The standard TinyMCE editor that comes with Joomla handles basic tasks, but its capabilities are often insufficient for professional content work. Inconvenient image management, lack of inline editing, and a limited set of tools force many site owners to look for alternatives.
One of the most popular and feature-rich alternatives is ARK Editor (formerly known as JCK Editor). This is a WYSIWYG editor that radically changes the approach to content creation in Joomla. In this review, we will thoroughly examine all the features of ARK Editor, compare it with competitors, study user reviews, and provide step-by-step instructions for installation and setup.
Key Features of ARK Editor
ARK Editor stands out from other solutions due to its unique set of features, many of which are unavailable in standard editors.
One of the main highlights is inline editing — you can click on any element on the site and immediately change its content without going to the admin panel. This saves a lot of time and makes the process as visual as possible.
The editor is fully responsive, so adding and editing content from smartphones or tablets causes no difficulties — all buttons and elements adapt to the screen size.
You have three tabs at your disposal, allowing you to switch between the visual editor, direct code editing, and advanced insertion mode. This gives full control over content for users of any skill level.
Editing is available not only from the admin panel but also right on the frontend — your authors and managers will be able to edit materials without being distracted by switching to the backend.
ARK Editor works flawlessly with all styles, forms, tables, and complex structures you create. No layout distortions — only clean and correct code.
| Feature | Description | Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Inline Editing | Allows you to edit content elements directly on the site page without switching to a special mode. | Saves time, clarity, convenience for inexperienced users. |
| Drag-and-Drop Upload | Drag images and documents from the file explorer directly into the editor. | Instant file upload without extra clicks and searching in the media manager. |
| ARK Media Suite | Built‑in media manager with the ability to crop, change colour, and edit images online. | Full control over media files without using third‑party software. |
| Modern Interface | Windows Metro‑style interface, intuitive and responsive. | Pleasant appearance, easy learning, work on any device. |
| 15+ Plugins | Support for plugins to insert Google Maps, YouTube, syntax highlighting, and much more. | Extension of functionality for any tasks. |
| Auto‑save and Spell Check | Automatic saving of drafts and real‑time spell checking. | Content safety and improved text quality. |
| Customisable Toolbar | Ability to create different sets of buttons for admin and frontend parts. | Flexible configuration for different user groups. |
| Compatibility with Joomla 3, 4 and 5 | Full integration with the latest Joomla versions and support for the core media manager. | Security and relevance when updating the site. |
As can be seen from the table, ARK Editor is not just a replacement for TinyMCE, but a full‑fledged ecosystem for content management that covers all the basic needs of webmasters and content managers.
Comparison of ARK Editor with Main Competitors
There are several popular editors for Joomla on the market. To understand what makes ARK Editor better, let's compare it with the main competitors: TinyMCE (standard), JCE and CKEditor.
| Criteria | ARK Editor | TinyMCE (standard) | JCE | CKEditor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inline Editing | Yes | No | No | No |
| Drag‑and‑Drop Upload | Yes | No | Limited | No |
| Built‑in Media Manager | ARK Media Suite (full‑featured) | Joomla core only | Own manager | Requires CKFinder (paid) |
| Interface | Modern (Metro) | Classic | Classic | Classic |
| Setup Complexity | Medium | Low | High | Medium |
| Compatibility with Joomla 4/5 | Full | Full | Full | Full |
| Cost | Free version / Pro £57.50 | Free | Free / Pro | Free / CKFinder paid |
ARK Editor wins due to its unique features such as inline editing and a powerful media manager. It offers a modern interface and flexible settings, making it an ideal choice for those who value speed and ease of use.
Main Advantages of the Editor
- Visual editor — work with content in a "what‑you‑see‑is‑what‑you‑get" mode without extra technical details.
- Direct code editing — for experienced developers, a mode for working with raw HTML/CSS is available.
- Convenient elements and insertion of various forms — easily insert tables, images, videos, and other objects.
