JavaScript IDE & Source Code Editors to Use - 2020

JavaScript is the popular programming language of the web. It works exceptionally well with CSS and HTML to develop powerful front-end applications. With the introduction of NodeJS, the high-level, interpreted programming languages expanded its reaches to backend development.

It led to a surge in the development of a diverse range of JavaScript frameworks, IDEs, and source code editors. An IDE is preferred over code editors due to the ability to debug code as well as providing support for ALM (Application Lifecycle Management) systems. Nonetheless, the difference between source code editors and IDEs have blurred in modern times.

Best JavaScript IDE and Source Code Editors

Though the basic functioning is the same, each JS IDE and source code editor has some distinct advantages, and disadvantages as well, over others. Here is our pick of the 14 best JavaScript IDEs and Source Code Editors to use in 2020:

1. Atom

Initial Release – February 2014

Type – Source Code Editor (Open-source)

Atom is one of the most popular source code editors used for JavaScript development. The modern code editor is flexible and highly customizable. A cross-platform tool, Atom is easy to install, offers a significant speed gain, and is completely free to use.

2. AWS Cloud9

Initial Release – 2010

Type – Cloud IDE (Proprietary)

Written completely in JavaScript and using NodeJS on the back-end, AWS Cloud9 is probably one of the best online IDEs for developing JS applications. Additionally, it supports development for C, C++, Go, Node.js, Perl, PHP, Python, and Ruby projects.

3. Brackets

Initial Release – November 2014

Type – Source Code Editor (Open-Source)

Created by Adobe Systems, Brackets is a fresh front-end development tool available under the MIT license. It is continuously rising as a leading tool choice by JS developers. The source code editor offering built-in support for JavaScript is fast and lightweight.

One of the most interesting features supported by Brackets is Live Preview. It allows seeing how the changes in code work in real-time by automatically opening a new Chrome window. The JSLint feature is responsible for verifying the JS file while it is being saved using Brackets.

4. Codeanywhere

Initial Release – May 2013

Type – Cloud IDE (Free/Premium)

Codeanywhere is a cloud-based, cross-platform IDE written in JavaScript. It allows developers to write, edit, and run web development projects directly from a web browser. In addition to JavaScript, the online IDE provides support for over 70 programming languages.

5. Eclipse

Initial Release – November 2001

Type – Java-specific IDE (Open-source)

6. IntelliJ IDEA

Initial Release – January 2001

Type – Java-specific IDE (Free edition/Commercial edition)

With a primary focus on maximizing developer productivity, IntelliJ IDEA is one of the most beloved IDEs. In addition to providing support for a number of programming languages other than Java and JS, the ergonomic design supported by the IDE offers ease-of-use.

One of the most amazing features of IntelliJ IDEA is its ability to automatically add tools that are relevant to the context. The integrated development environment offers a number of smart code assistance features for JavaScript development.

IntelliJ IDEA is capable to automate repetitive programming tasks to cut development time. The IDE offers advanced code completion, built-in static code analyzer, and integrated version control.

7. NetBeans

Initial Release – 1997

Type – Dedicated IDE for Java

Other than its popular use for Java development, NetBeans is able to provide powerful integrated development environment capabilities in favor of JavaScript. The multi-platform IDE enables application development using modules (or modular software components).

8. PhpStorm

Initial Release – 2009

Type – PHP-specific IDE (Commercial)

PhpStorm is a cross-platform IDE built on top of the IntelliJ IDEA platform. Though it is developed especially for PHP development, it has some great features to be used as a JavaScript IDE.

9. SourceLair

Initial Release – January 2011

Type – Web-based online IDE (30-day free trial/Commercial)

Written in Django, a leading Python framework, SourceLair is an online IDE. For every project created, SourceLair offers an isolated development environment. Each of the development environment is built as per the typical requirements and comes with several tools.

One of the most interesting features of SourceLair is that all projects come with a dedicated development server that is publicly accessible. This means that it is possible to share the project with clients and co-workers by simply sharing the project’s Public URL with them.

10. Sublime Text

Initial Release – January 2008

Type – Source Code Editor

The latest version of Sublime Text is SBT3, which transforms the tool from being a source code editor into a pseudo-IDE. Sublime Text is cross-platform and offers a high degree of customization.