Modern web applications rely on rich content experiences. From dashboards to CMS platforms, you need tools to make content creation fast and reliable. That’s where the best WYSIWYG editors continue to play a key role in 2026.
WYSIWYG editors have transformed the way you create and edit content by showing you what you will get while working. They still produce clean HTML behind the scenes. For developers like you, this means fewer formatting issues, faster workflows, and better user experiences. For teams, it reduces friction between content creators and code.
In this guide, you’ll find a practical WYSIWYG editor comparison covering the tools web developers use most today. You can explore how they differ, what they’re best suited for, and how to choose the right one for your project.
Key takeaways
The best WYSIWYG editors help you build rich content experiences faster without writing raw HTML. They reduce formatting errors and improve consistency across applications.
Not all WYSIWYG editors work the same way. Some focus on simplicity, while others offer deep customization, structured content models, or headless architectures.
Modern WYSIWYG editors integrate smoothly with frameworks like React, Vue, and Angular. This makes them suitable for component-driven and scalable web apps.
Open-source and commercial editors both have strengths. Your choice depends on support needs, maintenance effort, and long-term project goals.
The right editor is the one that fits your use case. Always evaluate based on your stack, users, and how much control you need over content.
What is a WYSIWYG editor?
A WYSIWYG editor, short for What You See Is What You Get, allows you to create content in a visual interface. It automatically generates the underlying HTML. Instead of writing raw markup, you can format text, add images, and structure content the same way it will appear on the page.
This is different from plain text or code editors where you need to change HTML and CSS manually. A WYSIWYG text editor removes that complexity and reduces formatting errors.
Today, WYSIWYG editors are widely used in content management systems, web apps, form builders, and any interface where non-technical users need to create structured content.
Why web developers still use WYSIWYG editors in 2026
Web developers still rely on WYSIWYG editors because they speed up content creation without sacrificing control. Your teams can build rich content experiences quickly while avoiding repetitive HTML work. This is especially valuable in content-heavy applications.
You can integrate modern WYSIWYG smoothly with frameworks like React, Vue, and Angular. They support modular architectures and custom configurations. This makes them suitable for today’s component-driven development.
Accessibility and collaboration also matter more than ever. A visual editor allows designers, marketers, and developers to work together efficiently while maintaining consistent, structured output.
How we evaluated the best WYSIWYG editors
To create a fair WYSIWYG editor comparison, each tool was evaluated using the same criteria. We looked at core editing features such as formatting options, media handling, and plugin support. These basics determine how flexible an editor is in real projects.
Framework compatibility was also important. Editors that integrate well with React, Vue, Angular, or plain JavaScript scored higher for modern workflows. We also considered customization options, bundle size, and performance.
Finally, we reviewed documentation quality, community support, and licensing models. This helps developers understand long-term maintenance and adoption costs.
10 best WYSIWYG editors for web developers in 2026
Here is my list of 10 best WYSIWYG editors for web developers in 2026. You can explore their key features, use cases, support for integration with different frameworks and pros & cons below:
1. Froala Editor
Froala is a modern and versatile HTML WYSIWYG editor designed with developers in mind. It focuses on clean output, performance, and flexibility rather than overwhelming users with unnecessary features. The editor produces well-structured HTML that works reliably across applications.
Key features include rich text formatting, media handling, extensible plugins, and strong security controls. It is lightweight, which helps keep bundle sizes small and load times fast.
Best for: content-heavy web apps and SaaS platforms.
Framework support: React, Vue, Angular, and plain JavaScript.
Pros: fast, clean output, highly customizable.
Cons: commercial licensing required.
2. TinyMCE
TinyMCE is one of the most widely used WYSIWYG editors on the web. It offers a familiar editing experience and a large ecosystem of plugins. Many developers recognize it from CMS platforms and enterprise applications.
Key features include extensive formatting tools, media embedding, and advanced plugin support. The editor is highly configurable, but heavier setups may require careful optimization.
Best for: enterprise content platforms and CMS-driven sites.
Framework support: React, Vue, Angular, and vanilla JavaScript.
Pros: mature ecosystem, strong documentation.
Cons: larger bundle size and premium features behind paid plans.
3. CKEditor
CKEditor is a powerful WYSIWYG editor known for its structured content model. It is often used in large-scale applications where consistency and control matter. The editor emphasizes clean markup and predictable behavior.
Key features include modular plugins, collaborative editing options, and strong content filtering. CKEditor is highly extensible, but setup can be more complex compared to lightweight editors.
Best for: enterprise apps and collaborative editing workflows.
Framework support: React, Vue, Angular, and plain JavaScript.
Pros: structured output, advanced collaboration features.
Cons: steeper learning curve and licensing considerations.
4. Quill
Quill is a lightweight, open-source WYSIWYG editor built with a modern API. It focuses on simplicity and gives developers fine-grained control over content behavior. The editor uses a structured document model rather than raw HTML.
Key features include a clean core, customizable modules, and a powerful delta-based data format. Quill does not try to handle every use case out of the box, which keeps it flexible and fast.
Best for: custom editors and developer-driven interfaces.
Framework support: JavaScript, React, Vue, and Angular wrappers.
Pros: lightweight, open source, flexible API.
Cons: limited built-in UI features without customization.
