Mousepad Alternatives for Windows

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

Mousepad 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 Mousepad.

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Mousepad

Free • Open Source
Text Editor

Linux
BSD
Xfce
Flathub

A simple text editor for the Xfce desktop environment. Mousepad aims to be an easy-to-use and fast editor for quickly...

Learn more about Mousepad

Visual Studio Code
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Proprietary
Text Editor
Code Editor
IDE
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Chrome OS
184 alternatives to Visual Studio Code
Visual Studio Code is a free and extensible code editor for building web, desktop, and mobile applications, using any programming language and framework.
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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. Live PreviewInstantly see what your files and documents look like as you create them.
9. 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.
Customizable
Built-in terminal emulation
Code Completion
Multiple languages
GitHub integration
Supports Python
C++
Source code debugging
Graphical User Interface
Multiple Cursors
Visual Studio Code vs Mousepad opinions
pros, cons and recent comments
AdinanCenci
Visual Studio Code is a professional tool for programmers and developers, Mousepad is a bare bones text editor.
Negative comment•
1

Guest
It's heavy-weight while Mousepad is as lightweight as it can possibly get
Negative comment•
0
Notepad++
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Text Editor
Code Editor
Windows
PortableApps.com
216 alternatives to Notepad++
Notepad++ is a free source code editor and Notepad replacement that supports several languages.
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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. Syntax HighlightingNotepad++ supports syntax highlighting for various programming and markup languages.
6. Full-Text SearchNotepad++ lets you search for specific words or phrases from inside a document or database.
7. No Coding RequiredNotepad++ can be used without an coding or programming skills.
8. Ad-freeNotepad++ doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
9. AutocompletionNotepad++ can predict and complete the rest of a word or phrase you're typing.
Tabbed interface
Text formatting
Search and Replace
Support for Javascript
Color coding
Multiple languages
Multiple Open Tabs
Configurable
Debugging
Auto-saving
Notepad++ vs Mousepad opinions
pros, cons and recent comments
AdinanCenci
Notepad++ is a professional tool for programmers and developers, Mousepad is a bare bones text editor.
Negative comment•
0
VSCodium
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Code Editor
IDE
Text Editor
Mac
Windows
Linux
Electron / Atom Shell
Code - OSS (vscode)
178 alternatives to VSCodium
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. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in VSCodium without registration.
6. AutocompletionVSCodium can predict and complete the rest of a word or phrase you're typing.
7. LightweightVSCodium consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
8. Support for ThemesYou can use themes and templates to change the look and feel of VSCodium.
9. Support for MarkDownVSCodium supports MarkDown for document formatting.
Prevent telemetry
Customizable
Git integration
Minimap
MIT License
Clean design
Syntax Highlighting
Dark Mode
C++
Support for Javascript
VSCodium vs Mousepad opinions
pros, cons and recent comments
AdinanCenci
VSCodium is a professional tool for programmers and developers, Mousepad is a bare bones text editor.
Negative comment•
1
Sublime Text
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
Text Editor
Code Editor
IDE
Mac
Windows
Linux
189 alternatives to Sublime Text
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.
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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. Dark ModeSublime Text supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
5. Distraction-freeSublime Text has a distraction-free mode for when you need to focus.
6. PortableSublime Text can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
7. AutocompletionSublime Text can predict and complete the rest of a word or phrase you're typing.
Customizable
Package Control
Multiple Cursors
Clean design
Text editing
Font Ligature Support
Simple text editor
Code review
High-dpi support
Git integration
Sublime Text vs Mousepad opinions
pros, cons and recent comments
Guest
Paid, not general-purpose
Negative comment•
0
Vim
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Text Editor
Code Editor
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
Haiku
AmigaOS
OpenSolaris
MorphOS
193 alternatives to Vim
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.
Suggest and vote on features
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. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Vim without registration.
9. PortableVim can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Keyboard focused
Customizable
Hackable
Well documented
Code Syntax Highlighting
Configurable
Modal editor
Terminal-based
Built-in terminal emulation
Visual Mode
Vim vs Mousepad opinions
pros, cons and recent comments
Guest
Mousepad is a GUI text editor; Vim is a command line based editor. Both are great in their own ways but they are used in completely different contexts.
Negative comment•
4

Guest
An absolutely beautiful-yet-minimalist hotkey-based editing setup, legendary extensibility, and outstanding community support & extensions.

