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For every web designer, Cascading Style Sheets or CSS is an integral part of web designing. Creating a well-designed website requires a good understanding of CSS coding. Even though there are various tools and platforms to help you create CSS files, having access to a good CSS editor can make the task much easier and smoother. A good CSS editor can not only speed up your workflow but also make your coding more efficient and less prone to errors. Working with CSS doesn’t necessarily require an expensive software suite, several free software options on the market are both beginner-friendly and powerful. However, given the number of CSS editors available for MacOS, choosing the right one can be challenging. In this article, we will take a look at the seven best CSS editors for Mac, exploring their features, pros and cons, and help you make an informed decision.
Video Tutorial:
What is a CSS Editor?
A CSS editor is a software tool used to create and manage Cascading Style Sheets files. The main function of CSS editors is to provide a visual interface for web developers to easily write and maintain the CSS code of their web pages. CSS editors typically include a range of editing tools such as syntax highlighting, code completion, and debugging features that help developers to write optimal and error-free CSS code.
Top 7 Best CSS Editors for Mac
1. Coda
Coda, developed by Panic, is an all-in-one web development environment with a focus on both coding and design. It comes with built-in support for CSS editing that allows you to create stylesheets easily and quickly. With the built-in preview and live website update features, it is easy to view the changes made in real-time. Coda offers other useful tools such as code folding, code autocomplete, and project-wide find and replace.
Pros:
- Live preview feature
- Supports multiple file types including SCSS and LESS
- Has a powerful search and replace functionality
Cons:
- Difficult to use for beginners
2. Espresso
Espresso is a web development tool developed by MacRabbit. It is widely known for its user-friendly interface, making it easy to use for beginners without sacrificing the power and functionality for advanced users. Espresso has built-in support for CSS, including support for LESS and SCSS extensions. It also has several features like auto-indentation, syntax highlighting, and many more that facilitate the development process.
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- Excellent workflow and project management features
- Includes a CSS tidy tool for cleaning up code
Cons:
- Less functionality compared to other editors
- No live preview feature
3. Brackets
Brackets is a free, open-source web editor developed by Adobe. It provides a wide range of features and extensions. It is designed for front-end web developers and comes with in-built support for CSS. Brackets has the ability to split screens, allowing you to edit two files at once. Other features include syntax highlighting, debugging assistance, and a live preview mode. Brackets also has over 100 extensions that you can use to customize it.
Pros:
- Completely free and open-source
- Intuitive interface
- Supports CSS extensions like LESS and SCSS
Cons:
- No WYSIWYG editing mode, so it may not be ideal for non-coders or beginners
4. TextMate
TextMate is one of the oldest code editors for Mac and remains a popular choice for developers. It is a powerful and lightweight text editor that comes with features specifically designed for developers. It has built-in support for CSS, which includes syntax highlighting, code completion, and code folding. TextMate also includes a bundle manager that allows you to select from a list of pre-made bundles, which include extra features to optimize your workflow.
Pros:
- Robust customization options through the bundle manager
- User-friendly interface
- Fast and efficient
Cons:
- Limited integration with other applications and tools
- Less beginner-friendly compared to some of the other editors on this list
5. Sublime Text
Sublime Text is a popular, cross-platform code editor that has a large and active developer community behind it. It is a powerful and customizable editor that has support for CSS syntax highlighting, code completion, and code folding. Sublime Text has a wide range of packages and plugins that allow developers to extend and customize the editor to meet their specific needs.
Pros:
- Lightweight and fast
- Supports multiple color schemes
- Extensible with plugins and packages
Cons:
- The free version often promotes or reminds you to buy the paid version
- No integrated live preview
6. Atom
Atom is an open-source code editor developed by GitHub. It is a flexible and customizable editor that provides a wide range of features, making it one of the most popular editors on this list. Among its features, Atom has a built-in package manager, code highlighting, a powerful find and replace tool, and a live preview feature. Atom also has over 3,700 packages that extend the editor’s functionality.
Pros:
- Free and open-source
- Highly customizable and extensible through packages and plugins
- Live preview feature
Cons:
- A bit slow and heavy on older Macs
- Not ideal for large projects as it may become unstable
7. Visual Studio Code
Visual Studio Code is a free, open-source code editor that provides a wide range of features for web developers. The editor includes a powerful set of debugging and syntax-highlighting tools that allow developers to easily identify and correct errors. It also has support for multiple extensions, including a CSS Linter and IntelliSense, which autocompletes your CSS code. Visual Studio Code also includes a live preview mode that helps you to visualize the changes you make.
Pros:
- Free and open-source
- Includes integrated debugging tools
- Live preview feature
Cons:
- No support for complex projects
- The interface may feel cluttered at times
Comprehensive Comparison of Each Software
| Free Trial | Price | Ease-of-Use | Value for Money | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coda | 7-day free trial | $99 | Intermediate/Advanced | High |
| Espresso | 14-day free trial | $80 | Beginner/Intermediate | High |
| Brackets | N/A (Free) | Free | Beginner/Intermediate | High |
| TextMate | 30-day free trial | $59 | Intermediate/Advanced | Low |
| Sublime Text | Unlimited free trial | $80 | Advanced | High |
| Atom | N/A (Free) | Free | Beginner/Intermediate | High |
| Visual Studio Code | N/A (Free) | Free | Beginner/Intermediate | High |
Our Thoughts on CSS Editors for Mac
Choosing the right CSS editor can make a significant difference in a web designer’s workflow and productivity. After considering the features and the feedback from current users, we recommend two CSS editors: Coda and Sublime Text. Coda is an all-in-one web development environment and has an impressive set of features that offer a friendly interface and convenient collaboration with other developers on the team. On the other hand, Sublime Text has been the go-to editor for many developers due to its speed and stability, as well its customization options.
FAQs
Q1: What is the difference between a CSS editor and an IDE?
A: CSS editors are designed mainly for editing Cascading Style Sheets, whereas Integrated Development Environments (IDE) offer additional features like code debugging, version control, and database management.
Q2: Can I use a CSS editor for other programming languages?
A: CSS editors are primarily designed for Cascading Style Sheets, but many editors on this list support other programming languages like HTML, SCSS, LESS and more.
Q3: Are CSS editors only for professional developers?
A: CSS editors cater to a wide range of users, from beginners to professionals. The beginner-friendly editors on this list such as Brackets and Atom are a great starting point for newcomers who might not have a lot of experience writing CSS code.
Q4: Is it necessary to learn CSS before using a CSS editor?
A: Yes, it is essential to have a good understanding of CSS before using a CSS editor. CSS editors are tools that help you write CSS code more efficiently and correctly. You need to have knowledge of the basics of CSS and coding to utilize the features of a CSS editor.
Q5: Are there any free CSS editors for Mac?
A: Yes, there are several free CSS editors for Mac, including Brackets, Atom, and Visual Studio Code.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right CSS editor can make a significant difference in a web designer’s productivity and workflow. Whether you’re a professional web developer or a student learning how to code, having a good CSS editor can help you streamline your coding process and create more efficient and visually appealing web pages. Among the seven editors discussed in this article, Coda and Sublime Text stand out with their features, ease of use, and efficiency. It’s always best to try out different editors before settling on one to find the best fit for your coding and designing needs.