5. Summernote
Summernote is a simple, open-source WYSIWYG editor designed for quick integration. It offers a clean interface that feels familiar to users who need basic rich text editing. The setup is straightforward and works well for smaller projects.
Key features include standard formatting tools, image uploads, and drag-and-drop support. Summernote is built on jQuery, which makes it easy to add to legacy systems but less ideal for modern frameworks.
Best for: small websites and legacy applications.
Framework support: jQuery-based environments.
Pros: easy setup, lightweight, open source.
Cons: limited modern framework support and extensibility.
6. TipTap
TipTap is a headless WYSIWYG editor built on top of ProseMirror. It gives developers full control over the UI while handling complex editing logic under the hood. This makes it a strong fit for highly customized interfaces.
Key features include a flexible extension system, collaborative editing support, and a schema-driven content model. Because it is headless, most of the visual layer must be built manually.
Best for: custom-rich editors and design-heavy applications.
Framework support: React, Vue, and vanilla JavaScript.
Pros: extremely flexible, modern architecture.
Cons: requires more development effort to implement.
7. Slate
Slate is a highly customizable WYSIWYG editor framework built specifically for React. It gives developers full control over how content is structured, rendered, and edited. Slate acts more like a toolkit than a ready-made editor.
Key features include a flexible document model, React-first architecture, and complete control over editor behavior. This makes it possible to build unique editing experiences that go far beyond standard text formatting.
Best for: advanced, React-based custom editors.
Framework support: React only.
Pros: extremely flexible, full control over content logic.
Cons: requires significant setup and implementation effort.
8. Trumbowyg
Trumbowyg is a minimal, open-source WYSIWYG editor focused on speed and simplicity. It avoids complex features in favor of a clean editing experience. This keeps the editor lightweight and easy to understand.
Key features include basic formatting tools, plugin extensions, and fast initialization. Trumbowyg is jQuery-based, which makes it suitable for older projects but less aligned with modern frameworks.
Best for: simple editing needs and lightweight projects.
Framework support: jQuery-based environments.
Pros: very lightweight, easy to integrate.
Cons: limited advanced features and modern framework support.
9. Editor.js
Editor.js is a free and open-source block-based WYSIWYG editor. It takes a different approach to content creation. Instead of editing free-flowing text, users build content using structured blocks like paragraphs, images, lists, and embeds. This makes content more predictable and reusable.
Key features include JSON-based output, modular block plugins, and clean separation between content and presentation. Editor.js focuses on data structure rather than visual styling.
Best for: content-driven apps and headless CMS setups.
Framework support: JavaScript with wrappers for React and Vue.
Pros: structured output, modern block-based editing.
Cons: limited traditional rich text formatting.
10. MediumEditor
MediumEditor is a lightweight, inline WYSIWYG editor inspired by the editing experience on Medium. It focuses on simplicity and keeps the interface almost invisible while users write. The goal is to make content creation feel natural and distraction-free.
Key features include inline editing, basic formatting options, and minimal configuration. MediumEditor does not try to handle complex layouts or advanced content structures.
Best for: simple text editing and inline content experiences.
Framework support: plain JavaScript with community wrappers.
Pros: clean UX, very lightweight.
Cons: limited features and not ideal for complex editing needs.
Quick comparison table
The table below offers a high-level WYSIWYG editor comparison to help you spot key differences at a glance. It highlights licensing models, framework support, customization levels, and common use cases. Use this overview as a starting point before exploring each editor in detail and testing them within your own development environment.
EditorOpen-source / CommercialFramework supportCustomization levelIdeal use caseFroala EditorCommercialReact, Vue, Angular, JSHighContent-heavy web appsTinyMCEHybridReact, Vue, Angular, JSHighCMS and enterprise platformsCKEditorHybridReact, Vue, Angular, JSHighStructured enterprise contentQuillOpen sourceJS, React, VueMediumCustom lightweight editorsSummernoteOpen sourcejQueryLow–MediumSmall or legacy projectsTipTapOpen coreReact, Vue, JSVery highCustom editor experiencesSlateOpen sourceReactVery highAdvanced React-based editorsTrumbowygOpen sourcejQueryLowSimple editing needsEditor.jsOpen sourceJS, React, VueMediumBlock-based content systemsMediumEditorOpen sourceJavaScriptLowInline text editing
Conclusion
There is no single editor that fits every project or team. Each option in this list serves a different purpose, depending on how much control, structure, and flexibility you need. The best choice depends on your application, your users, and your long-term maintenance goals.
Before committing, it’s worth testing a few editors in real scenarios. Look at how they integrate with your stack, how they handle content, and how easy they are to extend. A thoughtful evaluation will help you choose a WYSIWYG editor that supports both your current needs and future growth.
FAQs
What is the best WYSIWYG editor for web developers?
There is no universal best option. The right WYSIWYG editor depends on your project requirements, framework, and level of customization needed. Some editors focus on simplicity, while others are built for complex, structured content.
Are open-source WYSIWYG editors good enough for production use?
Yes, many open-source WYSIWYG editors are production-ready. However, they may require more customization and maintenance compared to commercial tools. Support, updates, and long-term stability should be considered.
Can WYSIWYG editors be used with modern JavaScript frameworks?
Most modern WYSIWYG editors support frameworks like React, Vue, and Angular. Some are framework-specific, while others offer wrappers or SDKs. Always check integration options before choosing an editor.
This article was published on the Froala blog.
Top comments (0)