• Filed to: Mac Tutorials
When you look at the PDF format, you realize why it has become the best way of sending documents over the Internet 0 it does not change the formatting no matter which tool is used to view it. This makes it the standard for portable documents. Editing a PDF file on Mac is very challenging since there are fewer PDF editors created for Mac when compared to those created for Windows. However, there are still some that work on the Mac and have powerful editing features, and we are bringing you 5 free PDF text editors for Mac. These tools can perform a wide range of editing tasks, such as rotating. Cutting, slitting, merging, and so much more.
Part 1. Top 5 Free PDF Text Editor for Mac (macOS 10.15 Catalina Included)
#1. Inkscape
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux. Komodo Edit is a free text editor that features auto-complete, skins and icon sets and a change tracker. Komodo IDE is a superior alternative from the same developers that has a visual debugger, version control, workflow management, syntax highlighting and a host of add-ons to extend functionality. Distraction-free software and customizing your experience when writing, whether it’s a text editor or a free word processor for Mac, is trending. And since we all know the story of the struggling writer, it doesn’t hurt to cut out those fees either. Free Text Editor For Mac Os X 10.44 Tiger Download Free Text Editor For Mac Os X 10.4 Owser For Mac Os X 10 4 Free Download WYSIWYG stands for “ What You See Is What You Get “, which means that the editing display closely corresponds the appearance of the page displayed to the end-user.
This is primarily a graphics tool, but you can also edit PDF files with it. It is able to open the PDF file and then edit the images and the text within it. The sentences are added as text boxes and this makes it tedious when you have to edit a large volume of text. You have to change each and every sentence, and sometimes when text flows below, you have to edit the full paragraph even if you only intended to change one sentence. When you are editing the images in the PDF file, you will get great results.
Pros:
- It is strongly suitable for editing images within a PDF file but the text could be challenging.
- It can open every PDF file, even if it has got protection.
- You can use it to create images out of PDF files.
Cons:
- The fact that every sentence is placed in a textbox makes it quite hard to edit the text in a PDF document
#2. Scribus
Scribus is a free PDF text editor for Mac that can be used to edit PDF files. It allows you to add text and images, but you cannot edit the text and images on the original PDF file. You must add a white textbox and then you write over the original text. This is a tool that allows you to do prepress operations, so you can immediately get color separation for taking to your printer. The beauty of this tool is that you can create our own PDF file from scratch. The tool may look very simple, but it has a lot of versatility when it comes to creating a PDF file. It is more of a PDF creator than a PDF editor.
Pros:
- It has the ability to create a new PDF file.
- It has the ability to give color separations of your document.
- The user interface is simple and you have more editing control.
Cons:
- It is not able to edit the original text and one has to write over it.
#3. Skim
Although this tool was created as a PDF reader for Mac, it also has PDF editing capabilities. It allows you to add notes and annotations. The tool is fantastic for creating PDF presentations. The tool cannot edit the existing text, but you can add a white box to cover the existing text and then add your own text on top. You can also add images to cover those that are on the original PDF file.
Pros:
- This is one of the most popular PDF editors for Mac due to the simple way that it works.
- Emphasize a point on the PDF text by adding highlights and annotations.
- You can add a white box over existing text and then type more text to change the content of the PDF file.
- The file is light and does not use up a lot of system resources even when editing large PDF files
Cons:
- The limited PDF editing features makes it unsuitable for advanced editing of files.
#4. Formulate Pro for Mac
This is a powerful PDF text editor for Mac. You can use it to redact PDF files. You can also rearrange pages and also merge them into one single PDF file. You can also use OCR to convert scanned printed documents into editable text. The tool also allows you to create your own PDF file from the start. You will also be able to add a digital signature to your files.
Pros:
- The ability to create PDF files allows you to express your creativity.
- You are able to append your digital signature to protect your files.
- The simple user interface makes it very easy to use.
- You can create documents in other tools and then convert them to PDF files.
- You can change the order of the pages in a PDF file. You can also change text and images.
Cons:
- It can save any work done into PDF but not ePub, so is not the best for making eBooks.
#5. Foxit
Once again this was designed to be a PDF reader for Mac, but it can also edit PDF files to some extent. You can make notes and add multimedia levels. The tool allows you to secure the file using a password and you can also run JavaScript on the PDF file. Every sentence is a text box, and this can make it very challenging to edit several paragraphs in a PDF file. When you start replacing text in one of the text boxes and the text has to over flow, it means editing all the other lines as well. The tool has a connected signature feature which allows you to see how many people have been reading your PDF document.
Pros:
- You can add multimedia levels.
- It is quite easy to use.
- You can secure and annotate text.
- It can open PDF files which have password protection.
Free Text Editor For Mac Download
Cons:
- When every sentence is a text box, editing a page of text can be a very tiring task.
Part 2. The Best PDF Text Editor for Mac (Including macOS 10.15 Catalina)
PDFelement Pro is also available for editing PDF text on the macOS 10.15 Catalina. The tool goes into the file and edits every little element. PDFelement Pro is also the best PDF text editor and is available for editing PDF text on the Mac. The tool goes into the file and edits every little element. This PDF editor allows you to change font type, size and font color according to your needs easily.
