Top 10 IDEs for Node.JS development

In the world of software application development, Node.js has been a great influence in developing real-time, robust applications. The creation of effective apps calls for total control over code with accurate code debugging and editing tools. And that is where the concept of implementing an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) comes into place.

Some IDEs are meant for a particular language whereas some cater to more. There are many Node.js IDEs that assist in modern app development and this article focuses on choosing the apt one for you.

* Node.js is an open-source runtime built on Chrome's V8 JavaScript engine. As an asynchronous event-driven runtime, Node.js is designed to build scalable network applications. Node JS has been an integral part of the MEAN stack and the MERN stack.

* IDE is a software development tool that combines different software functions under one roof, one environment be it an application, framework, or service. IDE is a compiler, debugger, code editor, and build automation tool.

10 popular IDEs for Node.js

#1 Intellij IDEA

Through the app development environment, it offers a lot of functionalities that help you focus on the coding part rather than other activities. It can best be used for Node.js, Angular.js, React, JavaScript, etc. It is developed using Kotlin and Java.

Developers must integrate a Node.js plug-in with IntelliJ IDEA for creating a Node.js application. With this, key features like syntax highlighting, code completion, and assistance will be utilized. It offers good version control, an inline debugger, and smart code completion.

Key features:

1. Multiple framework support
2. An integrated environment for text editor
3. Test runner and coverage
4. Compilation and execution directly from IDE

#2 Visual Studio Code

Developed by Microsoft, Visual Studio Code is light weighted and robust code editor that is liked by developers as a Node.js IDE. There is inbuilt support for Node.js and JavaScript and it executes well on most systems like Windows, macOS, and Linux.

There are powerful plug-ins and extensions available for support languages like C++, PHP, Java, etc. It is a free editor for developers to create code that assists in debugging. There are simple snippets of code that can be accessed by developers.

Key features:

1. Git integration and inbuilt command-line interface
2. Zen mode and split view
3. Inbuilt terminal and command line
4. Editing from your own workspace

#3 Atom IDE

Atom IDE is a well-known Node.js IDE with an open-source editor that works on almost all popular OS. It is designed with HTML, JavaScript, Node.js, and CSS. It empowers developers to work directly with Git and GitHub.

Atom is a text editor with modern code completion competencies. There are many types of syntax-based themes that are customizable. Its inception relies on the Electron framework, which assists developers in creating cross-platform programs with popular web technologies.

Key features:

1. Inbuilt package manager
2. File system browser
3. Tool for searching and replacing items
4. Intelligent and automatic code completion

#4 Eclipse Che

Eclipse Che is a modern-day Node.js IDE that relies on a developer workspace server and cloud-based JS IDE. It is a centralized developer environment running on Kubernetes or OpenShift.

It accelerates project and developer onboarding, removes inconsistency between developer environments, and offers integral security and enterprise ease. It is ideal for enterprises where everyone works on a single code. It is a browser-dependent IDE too. It has the competence to create robust mainframe applications.

Key features:

1. Git and Maven integration
2. Rapid swapping of IDE with same code
3. IoT application development
4. Support for cloud-native app development

#5 Cloud9

Cloud9 is a free, cloud-based, powerful Node.js IDE that empowers developers in creating applications that make the best use of JS frameworks like Meteor, NodeJS, etc. It is considered one of the popular online code editors and debuggers that possess robust features like key binding editor, image editor, etc.

It is leveraged for cloud-based applications, Node.js app development, PHP development, etc. The best part is that you can do code development without a server and get a preview of the application.

Key features:

1. Inbuilt terminal and debugger
2. Serverless development
3. Wide variety of running configurations
4. Collaborative functionality for editing

#6 WebMatrix

WebMatrix is a cloud-based, free, light-weighted IDE for NodeJS app development. It assists in a faster web development environment. It possesses capabilities of easy development and customization of websites on the Internet.

It has a single-click site publish feature. Developed by Microsoft, it is available to only Windows developers and offers good support for web development. It has code editors with an integrated user interface and inbuilt Node.js templates.

Key features:

1. Fast installation and variety of templates
2. Supports free and open-source apps like WordPress etc.
3. Easily performs common tasks with HTML and database tools
4. A premier and advanced IDE for Node.js apps

#7 Sublime Text

Sublime Text is a robust and configurable Node.js editor that has a strong and flexible UI toolkit. It offers strengthening of codes, writing markups, and prose. There are many strong features that it offers – split editing, fast project switching, etc.

There is a provision for choosing multiple selection options for faster file manipulation that offers great performance in customizing everything with JSON files. It is created with the use of customized components that offer the best of responsiveness.

Key features:

1. Cross-platform with split editing
2. Strong and robust package ecosystem
3. Support for major editing tools
4. Auto indentation

#8 Komodo

Komodo is a popular, cross-platform IDE that offers good support for known languages like Ruby, Node.js, JS, Ruby, Perl, PHP, etc. It assists developers in executing commands, creation of customized configurations, tracking changes, and using shortcuts.

It offers code collaboration for muti user editing, and profiling for Python and PHP code, and boosts the code intelligence level. It also has a customized user interface, refactoring, and many accessible add-on components.

Key features:

1. Version management
2. Graphical debugging
3. Syntax highlighting
4. Markdown and DOM viewer

#9 Koding

Koding is a cloud-based IDE that is ideal for different languages like MySQL, Ruby, NodeJS, etc. It offers good support for the multi cursor facility that helps developers in amending similar changes simultaneously. It is open source and has the competence to make use of multiple languages for scripting. Koding offers a code preview facility and your own workspace.

Key features:

1. Deployment of multiple virtual machines
2. Syntax highlighting
3. Collapsible panes
4. Code folding and preview with an inbuilt browser

#10 Aptana

Aptana is a known name as a Node.js IDE that supports multiple languages and can be utilized for designing and testing applications in the same environment. It is a flexible IDE that helps in adding breakpoints in scripts for controlling the project implementation. It is an Eclipse based IDE and ideal for web application development. It has an incorporated debugger and delights Node.js developers with its features.

Key features:

1. Coding in HTML, CSS, JavaScript
2. Compilation and testing in a single environment
3. Git integration in terminal
4. Seamless integration with Heroku

Winding up

Node.js app development has been a developer’s delight thanks to its salient features mentioned in this article. The number of popular Node.js IDEs is increasing, taking its popularity to higher levels. Developers are so happy with the fast and effective development approach that it offers, especially with the support of these IDEs. Use the Node.js IDEs to enjoy a wonderful development experience!