Leafpad Alternatives for Windows

Leafpad is not available for Windows but there are plenty of alternatives that runs on Windows with similar functionality. The best Windows alternative is Notepad++, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to Leafpad and loads of them are available for Windows so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Windows alternatives to Leafpad are Visual Studio Code, Sublime Text, VSCodium and Vim.

Leafpad alternatives are mainly Text Editors but may also be Code Editors or IDEs. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Leafpad.

Leafpad alternatives page was last updated

Leafpad

Free • Open Source
Text Editor

Leafpad is a lightweight text editor that emphasizes simplicity. As development focuses on keeping weight down to a...

More about Leafpad

Notepad++
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Text Editor
Code Editor
Windows
PortableApps.com
215 Notepad++ alternatives
Notepad++ is a free source code editor and Notepad replacement that supports several languages.
- - Notepad++ is the most popular Windows alternative to Leafpad.
- - Notepad++ is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Leafpad.
Suggest and vote on features
Notepad++ Features
1. LightweightNotepad++ consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Code FormattingNotepad++ supports code formatting for multiple languages and code styles.
3. PortableNotepad++ can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
4. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsNotepad++ can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
5. AutocompletionNotepad++ can predict and complete the rest of a word or phrase you're typing.
6. Support for MarkDownNotepad++ supports MarkDown for document formatting.
7. Syntax HighlightingNotepad++ supports syntax highlighting for various programming and markup languages.
8. Ad-freeNotepad++ doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
9. No Coding RequiredNotepad++ can be used without an coding or programming skills.
Tabbed interface
Text formatting
Search and Replace
Support for Javascript
Color coding
Multiple languages
Multiple Open Tabs
Configurable
Debugging
Built-in themes
Visual Studio Code
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Proprietary
Text Editor
Code Editor
IDE
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Chrome OS
188 Visual Studio Code alternatives
Visual Studio Code is a free and extensible code editor for building web, desktop, and mobile applications, using any programming language and framework.
- - Visual Studio Code is the most popular Web-based, Mac & Linux alternative to Leafpad.
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Visual Studio Code Features
1. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsVisual Studio Code can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
2. AutocompletionVisual Studio Code can predict and complete the rest of a word or phrase you're typing.
3. Syntax HighlightingVisual Studio Code supports syntax highlighting for various programming and markup languages.
4. Git SupportVisual Studio Code supports Git, a free and open source distributed version control system.
5. Support for ThemesYou can use themes and templates to change the look and feel of Visual Studio Code.
6. Dark ModeVisual Studio Code supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
7. Support for MarkDownVisual Studio Code supports MarkDown for document formatting.
8. WYSIWYG HTML EditorVisual Studio Code allows you to make and preview changes to an application or website in real time, without needing to know code.
9. WYSIWYG SupportVisual Studio Code integrates a WYSIWYG editor to edit the look and content of a document, page, or file.
Customizable
Built-in terminal emulation
Code Completion
Multiple languages
GitHub integration
Supports Python
Source code debugging
C++
Graphical User Interface
Auto Update
Sublime Text
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
Text Editor
Code Editor
IDE
Mac
Windows
Linux
188 Sublime Text alternatives
Sublime Text is a sophisticated text editor for code, html and prose - any kind of text file. You'll love the slick user interface and extraordinary features.