3 Easy Steps to Edit Texts in PDF Files
- Step 1: Install PDFelement Pro on your computer.
- Step 2: Click on 'Open File' button to import a PDF file to the PDF editor.
- Step 3: Choose the 'Edit' option from the toolbar and change the font size or style on the right side of the main interface.
Why Choose PDFelement Pro to Edit Texts in PDF
With the help of PDFelement Pro, you can even change the permissions and metadata of a file. You may also change the order and orientation of pages. Delete and insert pages from other PDF files. You may even scan printed documents and turn them into text which can then be saved as a PDF file. This versatility has made it very popular among PDF enthusiasts. Here are some of the salient features of this tool:
- Create and Convert PDF – Now you can exercise your creativity by designing your own PDF document from the start. You may also design the document in another format and then convert it to PDF.
- Design PDF forms – many ties people go to online resources looking for PDF forms to alter. Now you can create your own original PDF forms. You can also fill and edit other forms.
- Edit & OCR a PDF File– You can now scan printed documents and then import them into this tool for conversion via OCR. The scanned text will be detected and then it can be edited on the computer.
- Add Digital Identity – you can now sign your PDF files with a digital identity unique to you. You can also create a signature to append to the bottom of your official letters.
- Simple user interface – the clean and simple user interface allows you to work effectively on your PDF files.
Text editors, sometimes called code editors, are an essential tool when working with code.
Modern text editors provide a host of tools and features to help you modify code such as syntax highlighting for multiple languages, built-in file uploads, error reporting, search and replace and more.
Whether you are a full time web developer, or a website owner that needs to make a few quick edits to a template, you will appreciate how useful text editors can be.
In this article, we would like to show you what we at Design Bombs consider to be the best text editors of 2021.
1. TextPad (FREE Evaluation / $27)
Platforms: Windows
TextPad is a flexible text editor for Windows that features a built-in file manager, a search and replace engine and a keystroke macro recorder.
It allows drag and drop editing between files and works well with large files too.
I have actively used TextPad since my University days in the 90s and it remains one of my favourite website applications. You can download TextPad free of charge for evaluation, but the developers ask that you upgrade for $27 if you decide to continue using it.
2. Atom (FREE)
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux
Atom is an open source text editor that is available for multiple platforms. It is free to download.
It features a file system browser, find and replace and smart auto-completion. Atom also allows you to work with Git and GitHub directly within the editor.
New features and functionality can be added using its built-in package manager and it comes with eight dark and light themes.
3. Sublime Text (FREE Evaluation / $80)
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux
Sublime Text is a gorgeous multi-platform text editor that has many useful shortcut commands to improve efficiency. It can be used to find code within files in seconds.
It has a dedicated package manager that helps you install thousands of community-created packages to add more features. Multi-window editing is supported too.
Sublime Text can be downloaded free of charge for evaluation. A premium license costs $80 and comes with three years of updates.
4. Espresso (FREE Trial / $99)
Platforms: Mac
Espresso is a versatile code editor for Mac that supports custom code snippets, multi-file editing and tabbed workspaces.
Dozens of plugin extensions and syntax themes are available to help you add functionality and improve the look and feel of the app. CSS editing tools are available too.
The application is available for $99.
5. Vim (FREE)
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, Unix, iOS, Android
Evolved from the Atari ST’s popular ST Editor, Vim is flexible open source text editor that has 12 different editing modes. This includes a visual mode that highlights area of text, a command line mode and an easy mode.
Hundreds of programming languages are supported and there are a large number of plugin extensions available that add additional functionality.
6. Visual Studio Code (FREE)
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux
Microsoft’s Visual Studio Code editor is a stylish multi-platform text editor that is free to download.
It features auto-complete, syntax highlighting and debugging.
Git commands are built into the editor so that you can push and pull requests. A number of extensions are also available so that you can add new languages, themes and tools.
7. Brackets (FREE)
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux
Brackets is an open source text editor that features inline editing, live previews, quick edits and live highlighting.
A host of extensions are available that add functionality such as indenting, Git integration, W3C validation and JavaScript, HTML and CSS formatting.
8. Coda ($99)
Platforms: Mac
Designed for Mac users, Coda is an useful text editor that has a built-in file and SSH manager.
It has colourful syntax highlighting, CSS overriding and advanced syncing between devices. MacBook Pro users can also switch between editor and preview mode using their laptop touch bar.
9. Code Editor ($24.99)
Platforms: iOS
Designed for iPad and iPhone, Code Editor is a beautiful text editing solution from Panic, the same company behind Coda.
It features a dual file browser, SSH terminal support and unique editing modes for Shell, SQL, Swift and more.
Code Editor is available from the Apple app store for $24.99.
10. UltraEdit (FREE Trial / $79.95 Per Year)
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux
UltraEdit is a multi-platform text editor that has built-in FTP, SSH and Telnet managers.
A host of themes are included with UltraEdit and it boasts multi-code select and advanced file searching. It supports large files too and the editor has been designed to work with high resolution displays.
A 30 day free trial is available for UltraEdit. Once the trial has expired, it costs $79.95 per year.
