TextEdit vs. Pages

The writer rarely uses word processors, preferring plain-text editors and tools such as Markdown or LaTeX for most writing. But for occasional documents that need a different look - such as personal notes or practical instructions - a word processor makes it easier to adjust fonts, spacing, and margins. After trying TextEdit, the writer decides to keep using Pages, mainly because its interface and document setup better fit those needs. Both apps have toolbars, but TextEdit’s cannot be hidden or customized, while Pages keeps its toolbar in the title bar and lets users choose its buttons. Pages’ formatting sidebar has confusingly named sections, though it can be hidden when unnecessary.

TextEdit’s built-in zoom commands offer only large jumps, which the writer finds inconvenient; a reader later points out that trackpad pinching provides another way to zoom. Pages still has an edge because users can set a default zoom for new documents. More importantly, Pages supports reusable templates, including a customized “Big Note” design with specified body and heading fonts and bulleted-list indentation. TextEdit allows custom styles but not saved templates. The writer acknowledges TextEdit’s lower memory use, but considers that unimportant on a Mac with ample RAM. Since Pages is free, its price also does not tip the decision toward TextEdit, though a future requirement to pay for Apple’s Creator Studio could change that.