Looking to translate text into styled and rich content? Read this review to compare the top and best Rich Text Editors and select the one that is best suited for your requirement:
Rich text editors are basically software that affords its users the privilege of creating, editing, and formatting text. What really distinguishes it from other traditional text editors is the fact that it doesn’t expect its users to be technically proficient. You don’t need CSS or HTML knowledge to edit the text using this software.
Thanks to the convenience they offer, Rich Text Editors are quite famous nowadays. They are widely used in online shopping platforms, content management systems, community forums, and more. In CMS, for instance, one can use a rich text editor to edit and format blog posts or articles before they are published.
Today’s tools have also advanced quite a bit. You’ll find many such editors that also allow you to embed images, videos, and other forms of multimedia content. If you are looking for a similar tool to integrate with your CMS or online shopping platform, a few from the list below are bound to serve you excellently.
Table of Contents:
Rich Text Editors – Complete Review
After thorough research and hands-on experience, we would like to use this article to recommend top tools that are the best Rich Text Editors available in the market today.
Market Trends: According to a 2022 survey trying to uncover popular trends concerning RTEs, it was found that the most prominent use case of a rich text editor was for content management systems. This is followed closely by workflow, business processes, CRMs, Productivity tools, etc.
Expert Advice:
- First and foremost, make sure the software has a clean and user-friendly interface.
- The software must be highly configurable. It should be easy to add or remove certain tools from the editing menu.
- The design should be responsive so the editor looks good on both mobile and desktop devices.
- The software should come with strong security editing features.
- The ability to embed images, videos, and multimedia content is a huge plus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q #1) What is a Rich Text Editor?
Answer: As mentioned before, a rich text editor is a tool that allows you to create, edit, and format text, images, links, and other components on a web page without any knowledge of coding. You don’t need to have in-depth insight into CSS or HTML to use this software.
Rich Text Editors are popularly integrated with CMS platforms, messaging systems, eCommerce platforms, etc.
Q #2) What is the best Rich Text Editor?
Answer: There are many good rich text editors out there. As such, it can become challenging to find software that best suits your particular requirements.
The following tools are definitely some of the best rich text editors you can try:
- Froala
- TinyMCE
- CKEditor
- Quill
- Summernote
Q #3) What are the advantages of using a rich text editor?
Answer: There are many benefits to using a rich text editor, most of which can be attributed to the tool’s unique features. Its most prominent benefit is the privilege it offers users to create and edit text without knowing any coding knowledge. The software can use editors a lot of time and boost their productivity.
Other benefits include:
- Built-in spell check
- Thesaurus and Hyperlink checking
- Built-in source code editing
- High flexibility as the tool can be changed to cater to a variety of different use cases.
Q #4) What is rich text in HTML?
Answer: Rich text is a subset of the tags that are used to format HTML pages. Rich text in HTML can be used to format text consisting of numerous user language dialog objects. If the first line in the text contains tags, then know that it is rich text.
Q #5) How do rich text editors work?
Answer: Basically, a rich text editor can translate text into styled and rich content. Whenever you type something into a rich text editor and select a specific type of formatting and style, the editor will automatically translate the fed style into a code of your choice.
List of the Best Rich Text Editors
Here is a popular list:
- Froala Editor (Recommended)
- HubSpot
- TinyMCE
- CKEditor
- Quill
- Summernote
- Adobe Dreamweaver
- NicEdit
- Editor.js
- FreeTextBox
Comparing Some of the Top Rich Text Editors
Name | Best for | Platform | Free Plan | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|
Froala Editor | Easy integration and highly customizable | Web-Based | Free trial with limited features available | Starts at $299/year |
HubSpot | Drag and drop module | Web-based, Android, iOS | Free forever | Starts at $18/month |
TinyMCE | Open Sourced License | Web-based | Free forever | Starts at $45/month |
CKEditor | Versatile Application | Mac, Linux, Web, Windows, Chromebook | -- | Contact for quote |
Quill | API Driven Rich Text Editor | Web-based | Free | Free |
Summernote | Bootstrap Rich Text Editor | Mac, Windows, Linux | Free | Free |
Detailed reviews:
#1) Froala Editor (Recommended)
Best for easy integration and highly customizable.
Froala is undoubtedly one of the best Javascript Rich Text editors out there. The software comes with comprehensive documentation and a powerful API. This makes Froala very easy to integrate, customize and extend. Froala is also one of those rare editors that benefit from full RTL support. You can use the tool to write in Farsi, Hebrew, and Arabic as well.
Security is another area where Froala shines. The software exhibits a substantial defense mechanism against all sorts of XSS attacks. Froala is also good for SEO. It is very effective to respect HTML5 standards.
