Editor’s Note: This product has been removed from viewing as part of this site because it has been replaced by another product. You can still read our original review below, but TopTenREVIEWS is no longer updating this product’s information.
HTML-Kit has the feel of a project built by web designers for web designers. To be clear, HTML-Kit Tools isn’t the ideal product for a first time website creator—it requires a healthy understanding of markup languages to maximize its effectiveness. For a more experienced site designer, this web design software offers a strong feature set and a no frills interface that will satisfy the technically proficient eager to have maximal control over their code.
HTML-Kit Tools is an all around competent IDE. That being said, it does take some time to get comfortable with the UI and general navigation.
While a new editor is always intimidating, HTML-Kit Tools lessens the burden on the user by providing direct links to help files straight from tooltip popups that appear if you leave your cursor above a tag for a couple seconds. This makes navigating unfamiliar code much easier.
HTML-Kit Tools is definitely not a WYSIWYG web design program. But, HTML-Kit Tools’ live preview mode approximates the effect—you can say code changes reflected in the preview window as you institute them.
HTML-Kit Tools isn’t a web design suite ready for developing iPhone apps or fancy flash menus. Instead, HTML-Kit Tools aims to be a reliable and straightforward HTML editor with a handful of timesaving extras. With plenty of language specific plug-ins available, HTML-Kit Tools supports HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, Perl and other common languages right from the get go.
Even the most experienced of designers occasionally overlook obvious errors. HTML-Kit Tools verifies that code is valid and points out potential errors much like MS Word addresses spelling and grammar mistakes.
We liked HTML-Kit Tools’ syntax colorization. Skimming through large chunks of code is significantly easier after you learn to identify snippet function by color. Similarly, HTML-Kit Tools’ photo preview is a timesaver—simply hover the cursor over image code and the image referenced pops up in a small window.
HTML-Kit Tools provides a FTP utility to easily upload pages to your site. Given that other programs often charge for additional FTP uploading tools, we appreciate this feature.
A major plus for independent site developers concerns HTML-Kit Tools’ community. If there’s a function you’re looking for, chances are, you can find a plug-in designed by another user.
HTML-Kit Tools’ homepage provides a wealth of documents, FAQs and tutorials for users encountering any difficulty or simply looking for information. You won’t get individual attention from IT specialists for HTML-Kit Tools, but, given the active community of users, most issues will be promptly addressed on the program’s user and development forums.
There is a freeware download of the previous version of HTML-Kit available for users interested to give the software a hands-on test drive before purchase. HTML-Kit Tools is only available for registered users. Currently priced at $65, we consider HTML-Kit Tools to be priced reasonably.
HTML-Kit Tools is lightweight, runs smoothly, never crashes and provides a wealth of features any site creator will appreciate. With macros, customizable hotkeys and plug-ins available, HTML-Kit Tools can be converted into an individualized IDE for any web project out there. Newbies might find HTML-Kit Tools over their heads, but experienced site creators vouch for HTML-Kit Tools.
