With so many server and client-side technologies in action today, very few people can simply load up Notepad and bash out a slick website in a few minutes. While it's true that a GUI is always useful for coding pages, you needn't necessarily plump for a strictly WYSIWYG editor.

AceHTML is a popular choice for many web developers - and it's easy to see why. The application is packed to the brim with features that will help you whip your code into something that will turn heads online. Now in its sixth incarnation, the program contains support not only for HTML but also for major scripting platforms such as PHP, ASP and CSS.

The app boasts all the tools you'd expect from a web editor, along with many that you wouldn't, especially given the price point of the full version. We're a particular fan of the Code Snippets panel, which gives you access to common commands and saves lots of wasted time in the process. The rigorous link validation and syntax checking features are also something worth praising.

AceHTML is more powerful than most of its rivals and while the interface looks a little daunting at first, it doesn't take long to work out where all those juicy features lurk. We'd be tempted to enter the program into the shareware hall of fame were it not for a few annoying bugs that crop up from time to time, especially when inserting images. However, this is still a tool that can make the difference between a site that's OK and one that looks and feels highly professional.