WYSIWYG editors and code editors
KompoZer
KompoZer is professional software for editing websites. It allows you to view the site and edit the code simultaneously, has built-in FTP, an excellent tabbed interface, and supports all major operating systems.
Bluefish Editor
Bluefish Editor - Very similar in features to KompoZer. Fast and lightweight. It has convenient wizards for creating HTML documents, convenient project management, and extremely convenient search and replace! Recommended for those who didn't quite get along with KompoZer.
Notepad
One of the most powerful tools for editing code in the Windows operating system. Notepad++ is more than just a notepad; it is a powerful IDE with add-ons that make it the best code editor for the Windows operating system. Linux users have gedit, which is truly the best code editor in the world. Highly recommended!
SeaMonkey
SeaMonkey, from Mozilla, is an all-in-one browser that includes a convenient HTML editor called SeaMonkey Composer.
Graphics and image software
GIMP
GIMP is a professional graphic design and image editing package and the best alternative to Photoshop. For fans of the Photoshop interface, there is Gimpshop - an extension that closely resembles the Photoshop interface. Highly recommended!
Inkscape
Inkscape is a top-notch program for editing vector graphics, just like its counterparts Adobe Illustrator and CorelDRAW.
Recommended software
FileZilla
FileZilla is considered one of the most popular open source programs. It runs on all operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and Macintosh, and offers advanced options such as transferring multiple files simultaneously. Highly recommended!
CamStudio
Sometimes you need to give a presentation on your computer to one of your clients, perhaps to explain the interface and services offered by your website. So if you need screen capture software, look no further than CamStudio. CamStudio is open source screen capture software with all the advanced features you need.
Browser Add-ons
Firebug
Firebug is an exceptionally powerful and effective tool! It can be used to view HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code and modify it in real time. You can check web page loading speed and many other advanced options. It comes with dozens of other add-ons to choose from and run from within Firefox. Highly recommended!
ColorZilla
This is a Firefox add-on that lets you select a color from anywhere on the page.
2026 update: before adopting any open-source tool or plugin, check maintenance cadence, PHP/WordPress compatibility, security advisory history, and performance impact in staging. This reduces production risk and prevents lock-in to abandoned components.
