Nova
Nova: A capable paid Mac editor with coding, Git, terminal, debugging, and preview tools. Ranked #35 of 82 in Text Editors by our editors (5.8/10); pricing: 30-day trial; best for mac developers wanting an integrated paid editor.
At a glance
- Editor score5.8 / 10
- Pricing30-day trial
- Best forMac developers wanting an integrated paid editor
- Free planNo
- Multi-cursor editingYes
- Facts checked22 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Multiple cursors, column editing, completions, folding, and minimap
- Built-in Git workflows, terminals, debugging, and live previews
- Remote files, extensions, and integrations with GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, and Gitea
Where it doesn't
- Runs only on macOS
- No free plan; the one-time license costs $99
- Continued major updates after the first year require license renewal
Our verdict on Nova
Nova is a native macOS code editor and IDE from Panic, aimed at developers who want editing, source control, terminal, debugging, and preview tools in one application. Its feature set covers syntax highlighting, contextual completions, multiple cursors, column selection, code folding, a minimap, Git workflows, live previews for web projects and Markdown, and remote file browsing, editing, and transfers. Nova 14 requires macOS 15 or later and runs on Intel and Apple Silicon Macs, making it a focused choice for current Mac development environments.
The published plan shows a $99 one-time purchase that includes one full year of updates and new features. The license remains usable after that included update period, while continued major updates require an optional renewal. There is no free plan, but a 30-day free trial is available. This structure suits buyers who prefer a paid desktop editor and expect to keep using a stable version, while developers seeking a permanently free editor or broad operating-system coverage should look elsewhere.
Nova’s strongest differentiator is how many development tasks it brings together without leaving the editor. Git clone, fetch, pull, commit, and push workflows are built in, and the extension library with a JavaScript API can add languages, themes, commands, completions, and other capabilities. Remote file transfers and integrations with GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, and Gitea extend its reach beyond local files. Pick Nova for an integrated Mac workflow with paid support for core coding tasks; choose an alternative if Windows or Linux access, a free tier, or specialized large-file and macro workflows is essential.
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Nova pricing
Nova fact sheet
| Free plan | No |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Not verified |
| Supported platforms | macOS |
| Multi-cursor editing | Yes |
| Macro recording | Not verified |
| Column editing | Yes |
| Large-file handling | Not verified |
| Extension support | Yes |
| Free trial | 30 days |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | macOS |
| Support | Tickets, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 2 integrations: GitHub, GitLab |
| Pricing | 30-day trial (source) |
| Website | nova.app |
| Facts checked | 22 Sep 2026 |
Nova integrations
Nova lists 2 integrations on its own site.
- GitHub
- GitLab
Alternatives to Nova
- Visual Studio CodeA free, open-source editor with broad development features across desktop and web.9.4
- NeovimA free, open-source editor for keyboard-driven workflows and deep customization.9.3
- GNU EmacsA mature, highly customizable editor for users who value breadth and control.9.2
Also Ranked In
Nova is ranked in 6 of our directories.
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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