List of the Top 6 Code Editors for Chromebook in 2026

Apache NetBeans is a robust open-source Integrated Development Environment (IDE) that facilitates application development across various programming languages, including Java, JavaScript, PHP, HTML5, and C/C++. Known for its modular architecture, NetBeans offers developers an array of tools and functionalities tailored for crafting desktop, mobile, and web applications. It features sophisticated code editing, debugging, and profiling capabilities, along with an integrated visual GUI builder that streamlines the design of user interfaces specifically for Java applications. Furthermore, the IDE integrates effortlessly with version control systems such as Git, SVN, and Mercurial, thereby fostering collaboration within development teams. As a project under the auspices of the Apache Software Foundation, NetBeans undergoes continuous enhancement by a committed community, ensuring its capabilities remain current and effective. This ongoing development makes NetBeans not only a reliable tool but also a highly flexible option for developers in various sectors. The combination of its comprehensive features and strong community support enables NetBeans to appeal to both beginners and experienced developers, who appreciate its versatility and user-friendly design. Ultimately, the IDE's commitment to innovation ensures it remains a relevant choice in the ever-evolving landscape of software development.

Caret brings exceptional text editing features to Chrome OS by utilizing the powerful Ace editing component. This innovation allows users to avoid the complexities of installing a different operating system just to find a competent editor specifically designed for managing local files, making it especially useful for developers. With Caret, you gain access to syntax highlighting for a wide array of programming languages, as well as a selection of standard themes inspired by Ace, including visual styles that echo popular editors like Eclipse, XCode, and Chrome Dev Tools. Once you've tasted the convenience of executing various edits with just a few keystrokes, reverting back to a single cursor interface can feel nearly impossible. The application not only accommodates multiple cursors and selections but also incorporates familiar Sublime keybindings, such as Ctrl-D for selecting the next occurrence. Instead of spending valuable time memorizing shortcuts, the command palette (Ctrl-Shift-P) lets you begin typing your desired command, prompting Caret to perform a fuzzy search through its menu, effortlessly locating and executing the command for you. Consequently, this allows you to focus entirely on your coding tasks without the distraction of reaching for the mouse, thereby significantly boosting your productivity. With each feature meticulously designed to streamline your workflow, Caret positions itself as an indispensable tool for any serious developer on Chrome OS.

CodeSandbox is designed to simplify the process of expressing and validating your coding ideas while eliminating the complexities associated with setting up development environments and sharing projects. The platform has garnered over 4 million monthly users, including notable organizations such as Shopify and Atlassian, and since its inception, more than 35 million applications have been developed by creators. It plays a vital role in numerous open-source projects, including popular frameworks like React, Vue, and Babel. Users can easily invite friends or team members to collaborate or view their projects through a simple URL, and they have access to over 1 million packages to build robust applications efficiently. Additionally, developers can import and execute repositories straight from GitHub or select from a variety of templates to get started in no time. Furthermore, Boxy, the AI-driven coding assistant from CodeSandbox, is now accessible to all users with Pro subscriptions, enhancing the coding experience even further. This combination of features positions CodeSandbox as a leading tool in the future of web development.

Code::Blocks is a free and open-source Integrated Development Environment (IDE) that operates on multiple platforms, primarily designed for developers who work with C, C++, and Fortran programming languages. It is celebrated for its lightweight structure and modular design, offering a user-friendly interface that accommodates various compilers, including GCC, Clang, and Microsoft Visual C++. The IDE features an intuitive layout that incorporates essential tools such as syntax highlighting, code folding, auto-completion, and a robust debugging environment that facilitates breakpoints, variable inspection, and call stack tracing. Furthermore, Code::Blocks allows for significant customization through plugins, granting developers the ability to incorporate additional functionalities like version control, scripting, and custom build systems. This combination of being lightweight, adaptable, and cross-platform makes it an ideal choice for students, educators, and developers involved in small to medium-sized C/C++ projects. With its versatility, Code::Blocks stands out as a valuable resource that meets diverse programming requirements, making it an excellent addition to any developer's toolkit.

Eclipse Theia enables the development of multi-language IDEs for both Cloud and Desktop environments, utilizing cutting-edge web technologies. If you're uncertain about whether to opt for a desktop or web-based solution, Theia empowers you to build a single IDE that can operate seamlessly in web browsers or as a native desktop application, all from one codebase. Managed by the Eclipse Foundation, a non-profit organization, Theia is cultivated by a wide-ranging community of contributors. Unlike many other open-source projects, those hosted under an Open-Source Foundation enjoy protection from unilateral vendor decisions that could negatively impact the interests of the community. Theia's modular architecture permits users to tailor and enhance every facet of the IDE. Creating a customized IDE-like product is straightforward; you just need to specify the necessary extensions in a package.json file. Adding new features is also a breeze, as you can implement your extensions with ease, providing you with unparalleled flexibility in your development process. This adaptability makes it an excellent choice for developers looking to innovate and refine their tools.

StackBlitz WebContainers provide a groundbreaking client-side runtime that runs Node.js, package managers, and full-stack frameworks directly inside the browser. They eliminate the need for remote development servers by using the user's local CPU and memory for compute, delivering unmatched performance, security, and scalability. Through the WebContainer API, developers can boot an isolated environment, mount project files, install dependencies, and execute dev scripts exactly as they would on a local machine. This capability enables highly interactive experiences like full-stack playgrounds, live documentation, onboarding workflows, educational sandboxes, and AI-native IDEs that operate entirely in-browser. WebContainers support all major frameworks, Wasm workloads, and modern browsers including Chromium, Firefox, and Safari Technology Preview. They provide native support for npm, pnpm, and yarn, enabling realistic, production-grade workflows in disposable environments. Because execution happens on-device, teams drastically reduce infrastructure costs while delivering fast, low-latency development experiences. The API is designed for reliability, making it easy to create branded, custom editors or integrate with existing apps. Leading companies and open-source maintainers rely on WebContainers for secure, interactive environments that accelerate shipping and improve developer experience. As the backbone of StackBlitz's own platform, WebContainers are continuously refined and production-proven, offering a future-ready foundation for web-based development tools.