With constant advancements in the software industry, the work is now more intellectual and complex, and we need the right tool stack to ensure efficiency and productivity. This tool stack also evolves with time as newer tools come into the development ecosystem, and the nature of work changes depending upon the industry and sophistication of the solution.

But, finding the right tool is not an easy job. It requires research, time, and analysis. To save time, tried and tested top developer-centric tools can help minimize the necessary efforts.

Stack the Right Tools as a Developer

Determining the perfect tool stack is a crucial element for work efficiency and, at the same time, helps developers with improving their knowledge and expertise on different available tools.

There are many tools available in the ecosystem right now, each with its own feature set; while some are free to use, others are paid, and most of them have the flexibility to allow necessary customizations as per the project requirements or workflow.

Here we are with the list of tool types, among which are the must-haves.

Types of Tools A Developer Needs

We have sorted a list of tools necessary for developers. Each tool is categorized based on its usage.

• Development Tools
• Productivity Tools
• Collaboration Tools
• Demo Tools
• Writing Tools

Must-Have Tools for Developers

For every trade, there is a tool! And software development is no exception to it. For a programmer, these tools aid in their work and reduce roadblocks. Hundreds of tools are available for the developers offering various features. But which one is worthy and worth the shot?

Development Tools

The development tools are widely recognized as powerful companions for developers to build solutions. These tools will enable them to write, test, and debug their code efficiently.

We have further categorized the development tools into three subcategories:

Text Editors

Text editors are tools that allow a developer to create and edit different programming files. Two text editors every developer must have on their list are:

1. TinyMCE

TinyMCE is an advanced WYSIWYG editor that is flexible, easy to customize, and well designed. It enhances your overall editing experience with real-time collaboration, comments, and mentions.

Core Features

• It is an open-source editor with an easy-to-configure layout and impeccable character map.
• It can be extended with 50+ plugins and 100+ customization options.
• Able to create content swifter with quick formatting from Word, Excel, Google Docs, etc.

Pricing

The package starts at $80 per month with free 14 days trial.

2. VS Code

The Visual Studio Code is the latest text editor with a powerful IDE. With the VS Code, developers can do advanced text searching, ensure replacements, and run macros.

Core Features

• Developers can go beyond syntax highlighting and autocomplete with IntelliSense.
• VS Code allows debugging the code from the editor through an interactive console.
• A customizable and extensible text editor.

Pricing

Free text editor that can run on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Source Control

The most prominent source control tool is GitHub for all developers.

3. GitHub

GitHub is one of the most popular developer tools that every developer should know. Users can conveniently build the software and applications, review, manage and host the code.

Core Features

• It offers seamless code security with easy-to-integrate features.
• GitHub allows collaborative coding with an automated environment setup.
• Engineered specifically for software teams allowing them to keep requests and bugs organized.

Pricing

GitHub is free for public use. However, teams and enterprises must pay $44 and $231 per month, respectively.

File Transfer Protocol-FTP

FTP enables the transfer of files back and forth between computers or through the cloud.

4. FileZilla

It is an open-source, fast, and reliable cross-platform FTP application used to upload, download or transfer files on the internet and between computer systems. Being a must-have tool for developers, FileZilla supports File Transfer Protocol (FTP) over Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Shell File Transfer Protocol (SFTP).

Core Features

• It’s an intuitive graphical user interface supports transferring files larger than 4 GB.
• The configurable transfer speed limits make FileZilla a robust FTP for developers.
• It supports synchronized directory browsing and is a network configuration wizard.

Pricing

It is a free, open-source FTP that runs on Windows, Linux, macOS, and BSD.

Collaboration Tools

The collaboration tools for developers help them streamline their workflow. It allows them to work together innovatively, increasing the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the process.

5. Google Drive

Google Drive is a popular collaboration tool for developers. It helps the developers easily store, share, and collaborate folders and files. It’s a popular cloud storage platform where you can create multiple files, including documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.

Core Features

• It has a built-in protection mechanism against malware, ransomware, and spam.
• Being a cloud-native collab app, Drive is already integrated with Docs, Sheets, and Slides.
• It can easily integrate with other applications and tools the team is already using.

Pricing

15 GB is free for every user. For storage of 2 TB per user, the plan starts from $12 per month.

6. Basecamp

Basecamp is a collaboration platform and an excellent solution for remote working. It helps to keep everything organized and transparent for every team member working on the project.

Core Features

• Basecamp has a separate message board with post announcements, ideas, pitches, etc.
• It offers automated check-ins allowing the team manager to know the project’s status.
• The calendar is comprehensive in Basecamp, allowing users to see events, projects, and deadlines in a single view.

Pricing

It is free for personal use but costs $99 a month for businesses.

Productivity Tools

Productivity tools help you stay organized by keeping important info handy and syncing automatically to all your devices. It enables you to get things done quickly, saving you more time.

7. Evernote

Evernote has everything from task management to note-taking, organizing, and archiving. It helps users arrange their ideas and thoughts in a notebook and make personalized checklists and to-do lists.

Core Features

• Automatically syncs your notes to all of your devices.
• Allows users to add images, text, audio, PDFs, and scans in notes.
• It offers flexible and advanced search capabilities within the application.

Pricing

Evernote has a free plan with limited features. Personal, professional, and team plans start at $7.99, $9.99, and $14.99 per month.

Demo Tools

The demo tools help you get your message across through shareable videos.

8. Loom

It’s a video recording tool that lets you record your camera, microphone, and screen. It enables you to showcase your work or give a demonstration of your products easily.

Core Features

• It allows the developers to share their screens and camera while demonstrating their work/product.
• You can share a link outside Loom, allowing other recipients to watch it without logging in.
• It has interactive features to respond to videos and keep the team connected.

Pricing

The free package has limited features, but the business paid plan starts from $8 per month for every user.

Writing/API Documentation Tools

Writing tools make writing, editing, reviewing, and rewriting much easier for the users, whereas the API documentation tool allows you to create and manage documentation for your APIs.

9. Grammarly

It is a cloud-based writing assistant that clarifies their writing and helps catch spelling and grammar errors.

Core Features

• It can integrate with emails, messages, documents, projects, and social media platforms.
• It’s more than a spelling-checking helper and provides comprehensive suggestions.
• Identify plagiarism and helps in correcting the tone of the content.

Pricing

The free version has basic writing suggestions, while the premium plan starts from $12 per month with additional advanced corrections.

10. SwaggerHub

SwaggerHub is an innovative API development framework. It is a perfect documentation tool for developers that helps them utilize advanced documentation capabilities and deploy APIs.

Core Features

• It enables standardized and fast API design aligned to your business goals.
• SwaggerHub offers smart working through collaboration and uniformity across multiple teams.
• It hosts interactive API documentation for individuals and businesses.

Pricing

The free plan supports a single designer, but the paid plan supports three designers and starts from €96 per month for the teams.

The Bottom Line

Getting familiar with the top tools for developers can make your work comparatively more effortless and organized.

At ConsulNet, we offer a variety of courses that can help you learn the technologies and vital tools required for becoming a software developer. Hope you enjoyed the article!

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