Best Lightweight Text Editor Apps

202+ iOS apps curated and reviewed

4.4 avg rating
18 free apps
Updated June 2026

From beginner-friendly picks to power-user tools, our lightweight text editor list covers 202+ iPhone apps updated through June 2026. Compare ratings, prices, and screenshots in one place.

Top Picks for Lightweight Text Editor

Textastic Code Editor#2

Textastic Code Editor by Alexander Blach

Text, Coding, SFTP Client, SSH
Strong Contender
🛠️ Developer Tools
4.7😊(2.4K ratings)
FreeIn-App Purchases
#9in Developer Tools
Textastic Code Editor screenshot 1
Textastic Code Editor screenshot 2
Textastic Code Editor screenshot 3
Textastic Code Editor screenshot 4
Textastic Code Editor screenshot 5
Textastic Code Editor screenshot 6

A powerful text and code editor for mobile devices, offering syntax highlighting for over 80 languages, code completion, and formatting tools. It allows connection to various servers and cloud storage for seamless file management and editing.

What We Love

  • 🚀 Highly performant
  • 👍 Versatile and feature-rich
  • 💡 Excellent integration with other apps (e.g. Working Copy)
  • 👍 Customizable and intuitive UI

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes or freezes
  • 🔒 Restrictive paywall for basic functionality
  • 👎 Confusing file management and upload/download workflow

More Lightweight Text Editor apps to explore

4
Text Editor.
Text Editor.
Text Editor.
A must have text editor
Free

A versatile text editor for managing files on your device and in the cloud. Supports various text formats, rich text editing, and custom fonts. Offers cloud integration and sharing capabilities.

Browse and edit cloud filesSupports TXT, RTF, HTML, CSS, JSRich text editing
🛠️ Developer Tools
(4.2K)
freemium
5
Text on Photo Lite
Text on Photo Lite
Text on Photo Lite
Decorated texts on a photo !
Free

Easily add decorated text to your photos. Customize fonts, colors, shadows, and outlines. Add multiple text elements to a single image and resize, rotate, or move them as needed.

Add multiple textsVariety of fontsText outlines
📷 Photo & Video
(6.7K)
ad-supported
6
Npp - Lightweight Text Editor
Npp - Lightweight Text Editor
Npp - Lightweight Text Editor
Editor with Tabs persistence
Free
🛠️ Developer Tools
(0)
7
Drafts
Drafts
Drafts
Where text starts
Free

Quickly capture text and send it to other apps with this versatile writing tool. It functions as a notebook, editor, and automation tool, allowing for seamless integration with various services and AI LLMs. Organize, customize, and process your text efficiently across all your Apple devices.

Quick text captureSend text to other appsWriting automation tool
📊 Productivity
(11K)
freemium
8
Koder Code Editor
Koder Code Editor
Koder Code Editor
(S)FTP, Dropbox, Webdav, SSH
Free

A powerful code editor for mobile devices, offering syntax highlighting for over 80 languages, remote file access, and a built-in terminal. Perfect for developers who need to code on the go with a well-designed interface.

Syntax highlighting for 80+ languagesRemote file access (SFTP, Dropbox, WebDAV)Built-in SSH client
🛠️ Developer Tools
(9.3K)
paid
9
iEditor – Text Code Editor
iEditor – Text Code Editor
iEditor – Text Code Editor
Best source code editor
Free

A fast and simple text and source code editor for iPhone and iPad. It allows users to create, import, edit, and manage various file types with features like syntax highlighting, search/replace, and export options.

Create and import text/source code filesSyntax highlighting for C, Java, HTMLSearch and replace functionality
📊 Productivity
(179)
ad-supported
10
TextEditor : Rich Text Editor
TextEditor : Rich Text Editor
TextEditor : Rich Text Editor
Word Processor & Notes List
Free

This app provides a straightforward rich text editor for creating and editing documents on the go. It supports various file formats and offers seamless synchronization with Google Docs. Users can easily manage their saved files and enjoy a clean interface.

Rich text editingGoogle Docs synchronizationPortrait/Landscape mode
📊 Productivity
(2.8K)
ad-supported
11
TextEdit - Text Editor
TextEdit - Text Editor
TextEdit - Text Editor
TXT, RTF, Plain Text, LaTeX,MD
Free
$2.99 | 100% OFF

A fast and versatile text editor for mobile devices, offering compatibility with various file formats and editors. It provides a distraction-free writing experience with advanced formatting, organization, and sharing features.

