Best 8 TextPad alternative for Mac: Tried & tested
8 min read
Windows often offers a variety of stripped-down, no-frills tools that can be extremely useful for getting the job done. That’s precisely why so many Mac users search for alternatives when they switch operating systems. Textpad is one of these apps — a powerful text editor that’s handy for anything from coding and scripting to general text editing.
If you’ve been on the hunt for a TextPad equivalent for Mac, I’ve put together this article on the best alternatives and how to choose the best option for you.
What is a TextPad?
TextPad is quite self-explanatory. It’s a reliable, simple text editor interface that comes with a bunch of features like advanced search-and-replace, macros, and more that writers and programmers find useful. Despite its first release in 1992, its customization and “basic-ness” has stuck, making it appealing to those who don’t want bloated software.
Is there a TextPad for Mac?
Unfortunately, TextPad for macOS doesn’t exist. It’s a Windows-exclusive program, which is likely because of its developer focus and the big technical differences between Mac and Windows. As Mac is geared towards being more non-technical and user-friendly for the average person, TextPad doesn’t necessarily “fit” into its ecosystem.
But if you’re someone who loves the Mac interface but requires TextPad for its features, you’ll need a TextPad alternative for Mac.
I’ve put together this summary table for a quick overview, as well as a more detailed guide below:
| TextPad alternative | What it does in a nutshell |
| Ulysses | Text editor with a clean interface with a robust markdown editor. |
| CodeRunner | Code editor with support for 25 programming languages. |
| Whisk | Code editor for HTML, JavaScript, and more with a live preview window. |
| BoltAI | AI-powered chatbot tool to help generate code and writing ideas. |
| MarsEdit | Blogging-centered app with support for Rich and Plain text and uploading to popular blog sites. |
| Plus | Customizable AI assistant for tedious tasks, such as summarizing, proofreading, and explaining. |
| MonsterWriter | Simplify complex text formatting such as bibliography creation and footnote addition. |
| TextSoap | Text cleanup app with 100 built-in cleaners for automatic editing. |
If you're looking for other great writing tools for your Mac, I also recommend checking out the overview of the best writing apps for Mac.
Best TextPad alternatives for Mac
Each of these TextPad alternatives boasts a variety of features and functions that’ll cater to different needs. I’ve single-handedly tested each one, so you know you’re getting the real scoop.
Ulysses: Pure writing in one app
Ulysses is perhaps the most popular app on the list. It’s made quite the reputation for itself as a highly functional writing program while maintaining peak simplicity for those who want to work undistracted. With a clean user interface, you can use tools like its markdown editor, direct publishing to WordPress or Medium, and stylish ebook and PDF formats to beautify your work.
What’s cool:
- Powerful organization features like keywords, tags, and folder structures
- Markdown support reduces reliance on toolbar options
What’s missing:
No rich text formatting for complex documents
CodeRunner: Easy writing for coders
In contrast to Ulysses, CodeRunner is built for coders. Its lightning-fast editor interface lets you debug, write, and run with out-of-the-box support for multiple programming languages. When you download CodeRunner, you’ll be able to take advantage of all sorts of features, including a whopping 230 syntax highlighters, a documentation sidebar, and lots of customizable preferences.
What’s cool:
- Supports over 25 programming languages, including Python, Java, and C++
- Code snippets and auto-completion feature for speedy development
What’s missing:
No integrated Git support
Whisk: Code editing with live preview
I’ve gone over one example that focuses on markdown text and another that is heavily based on coding. Whisk is a little combination of both. It’s an app made for JavaScript, HTML, PHP, and CSS that features a real-time live preview pane that makes your workflow that much more streamlined. It also comes with reusable code snippets and customizable syntax highlighting, as well as other useful features.
