find a text editor that helps you be productive and get the job done.

We hope this article has helped you find the best notepad for Mac. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to leave a comment below. Thank you for reading!