HTML, CSS and Javascript are plain text files. You can use simple text editors. But when you do you are more prone to errors. It is better to find a text editor that provides you with assistance in creating HTML.
The following list of popular HTML oriented text editors, most are free, provide free trial periods or have a free and paid version. They are in no particular order.
| Macintosh | Window |
| Dreamweaver1 | Dreamweaver1 |
| Brackets | Brackets |
| Coda | TextPad |
| BBEdit | Notepad++ |
| TextMate | PSPad |
| Text Wrangler | Komodo Edit |
| Sublime Text | Ultra Edit |
| Coffee Cup2 | Coffee Cup2 |
| JSBin3 • Welcome • Blank HTML file |
JSBin3 • Welcome • Blank HTML file |
| Eclipse/Aptana4 | Eclipse/Aptana4 |
| KompoZer |
1 Dreamweaver is part of Adobe Creative Suite. You may rent just Dreamweaver. You can also rent the complete Adobe Creative Suite month to month and have the advantage to try the other products. Free trials, student pricing may be available and lower priced annual subscriptions available.
2 Coffee Cup has a free and paid version.
3 JSBin is an online tool that as you type, HTML, CSS & JavaScript are automatically rendered live. You can also save your work as you work. Makes adding common Javascript libraries a snap. If anything it is an easy way to obtain Javascript library script tags such as for JQuery.
4 This is a video provided if you own and use Eclipse. Eclipse is a multi-purpose software development and not usually suited for the complete novice. The video is showing installing the Aptana plug-in for HTML, CSS and Javascript editing. Aptana is also a standalone product and was purchased by Appcelerator.