Features:
- Inline Editor
- Sticky Toolbar
- Keyboard Shortcuts
- Full-Screen Button
Pros:
- Highly customizable
- Easy integration
- User-Friendly Interface
- It’s very easy to upgrade
Cons:
- Can be expensive
Verdict: Froala benefits from a user-friendly interface, comprehensive documentation, and powerful API. The software is easy to integrate, customize and extend. There is a free trial as well, so you can take this Javascript-rich text editor on a test drive.
Price:
- Basic: $299/year
- Professional: $579/year
- Enterprise: $1299/year
- Free trial with limited features also available
#2) HubSpot
Best for drag and drop module.
HubSpot’s WYSIWYG text editor really goes all in on the no-code website-building promise. HubSpot’s HTML-rich text editor is ready to be used as soon as you launch the app. The editor is powered by a drag-and-drop module that makes the task of creating, editing, and formatting content look considerably simple.
The software also provides you with a ton of pre-designed themes, which you can use to customize your website’s look. Plus, you can preview your website’s design before you make it live.
Features:
- Drag and Drop editing interface
- Customizable templates
- Standard and custom modules available
- Free CMS tools
Pros:
- Multi-lingual support
- Optimized for mobile
- Good documentation
Cons:
- Comes as part of HubSpot’s Marketing Hub bundle
Verdict: The drag-and-drop module, customizable templates, and multi-lingual support are just a few things that make HubSpot’s rich text editor so good. Anybody can use this software to build a responsive website without any coding knowledge.
Price:
- Free Forever
- Starter: $18/month
- Professional: $800/month
#3) TinyMCE
Best for open-sourced licenses.
With TinyMCE, you get an open-sourced HTML Rich Text Editor that comes with 100 customization options, more than 50 plug-ins, and three editing modes. These modes include the classic editor, inline editor, and distraction-free editor. This makes the software highly flexible as its functionality can change as per your needs.
The software can fill up your entire screen with an editable area if you wish. The software also integrates seamlessly into websites and products. Another area where TinyMCE is the enterprise-grade support you get as a user. There is a US-based support team ready to provide you with help on demand.
Features:
- Context Menu
- Emoticons
- Import CSS
- Insert Date/Time
Pros:
- More than 37 language translations
- Open-source licenses
- Enterprise-grade support
- Three types of editing modes
Cons:
- Some users have reported compatibility issues with WordPress
Verdict: TinyMCE is a fantastic WYSWYG editor that’s feature-rich, easy to use, and integrates seamlessly with your products and websites. It stands apart from its competitors with respect to the enterprise-grade support and collaboration tools it offers.
If you are looking for a good Javascript, Bootstrap, and React Rich Text Editor, then TinyMCE is definitely for you.
Price:
- Free Forever
- Essential: $45/month
- Professional: $109/month
- Flexible custom plan
- Free trial of 14 days
Website: TinyMCE
#4) CKEditor
Best for versatile applications.
CKEditor is another HTML-rich text editor that can work on a variety of use cases. Besides rich text editing, the software also comes with impressive collaboration and file management features. The software also benefits from modern UI bolstering with a plethora of productivity features like auto-formatting, spell-check, keyboard support, etc.
Moreover, CKEditor is also very easy to configure and customize. Plus, the software also comes jam-packed with complete documentation on more than 1000 APIs. With comprehensive documentation, you also get excellent technical support.
Features:
- Spell and Grammar Check
- File Management
- Excellent Collaboration Tools
- Convert Documents into PDF or Word format
- Import content from MS Word.
Pros:
- Multi-lingual support
- Highly customizable
- Easily edit hyperlinks
- Real-time collaboration
Cons:
- Not ideal for larger user bases.
Verdict: CKEditor delivers the perfect user experience with a modern UI and tons of impressive advanced features. It is highly configurable and can easily fit the design and needs of your specific software. They are definitely one of the finest online rich text editors out there.
Price: Contact for a quote
Website: CKEditor
#5) Quill
Best for API-driven Rich Text editor.
With Quill Rich Text Editor, you get an editing interface that is free, open-sourced, and ready to use. It possesses a modular architecture and an expressive API. As such, the tool can be customized in multiple ways to cater to any need.
The software supports almost all modern browsers, regardless of whether the device is a mobile, tablet, or desktop. The software works consistently with JSON as both an input and output format. The software comes with a ton of plug-in options, which you can use to extend its functionality considerably.
Features:
- Multi-media support
- Cross-browser support
- Inline code formatting
- Toolbar editor
Pros:
- Comprehensive Documentation
- Free to use
- Image upload supported
- Keyboard shortcuts
Cons:
- Lacks certain features
Verdict: Quill makes it to my list because of its simplicity and ease of use. Quill integrates and works across platforms consistently well. Its modular design also makes the software highly flexible in a bid to cater to a wide range of use cases.
Price: Free
Website: Quill
#6) Summernote
Best for Bootstrap Rich Text editor.
Summernote is a simple rich text editor that supports bootstrap. It comes with an easy-to-use online WYSIWYG editor, with the help of which you can create, edit, and format text. You also have the ability to add images, videos, and links to your text.
