Coding on Ubuntu 24.04 is made easier with the right tools at your fingertips, and what you’re looking for is typically referred to as a code editor, though the term has evolved to encompass much more versatile IDEs (Integrated Development Environments).
In 2025, there’s a bunch of free text editors made for Ubuntu that transform programming from a challenge into an art form(a lot of them even allow you to integrate Ai!). If you’re looking for the best tools to code on Ubuntu, this list of the top code editors will guide you through your selection process. Let us know in the comments if we missed one.
Best Text Editors on Ubuntu 24.04
#1. Visual Studio Code
Visual Studio Code is a lightweight but powerful source code editor that runs on your desktop and is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It comes with built-in support for JavaScript, TypeScript, and Node.js, and has a rich ecosystem of extensions for other languages like C++, C#, Python, PHP, and Go. [ Learn more about using VS Code on Ubuntu ]
Key Features:
- Emmet syntax for HTML and CSS development
- Global find and replace, including regex search
- ESLint for JavaScript linting
- Code folding and multi-cursor editing
- Integrated Git and debugging support
#2. NetBeans
NetBeans IDE is the official IDE for Java development. It comes with tools for rapidly building desktop, web, and mobile applications with Java, JavaScript, and PHP. NetBeans includes a powerful code editor, tools for version control, and a debugger.
Key Features:
- Comprehensive Java support
- Extensible with plug-ins for additional language support
- Integrated tools for version control and testing
- Support for cloud-based development
#3. Kate
Kate is a powerful and lightweight text editor developed by KDE. It features split windows, session support, and integrated Git. Kate is highly customizable, making it a great alternative for developers looking for a fast and modern code editor.
Key Features:
- Multiple document interface
- Supports various programming languages
- Integrated Git support
- Split view and session management
#4. Lapce
Lapce is a fast, open-source code editor written in Rust. It’s designed to be lightweight and modular, offering a powerful coding experience with features like modal editing, a built-in terminal, and excellent performance.
Key Features:
- Fast and lightweight, built with Rust
- Modal editing support
- Integrated terminal
- Plugin support for customization
#5. Sublime Text
Sublime Text is a cross-platform source code editor that offers a simple, distraction-free interface with powerful features like multiple selections, a command palette, and Goto Anything. It’s highly customizable and supports a wide range of programming languages. [ Learn more about using Sublime Text on Ubuntu ]
Key Features:
- Multiple selections and split editing
- Powerful Goto Anything functionality
- Customizable with themes and key bindings
- Lightning-fast performance
What Is a Code Editor For Linux?
A source code editor is a text editor program designed specifically for editing source code of computer programs by programmers. It may be a standalone application or it may be built into an integrated development environment (IDE) or web browser.
Source code editors are the most fundamental programming tool, as the fundamental job of programmers is to write and edit source code. – Wikipedia
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