Looking for a CKEditor? Try these 10 Alternatives

In the world of web content creation, a What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG) editor can make a huge difference in the editing process. CKEditor is a popular WYSIWYG editor, but its cost may not be feasible for everyone. Fortunately, many alternatives can provide similar functionality.

Whether you're a blogger, web designer, or content creator, having a user-friendly and versatile editor is crucial to your workflow. The following list of CKEditor alternatives offers a range of options for different needs and preferences.

Switching to a free alternative can help you save money while providing you with the essential tools you need to create high-quality content. Let's look at these 10 alternatives to CKEditor and see which one is the best fit for you.

What is CKEditor?

CKEditor is a popular, versatile WYSIWYG text editor which allows you to write content directly on web pages or online applications. It can be used to create Word-like documents or provide a simple toolbar for email and instant message content. CKEditor provides rich text formatting options as well as spell check.

CKEditor Alternatives

Now that we've discussed the importance of a good WYSIWYG editor and the need for free alternatives to CKEditor, let's dive into the list. The following are 10 of the best free alternatives to CKEditor, each with its own unique features and benefits.

It's important to note that these alternatives aren't listed in any particular order, as the best one for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences.

Take a look at the options and see which one is the right fit for your content creation process. Without further ado, let's explore the alternatives to CKEditor.

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1. TinyMCE

TinyMCE is a powerful and customizable WYSIWYG editor that can be integrated into any web application. You’ll also have rich text editing capabilities for your projects. TinyMCE supports a wide range of plugins that can be easily added or removed to tailor the editor to your needs.

Core features include:

• Accessibility. TinyMCE supports accessibility features such as ARIA, allowing users with disabilities to use the editor.
• Responsive design. The editor presents a consistent user experience across all devices and platforms.
• Customizable toolbar. Users can select the tools they need to edit the content.

What we like: TinyMCE has a simple yet effective design, a user-friendly interface, and broad compatibility with different browsers.

Pricing: Free and paid plans are available.

2. Froala Editor

Froala Editor is a modern and intuitive WYSIWYG editor that allows for easy customization of its toolbar and features. It's a great alternative to CKEditor for those looking for a user-friendly interface that’s highly responsive on mobile devices.

Core features include:

• Real-time collaborative editing.
• Integrations. Froala Editor offers integration with popular frameworks such as Angular, React, and Vue.js.
• Code view and HTML editing. The program offers advanced users the ability to edit the code directly.
• Spell checking and auto-save. The platform provides features that improve the writing experience for users.

What we like: Froala Editor offers a sleek design, easy customization options, and seamless integration with popular web frameworks.

Pricing: Free and paid plans are available.

3. Quill

Quill is a lightweight and modular WYSIWYG editor that supports a range of formatting options and features. Its minimalist design makes it a great choice for those who want a simple editor that’s easy to use.

Core features include:

• Keyboard shortcuts for commonly used commands.
• Modular architecture, which enables developers to extend its functionality with ease.
• Plugin support that adds additional functionality to the editor.

What we like: Its responsiveness and modular design allow for easy integration with different web frameworks.

Pricing: Free and open source.

4. Summernote

Summernote is a simple yet feature-rich WYSIWYG editor that supports real-time collaboration, image and file uploads, and various formatting options. It's a great alternative to CKEditor for those looking for an editor that is easy to use and has a modern design.

Core features include:

• A popover-style toolbar. The toolbar appears as a small popover above the text instead of taking up space in the editor. This creates a cleaner and more streamlined interface.
• Inline image and video embedding. This feature allows users to embed images and videos directly within the editor, rather than just providing a URL.
• Extensive documentation that makes it easy for developers to get started.
• A customizable “air mode.” Summernote allows developers to create a customized air mode, a simplified version of the editor. This allows users to remove or add features as needed.

What we like: Summernote is easy to use and supports real-time collaboration features.

Pricing: Free and open source.

5. NicEdit

NicEdit is a lightweight and easy-to-use WYSIWYG editor that offers basic formatting options, such as bolding, italicizing, and underlining text. It's a great alternative to CKEditor for those looking for a simple editor.

Core features include:

• Support for older browsers. NicEdit is designed to work on older browsers and is backward compatible up to Internet Explorer 6, which many other WYSIWYG editors do not support.
• Automatic resizing. The editor automatically expands or shrinks as the user types, providing a better user experience.
• Frequent updates. NicEdit is an open-source project that is actively maintained by developers, providing a degree of transparency and security.

