The 4 Best HTML Editors for iPad in 2023

Best for Powerful Features: Textastic Code Editor 9

If there's a particular feature you're looking for from an iPad HTML editor, there's a good chance Textastic will have it. With syntax highlighting for 80+ languages, code completion for HTML, CSS, PHP, C, Objective-C, and Javascript, and an extra row of keys with relevant characters, entering code is fast and accurate.

You can connect to Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox, and (with a bit of work) Git repositories, or your own servers via FTP/FTPS/SFTP or WebDAV. Unlike many other code editors on iPad, there's full support for landscape mode, split views, and multiple tabs. There's also a built-in JavaScript console and SSH command window, plus access to a local file system so you can build the structure of the site on your iPad, then easily upload it. Both local and remote HTML previewing is built in.

Reasonably-priced and well-regarded by its users, Textastic Code Editor is an excellent option for professional developers.

Best for Minimalists: Javascript Anywhere

If all you want is a lightweight, free app for text-based development without all the bells and whistles, check out Javascript Anywhere. Despite the name, it supports HTML and CSS editing as well as Javascript via a simple toggle on the editing screen.

Preview your code via the internal browser, and import images and projects from the web so you don't have to start from scratch. Files can be synced using Dropbox, or shared via email. Other than a few interface customizations and project templates, there's not much more to the app than that—the developer deliberately keeps it "minimal forever."

You may want something with a few more features if you find yourself writing HTML all the time, but for quick coding on the go, it's well worth having Javascript Anywhere installed on your iPad.

Best for Speedy Coding: GoCoEdit

Looking for a development-focused text editor that can help you get more done quicker? GoCoEdit has syntax highlighting support for dozens of languages including HTML, and a range of useful features that make coding faster and more enjoyable on iOS devices.

Time-saving features like code hints, auto-indent, and automatic closing of brackets help speed up code entry, and powerful search and replace tools make large-scale changes much faster. The app also adds an extra row of keys to the on-screen keyboard, with custom text snippets and a "trackpad" for more accurate text selection. Common desktop shortcuts like Cmd-C for copy and Cmd-V for paste are also available.

GoCoEdit supports working offline and directly on the server, and syncs with Dropbox and other cloud storage services. You can also upload/download via FTP/SFTP. A preview browser, complete with Javascript console, is built into the app.​

Best Free Option: HTML & HTML5 Editor

While HTML & HTML5 Editor doesn't boast as many features as paid apps like Textastic or GoCoEdit, this simple editor does a good job of covering the basics—and you can't argue with the price.

The app has syntax highlighting and code auto-completion, supporting use in "landscape mode," which is preferred by many developers. A preview function is included, along with a safety net—as well as undo/redo functions, an automatic backup is created whenever you start editing a file.

A basic file editor is built-in, letting you move, delete, rename, and more. Options for moving files off the iPad are limited, with email being the most flexible, but you can at least create and extract zip files to make dealing with multiple files easier. 

This app is a good option for iPad owners with basic HTML editing requirements. Since it's free, HTML & HTML5 Editor is well worth checking out to see if it meets your needs before shelling out on a paid alternative with extra features.