Compare CotEditor vs. Kate

CotEditor is specifically designed for macOS and aligns perfectly with the expectations of macOS users. Its rapid launch time ensures that you can begin writing without delay whenever inspiration strikes. As an open-source project, CotEditor invites contributions from anyone interested in enhancing its capabilities. It supports syntax highlighting for over 50 popular programming languages, such as HTML, PHP, Python, Ruby, and Markdown, while also allowing users to create personalized settings. The interface enables you to split the window into several panes, facilitating the simultaneous view of various sections of your document. You can easily inspect the Unicode character data of any selected character, which is displayed conveniently in a popover. There is no need for complicated configuration files requiring technical expertise; all your settings, including syntax definitions and themes, can be managed through a straightforward preferences window. With CotEditor, the worry of losing unsaved changes is eliminated, as it automatically backs up your work during editing sessions. Additionally, it provides a feature to identify and list characters in your document that cannot be converted to the desired encoding, ensuring a smooth writing experience. This combination of user-friendliness and powerful features makes CotEditor a valuable tool for writers and developers alike.

Kate is a feature-rich editor designed to simplify the process of viewing and modifying all your text files effectively. It allows users to manage numerous files simultaneously, offering both tabbed and split view options, while also providing a diverse range of plugins such as an integrated terminal for executing console commands directly, robust search and replace tools, and a preview function to visualize your MD, HTML, and SVG content. Supporting syntax highlighting for over 300 programming languages, Kate enhances code readability across virtually all coding languages. The editor is also adept at understanding bracket structures, assisting users in navigating complex code block hierarchies seamlessly. Additionally, it includes on-the-fly spellchecking to help ensure your text is polished before it goes live. With the capability to work on multiple files concurrently through split views, you can also utilize the project sidebar for easy navigation of your directory structure, along with Kate's intelligent tabs to swiftly access recently opened documents, all of which contribute to a more efficient workflow. This makes Kate not just a tool, but a comprehensive environment for developers and writers alike.