BBEdit

Active

Country: United States (US)
Founded: 1992
Developer: Bare Bones Software, Inc.
Pricing: Freemium (30-day free trial, then free mode with limited features or subscription for advanced features)
Open source: No
Platforms: macOS

Indexes

Code Editors/IDEs Text Editors

Overview

BBEdit is a professional text, code, and markup editor designed for macOS, serving web designers, software developers, writers, and system administrators. The application provides comprehensive tools for editing, searching, and manipulating text, source code, and HTML/XML markup. It has been in continuous development since 1992 and offers native support for numerous programming languages, version control systems, and scripting capabilities. BBEdit distinguishes itself through its robust feature set, including multi-file search and replace with regular expressions, FTP/SFTP capabilities, and deep integration with macOS technologies like AppleScript, Automator, and Shortcuts.

Key Features

Multi-file Search and Replace - Grep pattern matching and search-and-replace across multiple files with regular expression support
Version Control Integration - Built-in support for Git, Perforce, and Subversion with file difference viewing and change merging
HTML and Markup Tools - HTML preview, validation, code models, and comprehensive HTML/XML editing capabilities
Syntax Coloring and Code Folding - Syntax highlighting for numerous programming languages with code folding for improved readability
FTP and SFTP Support - Native FTP and SFTP file open and save capabilities, including FTPS transport-layer security
Unix Scripting Support - AppleScript, Automator, Shortcuts, and Unix shell script execution with improved long-running script handling
Text and Code Completion - Intelligent completion features for text and code to accelerate editing
Project Definition Tools - Function navigation and project organization capabilities for managing complex codebases
Writing Tools Integration - Support for macOS Sequoia Writing Tools feature for enhanced text composition
Workspaces Feature - Easy switching between different working environments and project contexts

Pricing

Plan	Price	Includes
Free (Evaluation)	Free for 30 days	Full feature set during 30-day evaluation period from first use
Free (Perpetual)	Free forever	Core features including basic editing, search, and limited advanced capabilities with no nag screens
Subscription (Advanced)	Subscription required	Full advanced feature set after evaluation period expires

Platforms & Requirements

BBEdit runs exclusively on macOS and requires macOS 12.0 or later. The application is Apple Silicon native and compatible with contemporary macOS versions. There are no versions available for Windows, Linux, iOS, or Android platforms.

Integrations & Ecosystem

Git version control
Perforce version control
Subversion version control
FTP and SFTP protocols
AppleScript
Automator
Shortcuts
Unix shell scripts

Alternatives

App	Difference
Visual Studio Code	Cross-platform code editor with extensive plugin ecosystem; free and open-source but less specialized for macOS workflows
Sublime Text	Cross-platform text editor with similar feature set; paid model but available on Windows and Linux
TextMate	macOS-only text editor with similar positioning; lighter weight but less actively developed
Xcode	Apple's integrated development environment; free but heavier and more focused on app development than general text editing
Nova	Modern macOS code editor from Panic; similar positioning but newer codebase and different feature priorities

Reputation

BBEdit is widely regarded as a mature, reliable tool with a loyal user base among macOS professionals, particularly system administrators and web developers. The application is praised for its stability, comprehensive feature set, and deep macOS integration. Some users note that the interface feels dated compared to newer editors, and the macOS-only availability limits its appeal in cross-platform development environments. The freemium model is generally viewed favorably, though the distinction between free and paid features can be unclear to new users.

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