- Multiple ways to add content — classic, inline, drag‑and‑drop, via media manager — choose the most convenient one.
User Reviews
ARK Editor has a high rating in the Joomla Extensions Directory and many positive reviews. Here is what users say:
\u{201c}Amazing. Just....amazing. Great editing extension! Love every part of it, specially online editing.
\u{201c}Simple but powerful interface with many options. It have inline Editing, Media manager, User folders, great Editing tools. Support really fast, one of the best.
\u{201c}After using it in trial mode on several sites, I bought the full package as it solved so many problems my clients were having editing their sites. It even works on the front end.
Among the drawbacks, users sometimes note:
- Problems when updating to Joomla 4 with older versions (2.6.15).
- Possible conflicts with some extensions, for example, SP PageBuilder.
- Individual cases of CSS issues after installation/uninstallation.
It is important to use the latest version of ARK Editor and test it on a staging site before deploying to production.
Installation and Configuration of ARK Editor
The installation of ARK Editor is no different from installing any other Joomla extension. Follow this step‑by‑step guide:
Step 1: Download ARK Editor
Go to the official ARK Editor website or to the Joomla Extensions Directory and download the latest version of the editor.
Step 2: Install the extension
In the Joomla administrator panel, go to Extensions → Extension Manager. On the Upload Package File tab, select the downloaded ZIP file and click Upload & Install.
Step 3: Configure basic parameters
After installation, go to Extensions → Ark Editor. Here you can configure:
- Toolbar Mode — choose a set of buttons for the admin and frontend parts.
- Skin — choose a design (e.g., Office Metro).
- Use Template CSS Classes — enable CSS classes from your template.
- Location of Images/Documents — specify folders for file uploads.
- Enter Mode — select the insertion mode (P, BR, or Div).
- Height/Width — set the editor dimensions.
Step 4: Set ARK Editor as the default editor
Go to System → Global Configuration → Site tab. In the Default Editor field, select ARK Editor and save the changes.
Step 5: Install additional plugins (optional)
ARK Editor supports many plugins: for inserting Google Maps, YouTube, syntax highlighting, and others. You can download and install them via the Extension Manager.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is ARK Editor free?
Yes, there is a free version of ARK Editor with a basic set of features. For access to extended capabilities (e.g., support for third‑party templates and HTML modules), a paid version ARK Editor Pro is available for £57.50.
2. Is ARK Editor compatible with Joomla 5?
Yes, ARK Editor is compatible with Joomla 3, 4, and 5. When updating to Joomla 4 or 5, it is recommended to use the latest version of the editor and to remove old versions beforehand to avoid conflicts.
3. How to disable ARK Editor and revert to TinyMCE?
To disable ARK Editor, go to System → Global Configuration → Site tab and in the Default Editor field select TinyMCE. If you want to completely remove ARK Editor, use the Extension Manager, but note that removing the package may require additional actions.
4. Can I use ARK Editor on the frontend?
Yes, ARK Editor supports frontend editing, allowing users to edit content directly on the site pages without going to the admin panel.
5. How to update ARK Editor to the latest version?
Updating ARK Editor is done via the Joomla Extension Manager. Go to Extensions → Extension Manager → Updates tab. If an update is available, click the Update button next to ARK Editor.
6. What to do if ARK Editor conflicts with another extension?
In case of conflicts (for example, with SP PageBuilder), try disabling ARK Editor for specific components through the editor settings or temporarily switch to another editor. It is also recommended to contact ARK Editor support — they are known for their responsiveness.
Conclusion
ARK Editor is a powerful, modern, and convenient WYSIWYG editor that significantly expands Joomla's content management capabilities. Inline editing, drag‑and‑drop upload, advanced media manager, flexible settings, and compatibility with the latest Joomla versions make it an ideal choice for both professionals and beginners.
If you are tired of the limitations of the standard editor and want to speed up the process of creating and editing content — try ARK Editor. You will immediately feel the difference.
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