Research
🖊️ Text Editors
Text editor frameworks offer a range of capabilities for rich text editing, each catering to different development needs. Below is a summarized table comparing key features.
🧩 Framework Comparison Table
| Framework | Type | Output Format | Collab Features | Ideal Use Case | Size | Key Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TipTap | Headless (ProseMirror-based) | HTML | Yes (via Hocuspocus/Pro) | Custom UIs, branded editors | ~100KB+ | Modular extensions, Vue/React support, ProseMirror power |
| Editor.js | Block-style, JSON-based | JSON | Partial (via plugins) | Structured CMS content | ~200KB | Clean JSON, plugin system, block-first design |
| Yank Note | Markdown + Code editor | Markdown | No | Programmer notes, tech docs | Medium | Monaco-based, code execution, plugins, charts |
| Outline | Knowledge base | Rich HTML | Yes | Org-wide knowledge management | Large | Collaboration, search, team spaces |
| Lexical | React-based, headless | Custom (Node) | Planned (partial via libs) | Lightweight enterprise editors | 22KB core | Facebook-backed, modular, fast |
| Slate.js | React-based rich text | HTML | No (manual impl.) | Deeply customizable editors | ~80KB | Plugin system, fine control, highly flexible |
| Draft.js | React, Immutable.js based | HTML | No (legacy) | Legacy apps (archived) | ~170KB | Strong state mgmt, deprecated in 2023 |
| CKEditor 5 | Full-featured WYSIWYG | HTML | Yes (Real-time, Track) | Enterprise collaboration | Large | Rich plugins, AI assist, track changes |
| BlockNote | Notion-style block editor | HTML + JSON | Yes (out-of-the-box) | Notion-like apps, docs | Medium | ProseMirror + TipTap base, modern UX |
| Quill.js | Delta-based RTE | Delta (JSON) | Partial (via libs) | Collaborative documents | ~100KB | Change tracking, mature, Delta ops |
| ProseMirror | Core toolkit | HTML | No (needs wrappers) | Framework building blocks | Varies | Very powerful, high complexity |
🔍 Key Insights
- Customization vs. Out-of-the-box: TipTap, Slate, and Lexical favor flexibility; CKEditor 5 and BlockNote offer batteries-included.
- Best for Structured Data: Editor.js and Quill.js excel with JSON/Delta formats.
- Performance Leaders: Lexical (22KB), Slate.js (~80KB) beat legacy Draft.js in size and speed.
- AI & Collaboration Trends: TipTap Pro, CKEditor 5, and Yank Note add AI and real-time tools.
🎯 Use Case Summary
| Use Case | Recommended Framework | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Custom Design Systems | TipTap | Headless, flexible UI |
| Structured CMS Content | Editor.js | JSON-first block model |
| Technical Docs & Markdown | Yank Note | Monaco editor, code support |
| Knowledge Management | Outline | Collaboration, search, team docs |
| Notion-like Experiences | BlockNote | Block-based UI, fast start |
| Enterprise Collaboration | CKEditor 5 | Real-time editing, track changes, comments |
| Lightweight Performance | Lexical | Fast, scalable, modular |
| Deep Customization (React) | Slate.js | Plugin-first, high flexibility |