What we like: NicEdit is simple and has fast loading times.

Pricing: Free and open source.

6. SCEditor

With its small footprint and straightforward API, SCEditor is a great option for developers who want to add a lightweight, yet comprehensive, text editor to their web applications. You can also add plugins extending the editor’s functionality or supporting specific use cases.

Core features include:

• Auto-update capabilities. Unlike other editors, SCEditor automatically updates its output while typing, giving users a real-time preview of their work.
• Emoticon support that allows users to add visual elements to their content.
• A simple API. SCEditor offers an easy-to-understand API, reducing the amount of development time needed to integrate it into an application.

What we like: SCEditor has a minimalist design, fast loading time, and support for mobile devices.

Pricing: Free and open source.

7. jHtmlArea

jHtmlArea is a simple and customizable WYSIWYG editor that supports a range of formatting options, including HTML and Markdown. It's a great alternative to CKEditor for those looking for an editor with basic features that can be easily customized.

Core features include:

• Easy customization. Developers can use CSS to customize their applications’ layouts and styles.
• Integration with content management systems. jHtmlArea is compatible with several CMS platforms, including Drupal, WordPress, and Joomla. This makes making jHtmlArea useful for creating plugins for these systems.
• A text and source mode. jHtmlArea's dual-mode functionality allows users to switch between rich text editing and HTML source code without leaving the editor.

What we like: jHtmlArea offers a wide range of web frameworks for developers to use.

Pricing: Free and open source.

8. Redactor

Redactor is a powerful and feature-rich WYSIWYG editor that supports a range of plugins and features, including real-time collaboration and file uploads. Its modern design makes it a great choice for those looking for an editor with advanced features.

Core features include:

• Inline editing, allowing users to edit the page on the site instead of within an edit screen.
• Mobile compatibility. Redactor is designed to work smoothly on mobile devices, making it easier for users to edit content on the go.
• Live preview. Redactor has a built-in live preview feature, allowing users to preview the content as they edit.
• Advanced formatting, like columns and tables.

What we like: Redactor's look and feel can be customized to match any website design.

Pricing: Free and paid plans are available.

9. Trumbowyg

Trumbowyg is a lightweight and customizable WYSIWYG editor that supports a range of formatting options, including HTML and Markdown. Trumbowyg also uses a modular architecture that allows developers to add and remove specific features. It’s designed to work with popular front-end libraries like jQuery, Angular, and React.

Core features include:

• Optional plugins. Trumbowyg's modular architecture allows developers to add optional plugins for specific use cases, such as social media and image cropping.
• An adaptive toolbar that reacts to the available space, making the editor easy to use on different devices and screen sizes.
• Auto-saving, reducing the risk of data loss.

What we like: Trumbowyg provides an easy way to switch between different languages and locales, making it a suitable option for creating multilingual applications.

Pricing: Free and open source.

10. Aloha Editor

Aloha Editor is a simple and customizable WYSIWYG editor that supports a range of formatting options and features. This platform offers modular architecture and native browser support, making it a reliable editor for any CMS.

Core features include:

• Focus on semantic content. Aloha Editor focuses on ensuring that the content generated by the editor has proper headings, links, and other elements that help search engines understand the content.
• Validation. Aloha Editor validates your work against web standards and accessibility rules, ensuring the content complies with major international standards.
• Synchronized content updates. Changes made in the preview panel are automatically reflected in the source code, and vice-versa.

What we love: Aloha Editor’s modular architecture allows developers to create custom plugins and modules to add new functionality to the editor.

Pricing: Free and open source

The Best CKEditor Option for You

Many WYSIWYG editors are available on the market, each with its own features and strengths. Choosing the right editor for your web application depends on your needs and preferences.

Some may require a lightweight and simple editor with basic formatting options, while others may need a more advanced and feature-rich editor with plugins and real-time collaboration capabilities.

Fortunately, plenty of free and paid options are available, making it easy to find an editor that fits your requirements and budget. Whether you choose TinyMCE for its simplicity and compatibility, Froala Editor for its customization options, or Redactor for its advanced features, there is an editor out there that can help you create professional-looking content for your website or application.

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