I’m looking for a privacy-focused code editor that can handle HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. I am just learning how to code, so I need something that works for beginners as well as respecting my privacy. I have looked around, but I don’t know which one is the best option.
Geany is a great, lightweight FOSS editor that totally respects your privacy, and supports all if the languages you mentioned, plus many more.
You can use VSCodium, it’s VSCode without Microsoft telemetry
pluma is good. i used it until switching to vim/emacs https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pluma_(text_editor)
I would check out Lapce and CudaText. They are both solid editors. If you are comfortable in the terminal, then nvim as well, of course.
vim
WTF is a “privacy-focused code editor?” They’re just glorified text editors! They run locally! They don’t connect to the Internet at all! How would they be anything other than “privacy-focused” by default? Why is this even a question?!
I fucking hate this timeline.
Anyway, to answer your question: emacs, obviously. Or vim if you’re evil, I suppose. Or just whatever the Hell you want, because if your editor even has “terms of service” or a “privacy policy” of any kind something has already gone horribly wrong.
I fucking hate this timeline.
my first thought as well…how did we get to the point that this is a valid topic?
(not a comment about you OP, just the state of the world)
VSCodium
If you’re just writing those languages, here are my picks:
For Linux and Unix:
- Xed (just called “Text Editor” in the menu)
- Geany
- Notepadqq
- Micro (terminal, but very friendly)
- Nano (also terminal, also friendly)
For Windows:
- Notepad++
- VSCodium
For macOS:
- Micro
- Nano
- VSCodium
i like Pulsar