Supports TXT, RTF, Markdown, TeX, and PDF formatsCross-device and computer syncing via iCloud/FilesDistraction-free writing interface
📊 Productivity
(362)
free with in-app purchases
12
Runestone Text Editor
Runestone Text Editor
Runestone Text Editor
Edit plain text and code
Free
$4.99 | 100% OFF

A powerful plain text and code editor for iPhone and iPad. Offers syntax highlighting, line numbers, find and replace, and extensive customization options for developers and writers.

Syntax highlighting for many languagesCustomizable themes and fontsAdvanced find and replace
🛠️ Developer Tools
(1.3K)
free with in-app purchases
13
Text editor-PWEditor
Text editor-PWEditor
Text editor-PWEditor
For source code, HTML and text
Free

This app is a powerful text editor designed for source code, HTML, and general text input on iOS devices. It offers advanced editing features like syntax highlighting, symbol pads, and undo/redo, with cloud storage integration and an optional online compiler.

Syntax highlightingSymbol input and cursor padsUndo/Redo functionality
🔧 Utilities
(113)
free with in-app purchases
14
Edhita: Text Editor
Edhita: Text Editor
Edhita: Text Editor
Open source text editing app.
Free

This open-source application provides robust text editing capabilities for iOS devices. It allows users to manage files and directories, view content in a built-in browser, and download files via HTTPS. The app also offers convenient features like an accessory view for symbol input and markdown preview.

Directory and file managementBuilt-in file browserHTTPS file downloads
🔧 Utilities
(22)
ad-supported
15
Subtext
Subtext
Subtext
Simple, elegant text editor
Free

A straightforward text editor for iPhone and iPad, allowing direct creation and editing of files within iCloud. It offers advanced controls for line endings and character encoding, ideal for on-the-go code or data file modifications.

Direct iCloud file editingNo import/export requiredLine ending control
🛠️ Developer Tools
(66)
free
16
Kodex
Kodex
Kodex
A powerful code editor
Free

An advanced code editor for iOS devices, offering desktop-class features like multi-caret editing, regex search, and syntax highlighting for over 150 languages. It integrates with the Files app and supports external keyboards for a seamless coding experience.

Multi-caret editingRegex search and replaceMinimap for navigation
🛠️ Developer Tools
(202)
free with in-app purchases
17
1Writer - Markdown Text Editor
1Writer - Markdown Text Editor
1Writer - Markdown Text Editor
Note taking, writing app
$4.99

This app is a powerful text editor for creating, revising, and sharing ideas efficiently. It supports plain text and Markdown, with advanced features like an extended keyboard, photo insertion, and custom URL actions. Sync with cloud services and personalize your writing experience.

Markdown syntax highlighting and previewExtended keyboard with custom buttonsPhoto insertion with Dropbox integration
📊 Productivity
(381)
free with in-app purchases
18
iA Writer
iA Writer
iA Writer
Get focused, enjoy writing
$19.99
$49.99 | 60% OFF

A distraction-free writing environment designed to help you focus on your words. It offers features like Focus Mode, plain text writing with HTML preview, and robust organization tools. Customize your writing experience and export to various formats.

Distraction-free writing environmentFocus Mode for enhanced concentrationPlain text writing with HTML preview
📊 Productivity
(1.5K)
paid
19
QuickEditor - Text & Code
QuickEditor - Text & Code
QuickEditor - Text & Code
Advanced Text & Code Editor.
Free

A powerful and fast text and code editor for iOS and macOS. It unifies local files, cloud storage, and remote servers in a customizable workspace with advanced editing tools and syntax highlighting.

Advanced file managerUnified global searchSyntax highlighting
📊 Productivity
(0)
free with in-app purchases
20
Python Editor App
Python Editor App
Python Editor App
Create and Run your Python 3
Free

Code and run Python 3 scripts directly on your iOS device with a feature-rich editor. Enjoy syntax highlighting, auto-indentation, code completion, and AI-powered code assistance. Optimize your workflow with multi-window support and background script execution.

Create, edit, and run Python 3 scriptsSyntax highlighting, auto-indentation, code completionAI-powered code assistant
🛠️ Developer Tools
(6.4K)
freemium

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