TextMate
TextMate is a professional text editor for macOS that bridges the gap between traditional code editors and desktop publishing by providing a highly customizable, keyboard-centric environment for developers.
Sublime Text
Sublime Text is a sophisticated text editor for code, markup, and prose that provides a fast, fluid interface with powerful features like split editing and lightning-fast project switching.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | TextMate | Sublime Text |
|---|---|---|
| Website | macromates.com | sublimetext.com |
| Pricing Model | One_time | One_time |
| Starting Price | $99/month | $99/month |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 30 days free trial | ✓ 0 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✘ No product demo | ✘ No product demo |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2004 | 2008 |
| Headquarters | Copenhagen, Denmark | Sydney, Australia |
Overview
TextMate
TextMate brings the power of the UNIX command line to a sleek, native macOS interface. You can handle everything from simple note-taking to complex programming tasks across dozens of different languages. It uses a unique system of 'bundles' that allow you to automate repetitive tasks and customize how the editor reacts to specific file types, making it feel like a tool built specifically for your personal workflow.
You can manage large projects easily with a file browser that stays out of your way until you need it. The editor focuses on speed and efficiency, offering features like multiple carets for batch editing and highly flexible search-and-replace functions. Whether you are writing a blog post in Markdown or debugging a Ruby script, you get a clean environment that adapts to your needs without the bloat of a full IDE.
Sublime Text
Sublime Text is a high-performance text editor designed to help you write code and prose without the lag of traditional environments. You can jump to symbols, lines, or files instantly using the Goto Anything shortcut, making navigation through large projects effortless. The interface stays out of your way, allowing you to focus entirely on your content while keeping powerful tools just a keystroke away.
You can customize every aspect of your experience, from key bindings and menus to snippets and macros, using simple JSON files. It handles massive files and complex projects with ease thanks to its custom UI toolkit and hardware-accelerated rendering. Whether you are a software engineer, web developer, or writer, you get a consistent, distraction-free environment across macOS, Windows, and Linux.
Overview
TextMate Features
- Multiple Carets Make multiple changes at once by placing several cursors throughout your document to edit repetitive code blocks simultaneously.
- Language Bundles Automate your workflow with specialized bundles for dozens of languages that provide syntax highlighting, snippets, and custom commands.
- Scoped Snippets Create custom code snippets that only trigger within specific contexts, like inside an HTML tag or a Python function.
- Version Control Integration Manage your code changes directly within the editor using built-in support for Git, Subversion, and other popular versioning systems.
- Column Selection Select and edit vertical columns of text easily, which is perfect for formatting data tables or cleaning up indented lists.
- Shell Integration Run terminal commands directly from your editor and pipe the output back into your document for instant processing.
Sublime Text Features
- GPU Rendering. Enjoy a fluid user interface up to 4K resolution while using less power thanks to hardware-accelerated rendering.
- Multiple Selections. Change ten lines at once rather than one line ten times by manipulating multiple cursors simultaneously.
- Context-Aware Autocomplete. Get smarter suggestions based on your existing code, including links to definitions and project-wide references.
- Split Editing. Maximize your widescreen monitor by editing files side-by-side or managing multiple rows and columns of code.
- Goto Anything. Open files and jump to specific symbols or lines instantly with just a few quick keystrokes.
- Python API. Extend your editor's functionality by installing thousands of community-built packages or writing your own Python scripts.
Pricing Comparison
TextMate Pricing
- One-time purchase for ~€48
- Permanent access to the editor
- Access to all language bundles
- Free updates for version 2.x
- Install on multiple personal Macs
- Free to download via GitHub
- Requires manual compilation
- Full access to source code
- Community-driven updates
- No official support included
Sublime Text Pricing
- One-time $99 payment
- Valid for 3 years of updates
- Use on all your personal computers
- Cross-platform (Mac, Windows, Linux)
- No enforced time limit for evaluation
- Annual subscription per user
- Volume discounts available
- Centralized license management
- Transferable between employees
- Continuous access to all updates
Pros & Cons
TextMate
Pros
- Extremely fast and lightweight on macOS hardware
- Highly customizable through the bundle editor system
- Native Mac interface feels fluid and responsive
- Powerful search and replace with regular expressions
Cons
- Exclusively available for macOS users only
- Interface can feel dated compared to modern IDEs
- Steep learning curve for creating custom bundles
Sublime Text
Pros
- Extremely fast startup and file loading speeds
- Minimalist interface maximizes your screen real estate
- Powerful command palette reduces reliance on mouse
- Extensive library of community-created plugins and themes
Cons
- Steep learning curve for advanced keyboard shortcuts
- Occasional purchase reminders during the evaluation period
- Lacks some built-in debugging tools found in IDEs