...In other words: it's freakin' awesome!!
Positive comment•
1

AdinanCenci
Vim is a professional tool for programmers and developers, Mousepad is a bare bones text editor.
Negative comment•
0
Geany
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Text Editor
Code Editor
IDE
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
PortableApps.com
Xfce
135 alternatives to Geany
Geany is a small and lightweight Integrated Development Environment. It was developed to provide a small and fast IDE, which has only a few dependencies from other packages. Another goal was to be as independent as possible from a special Desktop Environment like KDE or GNOME -...
Suggest and vote on features
Geany Features
1. LightweightGeany consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Support for ThemesYou can use themes and templates to change the look and feel of Geany.
3. Syntax HighlightingGeany supports syntax highlighting for various programming and markup languages.
4. Ad-freeGeany doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
5. Distraction-freeGeany has a distraction-free mode for when you need to focus.
6. Spell CheckingGeany can detect and correct all types of grammar and spelling mistakes.
7. PortableGeany can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Multiplatform
Minimalistic
Code navigation
Shell integration
Automatic Indentation
Debian package compatible
Shortcut keys
Support for Large File
Built-in terminal emulation
Customizable
Geany vs Mousepad opinions
Most users think Geany is a great alternative to Mousepad.
Guest
Notepad is a text editor; Geany is an IDE. Recommending it to someone looking for a text editor is like, you ask me for a butter knife and I hand you a chainsaw.
Negative comment•
-1

cryoff
Vertical selection, speed
Positive comment•
0
GNU nano
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Text Editor
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
Haiku
132 alternatives to GNU nano
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
GNU nano vs Mousepad opinions
pros, cons and recent comments
Guest
Notepad is GUI based, Nano is terminal based. I love Nano and use it lots but apples and oranges.
Negative comment•
2
gedit
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Text Editor
Code Editor
Mac
Windows
Linux
Chrome OS
BSD
GNOME
OpenSolaris
170 alternatives to gedit
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
gedit vs Mousepad opinions
pros, cons and recent comments
AdinanCenci
Both are simple text editors, although gedit have more features
Positive comment•
0
CudaText
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Text Editor
Code Editor
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
182 alternatives to CudaText
CudaText is a cross-platform text editor, written in Lazarus / Free Pascal.
Suggest and vote on features
CudaText Features
1. LightweightCudaText consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsCudaText can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
3. AutocompletionCudaText can predict and complete the rest of a word or phrase you're typing.
Native application
Customizable
Minimap
Command palette
Notepad3
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Text Editor
Code Editor
IDE
Windows
196 alternatives to Notepad3
Notepad3 is a lightweight text editor with the many features: code folding, bracket matching, automatic indentation, word auto-completion, convert character encoding between various formats (ASCII, UTF-8, and UTF-16), newline format conversion (between DOS (CR/LF), Unix (LF)...
Suggest and vote on features
Notepad3 Features
1. LightweightNotepad3 consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. PortableNotepad3 can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
3. Syntax HighlightingNotepad3 supports syntax highlighting for various programming and markup languages.
4. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Notepad3 without registration.
5. Ad-freeNotepad3 doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
6. Support for ThemesYou can use themes and templates to change the look and feel of Notepad3.
7. Works OfflineNotepad3 can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
Support for Unicode
Multiple languages
Small-footprint
Search and Replace
Support for regular expressions
Support for Right-to-Left