10 Essential Tools for Visual HTML Editor Workflows in React on 2025
- Posted on
- By Daniel Roncaglia
- In General,
Table of contents
- The Importance of HTML Editors
- 1. Froala: The Ultimate WYSIWYG Editor
- 2. Draft.js: A Flexible Framework
- 3. Quill: A Rich Text Editor
- 4. TinyMCE: A Feature-Rich Editor
- 5. Slate.js: A Customizable Editor
- 6. CKEditor: Real-Time Collaboration
- 7. ProseMirror: A Toolkit for Editors
- 8. Editor.js: A Block-Based Editor
- 9. React ContentEditable: A Simple Solution
- 10. Remirror: A React-First Editor Framework
- Conclusion

The developer community will celebrate 12 years since the launch of React on May 29, 2013. Since then, this JavaScript library for the front end has remained the most popular choice among software developers.
There are several reasons for this: its component-based architecture, flexibility, and performance make React a go-to choice for building modern applications.
React reflects the evolution of the web in the 2010s and 2020s. In an environment with increasingly dynamic pages, React ensures that only components with changes are updated, avoiding unnecessary rendering.
This approach enhances application performance, making them run more smoothly. It took nearly 20 years for this optimization to become mainstream since the web emerged in the 1990s.
Another key strength of this tool, maintained by Meta (formerly Facebook), is the optimization effect driven by its popularity.
With a vast number of developers using React, the market provides an unparalleled selection of tools for integrating various functions.
The Importance of HTML Editors
One of the most essential tools for web applications is the HTML editor. To explain the basics: HyperText Markup Language (HTML) is the standard language for structuring content in a document displayed as a web page in a browser.
Although HTML code can be edited in a simple text editor, specialized editors offer conveniences that make developers’ work more efficient, such as syntax highlighting.
These editors also facilitate the use of related technologies like JavaScript and CSS. There are two main types of editors: text editors and WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editors.
These tools not only streamline workflows but also enhance user experience by providing intuitive interfaces.
In this article, we’ll introduce 10 essential tools for visual HTML editor workflows in React, sharing insights and experiences with each.
Whether you’re a seasoned developer or just starting out, these tools will help you build powerful applications.
1. Froala: The Ultimate WYSIWYG Editor
Let’s start with Froala, our favorite when it comes to visual HTML editors. Froala is a lightweight WYSIWYG editor that integrates seamlessly with React. It’s packed with features like rich text editing, image uploads, video embedding, and Markdown support.
Why we use Froala:
- Ease of use
- Customizability
- Performance
Despite its extensive feature set, Froala is fast because it’s optimized for modern web development.
You can install the react-froala-wysiwyg
package via NPM and integrate it into a React project with just a few lines of code. Froala’s documentation is also top-notch, making it easy to get started.
2. Draft.js: A Flexible Framework
Draft.js, built by Facebook Open Source, is more of a toolkit than a ready-to-use editor, giving users complete control over their editing experience.
What makes Draft.js stand out?
- Flexibility: Developers can build custom text editors from scratch.
- Extensibility: Custom plugins and decorators allow additional features.
However, if you’re looking for a quick, out-of-the-box solution, Draft.js might not be the best choice.
3. Quill: A Rich Text Editor
Quill is another great option for visual HTML editing in React. It’s an open-source WYSIWYG editor that’s highly customizable.
Why developers choose Quill:
- Modular architecture: Include only the features you need.
- Cross-browser compatibility: Ensures consistent behavior across major browsers.
- Custom formats and styles: Easily match the editor to your application’s design.
To use Quill in a React project, install the react-quill
package.
4. TinyMCE: A Feature-Rich Editor
TinyMCE is a WYSIWYG editor known for its extensive feature set and easy integration. It’s ideal for developers who need a full-featured editor without building one from scratch.
Key features of TinyMCE:
- Basic text formatting to advanced features like tables, code snippets, and spell-checking.
- Extendable with custom plugins for added functionality.
To integrate TinyMCE into a React project, use the tinymce-react
package. The extensive documentation and strong community support make it a solid choice.
5. Slate.js: A Customizable Editor
Slate.js is a framework for building rich text editors. Like Draft.js, it’s more of a toolkit than a plug-and-play solution.
What makes Slate.js unique?
- Custom data models: Define the structure and behavior of your editor.
- Built with React in mind: A natural fit for React developers.
However, Slate.js requires significant setup, so if you need a quick solution, this may not be the best option.
6. CKEditor: Real-Time Collaboration
CKEditor is a feature-rich WYSIWYG editor that includes real-time collaboration, making it ideal for multi-user applications.
Why CKEditor stands out:
- Modular architecture: Include only the necessary features.
- Accessibility-focused: Designed to be usable by all users.
To use CKEditor 5 in a React project, install the @ckeditor/ckeditor5-react
package.
7. ProseMirror: A Toolkit for Editors
ProseMirror is a versatile toolkit for building rich text editors. It offers fine-grained control over the editing experience.
Key advantages of ProseMirror:
- Schema-based design: Define content structure precisely.
- Real-time collaboration support.
- Extendable with custom plugins.
If you’re looking for an easy plug-and-play solution, ProseMirror may not be the best choice.
8. Editor.js: A Block-Based Editor
Editor.js is a modern, block-based editor gaining popularity for its unique approach to content editing.
Why choose Editor.js?
- Works with individual content blocks instead of a single document.
- Outputs content in JSON format, making it easy to store and manipulate.
- Supports custom blocks for added functionality.
Editor.js’s modern approach and flexibility make it a great choice for many projects.
9. React ContentEditable: A Simple Solution
For those needing a lightweight, no-frills solution, React ContentEditable is worth considering.
Pros:
- Minimal configuration required.
- Lightweight and easy to set up.
However, it lacks the advanced features found in more sophisticated editors.
10. Remirror: A React-First Editor Framework
Remirror is a React-first editor framework designed to be highly customizable and extensible. Built on top of ProseMirror, it combines its power with React’s simplicity.
Why developers love Remirror:
- Optimized for React development.
- Plugin-based architecture for extending functionality.
Its flexibility and React-first design make it a powerful tool for building custom editors.
Conclusion
More than a decade after React’s release, the landscape of visual HTML editors in 2025 is rich with tools catering to diverse development needs.
From lightweight solutions to highly customizable frameworks, developers have numerous options to enhance their workflow and create dynamic web applications.
From our experience, Froala stands out as the best all-around option due to its ease of use, performance, and customizability. However, each tool on this list has its strengths, and the right choice depends on your specific requirements.
We hope this article helps you find the perfect tool for your next project.
Happy coding! 🚀
Daniel Roncaglia
Marketing Associate for IderaDevTools and an experienced React developer that is passionate about WYSIWYG Editors
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