What’s cool:
- W3C-based validation for code accuracy
- Automatic HTML and PHP rendering
What’s missing:
Lack of advanced IDE functionality, like highly specialized frameworks support
BoltAI: Writing & coding with AI assistant
BoltAI loops in AI chatbots to upgrade your writing and/or coding experience. With several prompt and chatbot characters available, you can ask them anything and generate ideas and code while you’re in the zone. The app also lets you add files, like documents and code, to any project, making it easy to reference while collaborating with AI.
What’s cool:
- AI-powered assistance to help with any task
- Easy workflow with real-time AI collaboration and file integration
What’s missing:
No text editor interface like with TextPad
MarsEdit: For online content creation
MarsEdit is a dream for Rich and Plain text editing, perfect for users who like to switch between the two depending on the project they’re working on. The app has extensive support for WordPress and integration with blog publishing services, as well as smart previews to see how your post will appear on the web. You’ll also never have to worry about losing your work with automatic backups of your drafts.
What’s cool:
- Support for various blogging platforms like WordPress and Blogger
- Customizable post templates
What’s missing:
Heavy focus on blogging than other activities
Plus: For summarizing, rewriting & explaining with AI
Plus doesn’t exactly have the best text editor interface, but it’s incredibly useful if you need to use AI to summarize, rewrite, or explain text. All you have to do is enter a prompt or highlight some text, and the tool will do just that. In my example, I highlighted a snippet from a Psychology Today article called 5 Positive Psychology Findings for a Happier Life. The app managed to give me a solid summary, saving me tons of time in the long run.
What’s cool:
- Allows you to create your own prompts to deal with repetitive tasks
- Strong menu bar shortcut for easy access
What’s missing:
No text editing interface installed in the app
MonsterWriter: Easy formatting for any paper
Ever wanted to make complex formatting easy? If you’ve been a student, you’ll know dealing with bibliographies, complex equations, footnotes, and other tedious formatting can be a total nightmare. MonsterWriter lets you use its built-in shortcut commands, easy exporting, nested tags, and thesis-tailored layouts, so you don’t have to deal with formatting headaches any longer.
What’s cool:
- Multi-platform export for PDF, LaTeX, DOCX, and more
- Simplifies all aspects of complex formatting, including code sections, cross references, tables, and more
What’s missing:
Primarily geared toward academic writing
TextSoap: For content reviews before publishing
TextSoap acts like the second pair of eyes you need before submitting or uploading any document. It’s particularly handy for lawyers, editors, and any other individual who has to deal with large volumes of text regularly. The text editor focuses on document cleanup (hence the “soap” part), letting you build automated workflows to capitalize, highlight, and apply different formatting to certain sections or words depending on your needs.
What’s cool:
- Over 100 built-in cleaners for text transformation
- Automated and customizable text cleaning
What’s missing:
Can be overly extensive for minimal text cleaning needs
How to choose the best TextPad equivalent?
With so many options at your disposal, making a choice comes down to what you really need. Here’s a quick guide to help you make a decision:
- Customizability: Does the tool give you wiggle room to incorporate your own shortcuts, for example, to match your workflow?
- Compatibility: Is it compatible with other Apple ecosystem products like iPad and iPhone?
- Ease of use: Is there a big learning curve involved, or is it a solution you can use right out of the box?
- Features: Does the app come with all the features you need? Think collaboration features, export options, and support for certain programming languages or text editor formats.
If possible, I recommend testing apps through free trials or demos to get a better sense of what you’ll be using long-term.
Time to choose an alternative for TextPad on Mac
If you’re looking to revamp your text editing routine or coding process, there are a variety of lightweight alternatives for TextPad on Mac. I think TextSoap is ideal for text cleaning, while Whisk combines a clean coding interface with a preview window for seamless updates — but it’s up to you to choose the best one. There’s an alternative for just about every user, packed with features that’ll give TextPad a run for its money. With these tools, there’s hardly a need for a TextPad macOS.
All of the apps mentioned in this article are ready to download and use from Setapp — a subscription app with over 250 apps for iOS and Mac. So, if you’re curious to see how these apps can fit into your digital world, why not start a 7-day free trial today?
Security-tested