Summernote also integrates seamlessly with most back-end 3rd parties that are available in Angular, Rails, and Django.
Features:
- Multiple Editors
- Air Mode
- Bootstraps theme
- Custom SVG icons
Pros:
- Easy installation
- Highly customizable
- Open source
- Cross-compatible
Cons:
- Needs better customer support
Verdict: Summernote is easy to install, customize and support Bootstrap. The software is lightweight and works with all major browsers and operating systems.
Price: Free to use
Website: Summernote
#7) Adobe Dreamweaver
Best for web development.
With Adobe Dreamweaver, you get a powerful code editor that can handle XML, Javascript, CSS, PHP, XHTML, and JSP development. The software stands out because of its multi-screen preview panel. These advanced layout features make Adobe Dreamweaver compatible with the screen sizes of multiple devices.
Furthermore, you get a clutter-free interface with a workspace that can be customized based on your needs.
Features:
- Multi-Monitor support for Windows
- Live view editing
- Git support
- Monaki and Classic code themes supported
Pros:
- Customizable templates
- Smart coding engine
- Fluid Grid Layout
Cons:
- Only suitable for professional web developers and designers.
Verdict: Adobe Dreamweaver was tailor-made to make the lives of professional web developers and designers easy. The clutter-free interface and customizable templates alone are enough for it to earn a space on my list.
Price: Starts at $20.99 per month. It offers a free trial for 7 days.
Website: Adobe Dreamweaver
#8) NicEdit
Best for cross-platform compatibility.
NicEdit is a WYSIWYG text editor made for editing and formatting website content. Its major USP is its lightweight nature and cross-platform compatibility. The software can integrate with any site without any hassle. Upon integration, the software can convert standard text areas of your website into sections eligible for rich text editing.
Features:
- Inline Editor
- Cross-platform Support
- Javascript Integration
- Multi-browser support
Pros:
- Free to use
- Lightweight
- Customizable
Cons:
- No support is provided as the software isn’t in development anymore.
Verdict: The software isn’t currently being developed anymore. However, it still works and is free to use. This is precisely why it made it to the list. If you are looking for a lightweight tool for simple, rich text editing, then NicEdit is for you.
Price: Free to use
Website: NicEdit
#9) Editor.js
Best for open-sourced licenses.
Editor.js is yet another open-source rich text editor. The software first allows you to edit blocks of content, which you can then reorder as per your preference. The software affords you the convenience of click-and-editing. Simply click on the block of text you wish to edit. Upon clicking, you’ll be presented with an option to edit.
The software is also known for returning clean data in JSON output format. This basically means that you can do a lot more with the data at your disposal. You can create with HTML for web clients create the markup for Facebook, or render natively for mobile apps.
Features:
- Powered by CodeX
- Clean UI
- API Driven
- Clean JSON Output
Pros:
- Free to use
- Customizable
- A plethora of plugin options provided
Cons:
- Not suitable for advanced editors
Verdict: Editor.js is a rich text editor that was specifically designed to be used by beginners. It has a clean UI, is free to use, and benefits from being customizable out of the box.
Price: Free
Website: Editor.js
#10) FreeTextBox
Best for free to use and download.
FreeTextBox is different from all the other tools mentioned on this list. This is because it is the only rich text editor here that was developed using the ASP.NET framework.
The software can easily be downloaded and installed for free as it is no longer in active development. Despite basic documentation, the tool benefits from a few key features essential for text editing.
Features:
- Single DLL Distribution
- IE Spell Check
- Font Faces Menu
- Style Sheet Support
Pros:
- Multi-Browser Support
- Drag and Drop Interface
- Complete Javascript API
Cons:
- No support
Verdict: Both FreeTextBox’s source and control are free to download and use. It’s rich in features to facilitate a convenient editing experience. However, don’t expect any form of support as the software is no longer under development.
Price: Free to use
Website: FreeTextBox
Conclusion
Rich Text Editors take the hassle out of website development as you get to create, edit, and format text with no prior HTML, CSS, or coding language in general. These sorts of tools are ideal for business owners who wish to build a website without having to pay a hefty sum to a professional developer or designer.
There is no shortage of good Rich Text Editors out there that integrate seamlessly with 3rd party apps available in HTML, Angular, Javascript, and React JS. With due diligence, it is easy to find the perfect software for you… whether it is an HTML5 Rich Text Editor or a React.js Rich Text Editor.
All the tools recommended above have proven their mettle in the market and are widely respected by their user base.
We suggest you go with Froala or TinyMCE as they are easy to implement, highly customizable, and feature comprehensive documentation.
Suggested Reading => Top Text Editors for Windows and Mac
Research Process:
- We spent 16 hours researching and writing this article so you can have summarized and insightful information on which Rich Text Editor will best suit you.
- Total Rich Text Editors Researched: 32
- Total Rich Text Editors Shortlisted: 10