7 Excellent Free Rich-Text Editors

Key Takeaways

Froala, Kupu, XStandard, openWYSIWYG, WYMeditor, FreeTextBox, and markItUp! are excellent free rich-text editors with unique features such as real-time editing, easy integration, standards-compliant markup, and more.
When choosing a free rich-text editor, key features to consider include a user-friendly interface, a wide range of text formatting options, the ability to insert images and tables, undo and redo actions, spell check functionality, and the option to switch between WYSIWYG and HTML view.
Free rich-text editors may have limitations compared to paid versions, including less customization options, fewer advanced features, and less technical support. Additionally, the security of these editors can vary, with some potentially storing your content on their servers. Always review the privacy policy and security measures before using a rich-text editor.

Rich-text editors, also known as online rich-text editors, are web components that allow users to edit and enter text within a web browser. They are essentially web-based WYSIWYG (“what you see is what you get”) editors. There are many rich-text editors out there and what could be better than having a lot of choices? In this article, we present 10 exceptional (and free) rich-text editors. Have fun!

1. Froala

Froala’s WYSIWYG Editor (sponsored) is a beautiful, lightweight, mobile first JavaScript web editor that’s easy to integrate for developers. It is a real-time editor, enabling users to quickly create clean and valid HTML code. A free trial is offered.

Screenshot of Froala's free text editor

Demo

2. Kupu

Is an open source “document-centered” client-side rich-text editor released by the international association for Open Source Content Management (OSCOM). It features easy integration into a variety of content management systems including Silva and Plone, easy customization and extension, and Ajax saving for an uninterrupted user experience.

Source
Demo

3. XStandard

Is a highly-standards-compliant rich-text editor. It comes in two versions: XStandard Lite – which is completely free, and XStandard Pro. XStandard Lite has Microsoft Word text cleanup, spellchecking, and the ability to interact with third-party applications.

Source + Demo

4. openWYSIWYG

Is a free and feature-packed web-based content editor that’s perfect for a host of content management systems. It has a very intuitive “table creation” feature to help users construct HTML tables.

Source
Demo

5. WYMeditor

Is a web-based HTML editor that emphasizes the use of standards-compliant markup. It was developed to output compliant HTML 4.01 Strict Doctype HTML, so it’s the perfect solution for the standards-aware developer.

Source
Demo

6. FreeTextBox

A robust, fully-featured, and extremely popular rich-text editor for ASP.NET. It has a built-in image gallery, a helpful JavaScript API for customization, and a full list of editing controls for constructing tables, ordered/unordered lists, and even spellchecking (using the IE spellchecking engine).

Source
Demo

7. markItUp!

Is a JavaScript-based markup editor built on top of the jQuery library. With markItUp!, you can easily turn any HTML textarea into a fully-featured WYSIWYG editor. It’s lightweight (the script weighs in at only 6.5kb), supports keyboard shortcuts, has a built-in Ajax live preview and many more features that make markItUp! an excellent choice

Source
Demo

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Free Rich Text Editors

What are the key features to look for in a free rich text editor?

When choosing a free rich text editor, there are several key features to consider. Firstly, it should have a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate. Secondly, it should support a wide range of text formatting options such as bold, italics, underline, strikethrough, subscript, superscript, and more. Thirdly, it should allow for easy insertion of images, tables, and links. Other important features include the ability to undo and redo actions, spell check functionality, and the option to switch between WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) and HTML view. Some advanced rich text editors also offer features like code syntax highlighting, auto-save functionality, and the ability to export content in various formats.

Are there any limitations to using free rich text editors?

While free rich text editors offer a range of features, they may have some limitations compared to their paid counterparts. These could include limited customization options, fewer advanced features, and less technical support. Some free editors may also include watermarks on your content or have usage restrictions. It’s important to carefully review the features and limitations of a free rich text editor before choosing one for your needs.

How secure are free rich text editors?

The security of free rich text editors can vary. Some editors may store your content on their servers, which could potentially be accessed by unauthorized individuals. Others may not offer encryption or other security features. It’s important to review the privacy policy and security measures of any rich text editor before using it. If security is a major concern, you may want to consider a paid editor that offers advanced security features.

Can I use a free rich text editor for commercial purposes?

This depends on the specific terms and conditions of the rich text editor. Some free editors may allow for commercial use, while others may restrict it. It’s important to carefully review the terms of use before using a free rich text editor for commercial purposes.

How do I choose the best free rich text editor for my needs?

When choosing a free rich text editor, consider your specific needs and requirements. If you need a simple editor for basic text formatting, a basic editor may suffice. However, if you need more advanced features like code syntax highlighting or the ability to export content in various formats, you may need to consider a more advanced editor. It’s also important to consider factors like user-friendliness, security, and support when making your decision.

Can I customize the interface of a free rich text editor?

Some free rich text editors allow for interface customization, while others do not. Customization options could include changing the layout, color scheme, and button arrangement. If customization is important to you, be sure to choose an editor that offers this feature.

Do free rich text editors support multiple languages?

Many free rich text editors support multiple languages, but this can vary between different editors. If you need to work in a specific language, make sure to choose an editor that supports it.

Can I use a free rich text editor offline?

Some free rich text editors can be used offline, while others require an internet connection. If you need to work offline, be sure to choose an editor that supports this.

Do free rich text editors support collaboration?

Some free rich text editors support collaboration, allowing multiple users to work on the same document simultaneously. This can be a useful feature for team projects. However, not all editors offer this feature, so if collaboration is important to you, make sure to choose an editor that supports it.

Can I use a free rich text editor on multiple devices?

Many free rich text editors are web-based, meaning you can use them on any device with an internet connection. However, some editors may have specific system requirements or may not work as well on certain devices. If you need to use an editor on multiple devices, make sure to choose one that supports this.