Free Text Editing Software
11. BBEdit (FREE Trial / $49.99)
Platforms: Mac
Developed for Mac, BBEdit is a useful text editor that features an advanced search and replace engine and a built-in file manager and FTP manager.
A unix command-line tool is also available and there is integration support for Git, Subversion and AppleScript.
BBEdit retails at $49.99, however you can download it free of charge and test it for 30 days.
12. TextMate($56)
Platforms: Mac
Another text editor that Apple users should check out is TextMate.
It offers multiple caret editing, version control, code snippets, macro recording, folding sections and shell integration. Custom actions, custom themes and extensible bundles are also available.
Although TextMate is open source, the product is sold commercially for $56.
13. Codeshare (FREE)
Platforms: Online
Codeshare is a free online text editor that lets you write, edit and share code with friends and colleagues.
It can be used to teach code to others and share code. Many companies also use the tool to set coding tasks for interviewees.
14. CoffeeCup (FREE / $29)
Platforms: Windows
CoffeeCup is a popular HTML editor for Windows that has a large components library and a built-in W3C markup validation tool.
A split-screen preview pane allows you to see what your HTML and CSS code will generate. There is also a tags tab that has references for (X)HTML, PHP, and CSS tags.
A free version of CoffeeCup is available with less features, with the full version retailing at $29.
15. Komodo Edit & Komodo IDE (FREE)
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux
Komodo Edit is a free text editor that features auto-complete, skins and icon sets and a change tracker.
Komodo IDE is a superior alternative from the same developers that has a visual debugger, version control, workflow management, syntax highlighting and a host of add-ons to extend functionality.
16. CodePen (FREE / $8 Per Month)
Platforms: Online
One of the largest coding communities online, CodePen is a free online code tool that allows users to share and test HTML, CSS and JavaScript code snippets.
The CodePen text editor looks great, highlighting syntax code with many colours.
The majority of CodePen features are free to use, however premium plans are available from $8 per month that remove advertisements and add features such as live view and unrestricted theme embedding with custom CSS.
17. Codeanywhere (FREE Trial / $2.50 Per Month)
Platforms: Online
Codeanywhere is a cloud code editing and sharing solution that lets you edit code remotely and move and copy files and folders across FTP, Google Drive, Dropbox and more.
Its text editor has syntax highlighting for over 75 programming languages and features split panes, grid mode, multiple cursors and custom themes. It also supports file revisions and has a built-in terminal console.
Free Python Text Editor Mac
A 7 day free trial is available to help you test the service, with premium plans starting from $2.50 per month.
18. Notepad++ (FREE)
Platforms: Windows
Notepad++ is an open source Windows text editor that offers syntax highlighting, scripting, auto-complete, macro recording and split screen editing.
Over 140 plugin extensions are available that let you add functionality such as W3C validation, text sorting and quote handling.
The application is free to download.
19. WeBuilder ($59.95)
Platforms: Windows
Creators for Windows users, WeBuilder is a versatile code editing application that has syntax highlighting for many popular programming languages.
It features several themes, advanced search and replace, macro recording, split editing, shortcuts for code snippets and code templates, a built-in file upload manager and many code validation tools.
WeBuilder retails from $59.95. The developers are behind other text editors that are also worth checking out such as Rapid CSS Editor, HTMLPad and Rapid PHP Editor.
20. Spacemacs (FREE)
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, Unix
Despite its name, Spacemacs is not just for Apple users. It is a multi-platform text editing solution that brings Emacs and Vim tools together.
The application features graphical and command line user-interfaces and boasts key bindings. There are many community created plugin extensions too that add functionality.
As Spacemacs is open source, it is free to download.
21. PhpStorm (FREE Trial / $199 Per Year)
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux
PhpStorm is a premium text editor that provides code analysis and error prevention for programming languages such as PHP, HTML, CSS, JavaScript and other languages.
It works well with modern content management systems such as Drupal, WordPress, Magento and Joomla, and offers features such as version control, remote deployment, command line tools and advanced debugging.
PhpStorm retails at $199 for the first year, $159 for the second year and $119 for subsequent years. A 30 day free trial is available to help you test the application.
22. GNU Emacs (FREE)
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux
GNU Emacs is an open source multi-platform text editor that offers syntax highlighting and a customisable graphical user-interface.
A large number of plugin packages are available that add additional functionality such as code snippets, custom themes and HTML5 schemas.
You can download GNU Emacs free of charge.
23. Bluefish (FREE)
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux
Our final recommendation is Bluefish. This lightweight editor offers search and replace, file uploads via FTP and SFTP, a snippets sidebar and code block folding.
An unlimited amount of undos and redos are permitted and Bluefish will show any mistakes you have in your code.
Bluefish is an open source application, so is free to download on Windows, Mac and Linux.
Final Thoughts
I hope you have enjoyed this look at the best text editors of 2020. If so, I encourage you to subscribe to Design Bombs. You can also get updates of our latest articles by subscribing by RSS or by following us on Facebook or Twitter.
What’s your favorite text editor?
Let us know in the comment area below 🙂
Kevin