- - Sublime Text is the most popular commercial alternative to Leafpad.
Suggest and vote on features
Sublime Text Features
1. LightweightSublime Text consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsSublime Text can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
3. Syntax HighlightingSublime Text supports syntax highlighting for various programming and markup languages.
4. No TrackingSublime Text will not track you or use your personal data.
5. Dark ModeSublime Text supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
6. AutocompletionSublime Text can predict and complete the rest of a word or phrase you're typing.
7. Distraction-freeSublime Text has a distraction-free mode for when you need to focus.
8. PortableSublime Text can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Customizable
Package Control
Clean design
Multiple Cursors
Text editing
Font Ligature Support
Simple text editor
Tabbed interface
Code review
High-dpi support
Opinions about Sublime Text as a Alternative to Leafpad
Some users think Sublime Text is a great Leafpad alternative, some don't.
VSCodium
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Code Editor
IDE
Text Editor
Mac
Windows
Linux
Electron / Atom Shell
182 VSCodium alternatives
This repository contains a build file to generate FLOSS release binaries of Microsoft's Visual Studio Code - Open Source ("Code - OSS") project, the open source core of the proprietary Visual Studio Code.
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VSCodium Features
1. No TrackingVSCodium will not track you or use your personal data.
2. Privacy focusedVSCodium is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
3. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsVSCodium can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
4. Works OfflineVSCodium can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
5. AutocompletionVSCodium can predict and complete the rest of a word or phrase you're typing.
6. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in VSCodium without registration.
7. LightweightVSCodium consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
8. Syntax HighlightingVSCodium supports syntax highlighting for various programming and markup languages.
9. Support for MarkDownVSCodium supports MarkDown for document formatting.
Prevent telemetry
Customizable
Git integration
MIT License
Minimap
Clean design
Support for Themes
Code Formatting
Support for 64 bit
C++
Vim
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Text Editor
Code Editor
IDE
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
Haiku
AmigaOS
OpenSolaris
MorphOS
194 Vim alternatives
Vim ("Vi IMproved") is an advanced text editor that allows syntax highlighting, word completion and has a huge amount of contributed content. It also has a GUI version called GVim.
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Vim Features
1. LightweightVim consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsVim can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
3. Syntax HighlightingVim supports syntax highlighting for various programming and markup languages.
4. Command line interfaceVim either have CLI support or is a CLI-only app.
5. Works OfflineVim can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
6. Support for MarkDownVim supports MarkDown for document formatting.
7. Batch EditingVim allows you to select multiple items (tasks, files, images etc) and edit their properties all at once.
8. PortableVim can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
9. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Vim without registration.
Keyboard focused
Customizable
Hackable
Well documented
Configurable
Modal editor
Code Syntax Highlighting
Built-in terminal emulation
Terminal-based
Visual Mode
Comments about Vim as a Alternative to Leafpad
Some users think Vim is a great Leafpad alternative, some don't.
rescuezilla
I love vim, but it has an extremely steep learning curve and is terminal-based. Leafpad is a grandma-friendly graphical application for viewing and editing plain text files (in other words notepad.exe for Linux).
Negative comment•
1

