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.
Nova
Nova is a fast and flexible native code editor for macOS that provides a powerful environment for web development with built-in debugging, integrated terminal, and extensive extension support.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | TextMate | Nova |
|---|---|---|
| Website | macromates.com | panic.com |
| Pricing Model | One_time | One_time |
| Starting Price | $99/month | $99/month |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 30 days free trial | ✓ 30 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 | 1997 |
| Headquarters | Copenhagen, Denmark | Portland, USA |
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.
Nova
Nova is a native macOS code editor built from the ground up to be fast, modern, and reliable. You can handle complex web development projects with ease using its intelligent autocomplete, multiple cursors, and robust search-and-replace tools. It feels right at home on your Mac because it uses standard macOS interface elements, ensuring a smooth and responsive experience that doesn't drain your battery like cross-platform editors might.
You can manage your entire development workflow without leaving the app thanks to built-in tools for file transfers, terminal access, and task automation. Whether you are building a simple website or a complex web application, Nova provides the environment you need to write clean code quickly. It is specifically designed for Mac users who value performance and a polished, integrated user interface.
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.
Nova Features
- Smart Autocomplete. Write code faster with intelligent suggestions for multiple languages, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and TypeScript.
- Built-in Debugging. Debug your JavaScript, PHP, and Python code directly within the editor to find and fix errors quickly.
- Integrated Terminal. Access your command line without switching apps using the fast, built-in terminal that supports tabs and themes.
- Remote File Management. Connect to your servers via FTP, SFTP, or WebDAV to edit and sync files directly on remote environments.
- Task Pipeline. Automate your build processes and scripts with a powerful task system that runs your custom workflows.
- Extension Library. Add support for new languages and tools by browsing a rich library of community-created extensions.
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
Nova Pricing
- One-time $99 purchase
- One year of free updates
- Permanent use of purchased version
- Native macOS performance
- All built-in tools included
- Everything in New License, plus:
- Discounted $49 renewal price
- Additional year of feature updates
- Latest security patches
- Newest API support
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
Nova
Pros
- Native macOS app provides exceptional speed and responsiveness
- Beautiful, polished interface that follows Apple design standards
- Excellent built-in support for remote server file editing
- Lower battery impact compared to Electron-based editors
- Simple one-time purchase price instead of monthly subscriptions
Cons
- Exclusively available for macOS users only
- Smaller extension ecosystem than VS Code
- Requires paid renewal for ongoing feature updates