TextMate alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data
Common reasons people leave TextMate: development has slowed for years, and no built-in language server support. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces TextMate, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Sublime Text currently ranks first.
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Show all 5 alternativesThe best TextMate alternative for…
The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.
Best TextMate alternative for most people
Sublime TextUses the same grammar ideas, actively developed and cross-platform.
Best TextMate alternative for a free option
CotEditorFree, open source and actively maintained for plain-text work on the Mac.
Best TextMate alternative for a free plan you can upgrade
BBEditA long-running, actively developed Mac editor with a free mode.
Best TextMate alternative for open source
Visual Studio CodeFree, actively developed, and still reads TextMate grammars.
Best TextMate alternative for Mac
NovaA modern native Mac editor with language servers and Git built in.
Best TextMate alternative for Windows
Sublime TextUses the same grammar ideas, actively developed and cross-platform.
Best TextMate alternative for Linux
Sublime TextUses the same grammar ideas, actively developed and cross-platform.
Best TextMate alternative for working in the browser
Visual Studio CodeFree, actively developed, and still reads TextMate grammars.
TextMate alternatives: common questions
What is the best alternative to TextMate?
Sublime Text ranks first right now. Uses the same grammar ideas, actively developed and cross-platform. Nova and CotEditor follow it in our ranking.
Is there a free alternative to TextMate?
Yes. CotEditor (open source), Visual Studio Code (free) and BBEdit (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.
Is there an open-source alternative to TextMate?
Yes: CotEditor and Visual Studio Code.
Which TextMate alternatives work on Linux?
Sublime Text and Visual Studio Code run on Linux.
Why do people switch from TextMate?
The complaints we hear most: development has slowed for years; no built-in language server support; macOS only.
How is this list ranked?
Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces TextMate, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.