Guest
Leafpad is GUI and very simple. Vim is a terminal based power tool. They are completely incomparable.
Negative comment•
1
gedit
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Text Editor
Code Editor
Mac
Windows
Linux
Chrome OS
BSD
GNOME
OpenSolaris
173 gedit alternatives
Official text editor of the GNOME desktop environment. Has syntax highlighting and is suitable for programming, with support for several languages. It is extensible with plugins.
Suggest and vote on features
gedit Features
1. Lightweightgedit consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Syntax Highlightinggedit supports syntax highlighting for various programming and markup languages.
3. Extensible by Plugins/Extensionsgedit can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
4. Privacy focusedgedit is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
5. Works Offlinegedit can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
6. Ad-freegedit doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
7. Autocompletiongedit can predict and complete the rest of a word or phrase you're typing.
8. Spell Checkinggedit can detect and correct all types of grammar and spelling mistakes.
Customizable
Support for Unicode
Opinions about gedit as a Alternative to Leafpad
Almost everyone thinks gedit is a great Leafpad alternative.
Neovim
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Text Editor
Code Editor
IDE
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
BSD
85 Neovim alternatives
Neovim is Vim out of the box.
- - Neovim is the most popular Android alternative to Leafpad.
Suggest and vote on features
Neovim Features
1. LightweightNeovim consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsNeovim can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
3. Syntax HighlightingNeovim supports syntax highlighting for various programming and markup languages.
4. AutocompletionNeovim can predict and complete the rest of a word or phrase you're typing.
Configurable
Lua scripting
Asynchronous
Terminal-based
Sane defaults
Vim
Kate
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Text Editor
Code Editor
IDE
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
KDE
130 Kate alternatives
The Kate project develops two main products: KatePart, the advanced editor component which is used in numerous KDE applications requiring a text editing component, and Kate, a MDI text editor application.
Suggest and vote on features
Kate Features
1. Syntax HighlightingKate supports syntax highlighting for various programming and markup languages.
2. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsKate can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
3. Git SupportKate supports Git, a free and open source distributed version control system.
4. LightweightKate consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
5. Support for MarkDownKate supports MarkDown for document formatting.
6. Code FormattingKate supports code formatting for multiple languages and code styles.
Native application
Themes
Editable text color schemes
Built-in terminal emulation
Tabbed interface
Built-in themes
Support for regular expressions
GNU nano
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Text Editor
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
Haiku
132 GNU nano alternatives
GNU nano is a small and friendly text editor. Besides basic text editing, nano offers many extra features like an interactive search and replace, go to line and column number, auto-indentation, feature toggles, internationalization support, and filename tab completion.
Suggest and vote on features
GNU nano Features
1. Command line interfaceGNU nano either have CLI support or is a CLI-only app.
Terminal-based
Search and Replace
Automatic Indentation
Comments about GNU nano as a Alternative to Leafpad
pros, cons and recent comments
rescuezilla
Nano is not a drop-in Leafpad replacement, but definitely suitable for users willing to use a terminal to view and edit plain text. It's lightweight and provides clear explanation on how to save/exit files. Nano is a great application for newbie Linux users to editing configuration files on headless machines like routers and server, since they don't need the advanced features and learning curve of Vim/vi.
Negative comment•
1
GNU Emacs
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Text Editor
Code Editor
IDE
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
BSD
F-Droid
Haiku
Homebrew
160 GNU Emacs alternatives
GNU Emacs is an extensible, customizable text editor—and more. At its core is an interpreter for Emacs Lisp, a dialect of the Lisp programming language with extensions to support text editing. The features of GNU Emacs include:
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GNU Emacs Features
1. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsGNU Emacs can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
2. Syntax HighlightingGNU Emacs supports syntax highlighting for various programming and markup languages.
3. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in GNU Emacs without registration.
4. Support for ThemesYou can use themes and templates to change the look and feel of GNU Emacs.
5. LightweightGNU Emacs consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
6. Support for scriptingGNU Emacs supports scripts and macros to automate or customize tasks.
7. No TrackingGNU Emacs will not track you or use your personal data.
8. Distraction-freeGNU Emacs has a distraction-free mode for when you need to focus.
9. Command line interfaceGNU Emacs either have CLI support or is a CLI-only app.
Extensibility
Customizable
Org-mode
Self-documenting
Multi OS
Editable text color schemes
Terminal-based
Works Offline
Spell Checking
Ad-free
Comments about GNU Emacs as a Alternative to Leafpad
pros, cons and recent comments
Guest
Leafpad is a simple GUI editor anyone can use. Emacs is a great power tool but is overkill for anything Leafpad would be appropriate for.
Negative comment•
0
Tomboy
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Todo List Manager
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
232 Tomboy alternatives
Tomboy is a desktop note-taking application for Linux, Unix, Windows, and Mac OS X. Simple and easy to use, but with potential to help you organize the ideas and information you deal with every day.
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Tomboy Features
1. Works OfflineTomboy can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
Wiki
Notebook
Symbolic links
Automatic link generation
Local Storage
Comments about Tomboy as a Alternative to Leafpad
pros, cons and recent comments
hogwash
tomboy is note taking app not an editor
Negative comment•
0

Guest
Leafpad is a text editor. Tomboy is a notetaking application. They have nothing whatsoever in common.
Negative comment•
1
Notepad
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Proprietary
Text Editor
Windows
128 Notepad alternatives
Fastest and lightweight simple text editor bundled with all Windows OS. Just plain text, saves in .txt format. So it has been used by people for long time Since 1980s. Features improved especially since 2018.
Suggest and vote on features
Notepad Features
1. LightweightNotepad consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
Minimalistic
Simple text editor
Support for Unicode
Save as txt
Bundled with Windows