Freedom251 › Pair Programming Software
SubEthaEdit
What SubEthaEdit is
SubEthaEdit is a free, open source plain text editor for macOS that supports collaborative work on articles, code, notes, and meeting minutes. People can collaborate over a local network, or over the internet when port forwarding is enabled and a link is shared. Document participants can receive different access permissions, and collaborators can follow one another or display selected text. Editing tools include fine-grained undo, simultaneous editing across multiple lines, split views, and regular-expression search and replace.
For web work, SubEthaEdit previews HTML and can reload the preview after referenced CSS or JavaScript files are saved. It includes syntax modes for languages and formats such as C, C++, CSS, HTML, JavaScript, JSON, Markdown, Python, Ruby, and XML. Users can customize syntax styles, and modes can provide scripts such as color pickers or linters. The app supports AppleScript and includes the `see` command-line tool for system-editor use and passing text in or out. Its maker describes it as suitable for tutoring, creative writing, and extreme programming sessions. The project is distributed under the MIT license.
Who it suits
SubEthaEdit suits macOS users who want to write or edit text collaboratively, including people doing tutoring, creative writing, or extreme programming sessions. Its syntax modes, HTML preview, and command-line tool also suit people working with code or web files.
What it does well
- Free and open source under the MIT license.
- Supports collaboration on local networks and, with setup, over the internet.
- Provides participant permissions and collaborator follow or selection views.
- Includes split views, multi-line editing, and regular-expression search.
- Previews HTML and can reload after referenced CSS or JavaScript changes.
- Supports AppleScript and includes the `see` command-line tool.
What to know first
- Available for macOS only.
- Internet collaboration requires port forwarding and a shared link.
- Version 5.0.2 is the latest version supporting OS X El Capitan 10.11.
Limits
The app is available for macOS. Version 5.0.2 is the latest version supporting OS X El Capitan 10.11; the maker points to macOS High Sierra 10.13 as the earlier-version threshold.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| SubEthaEdit | Free and open source · MIT license | Free |
As subethaedit.net lists them, read 4 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit https://subethaedit.net/.
- Use the macOS version.
- Start with the free SubEthaEdit plan.
- For internet collaboration, enable port forwarding and share a link.
Verdict
Choose SubEthaEdit if you want a free macOS text editor with collaborative editing and tools for code and web files. Its MIT license and AppleScript support may also suit users who want to customize their workflow. Internet collaboration requires port forwarding and sharing a link.
Questions
How much does SubEthaEdit cost?
The SubEthaEdit plan is free.
Is SubEthaEdit open source?
Yes. The project is distributed under the MIT license.
Which platform does SubEthaEdit support?
SubEthaEdit is available for macOS.
How does collaboration work?
People can collaborate over a local network, or over the internet when port forwarding is enabled and a link is shared.
Can participants have different access?
Yes. Document participants can be given different access permissions.
How can users get help or request a feature?
The maker directs users to create a GitHub issue or send an email.
Facts from SubEthaEdit's own pages
- Access controls
- Document participants can be given different access permissions, and collaborators can follow one another or be shown selected text. · subethaedit.net, 4 Oct 2026
- Collaboration
- People can collaborate over a local network, or over the internet when port forwarding is enabled and a link is shared. · subethaedit.net, 4 Oct 2026
- Compatibility limit
- The FAQ says version 5.0.2 is the latest version supporting OS X El Capitan 10.11; it points users to macOS High Sierra 10.13 as the earlier-version threshold. · subethaedit.net, 4 Oct 2026
- Customization
- Users can customize syntax styles, and modes can provide scripts such as color pickers or linters. · subethaedit.net, 4 Oct 2026
- Editing
- Features include fine grained undo, editing multiple lines at once, split views, and search and replace with regular expressions. · subethaedit.net, 4 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- SubEthaEdit supports AppleScript and includes the `see` command line tool for using it as a system editor and piping text in or out. · subethaedit.net, 4 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The maker describes the app as suitable for extreme programming sessions, tutoring, and creative writing. · subethaedit.net, 4 Oct 2026
- Language support
- The app ships with syntax modes for languages and formats including C, C++, CSS, HTML, JavaScript, JSON, Markdown, Python, Ruby, and XML. · subethaedit.net, 4 Oct 2026
- License
- The project is distributed under the MIT license. · subethaedit.net, 4 Oct 2026
- Preview
- The app previews HTML and can reload the preview when referenced CSS or JavaScript files are saved. · subethaedit.net, 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- SubEthaEdit is a plain text editor for writing articles, code, notes, and meeting minutes collaboratively. · subethaedit.net, 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maker directs users to create a GitHub issue or send an email if the app misbehaves or they are interested in new features. · subethaedit.net, 4 Oct 2026
Where SubEthaEdit stands on Freedom251
- Pair Programming Software#20 of 26