Best Code Editors (2025)

Ranked picks for code editors. No "it depends."

🧊Nice Pick

Visual Studio Code

The code editor that ate the world, and somehow made us all love it.

Full Rankings

The code editor that ate the world, and somehow made us all love it.

Pros

  • +Lightning-fast startup and performance, even with extensions
  • +Built-in Git integration that actually works without headaches
  • +Extension marketplace so vast it has a plugin for your toaster

Cons

  • -Memory hog when you load too many extensions (we all do it)
  • -Microsoft's telemetry is always watching, even if you turn it off

An operating system masquerading as an editor. Org-mode alone is worth the RSI.

Pros

    Cons

      The OG modal editor. Steep learning curve, infinite ceiling, no escape key needed.

      Pros

        Cons

          VS Code but fast. Written in Rust by the Atom creators who learned their lesson.

          Pros

            Cons

              Vim but it actually works. Lua config, LSP support, and a community that ships.

              Pros

                Cons

                  Head-to-head comparisons

                  Missing a tool?

                  Email nice@nicepick.dev and I'll add it to the rankings.