GNU nano AlternativesTop Text & Code Editors like GNU nano

GNU nano is described as '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' and is a very popular Text Editor in the development category. There are more than 100 alternatives to GNU nano for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Mac, Windows, BSD and Flathub apps. The best GNU nano alternative is Notepad++, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like GNU nano are VSCodium, Sublime Text, Vim and Neovim.

GNU nano iconGNU nano
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GNU nano is a small and friendly text editor. Besides basic text editing, nano offers many extra features like an...

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GNU nano alternatives page was last updated May 24, 2025
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  1. Notepad++ icon

    Notepad++

     4874 likes
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    Notepad++ is a free, open-source code editor supporting several languages, offering features like syntax highlighting, plugin support, dark mode, portability, privacy, and efficient resource usage, making it highly customizable and suitable for various programming needs.

    227 Notepad++ alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • FR flagFrance
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • PortableApps.com
    Notepad++ screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Configurable
    3.  Distraction-free

    Features

    1.  Code Formatting
    2.  Portable
    3.  Tabbed interface
    4.  Search and Replace
    5.  Text formatting
    6.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    7.  Multiple Open Tabs
    8.  Multiple languages
    9.  Color coding
    10.  Support for Javascript
    11.  Built-in themes
    12.  Auto-saving

    Notepad++ VS GNU nano

     
    Comments about Notepad++ as an Alternative to GNU nano
    SecurityChecker
    Negative Jul 17, 2018
    9

    Notepad++ is a GUI text editor not a command line Text editor.

    GNU nano Icon
    Notepad++ icon

    • This alternative is disputed. Notepad++ is a legitimate GNU nano alternative, but it might have issues that some users think are important.

    • Notepad++ is the most popular Windows alternative to GNU nano.

    • Notepad++ is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to GNU nano.

    • Notepad++ is Free and Open SourceGNU nano is also Free and Open Source
    • Notepad++ is LightweightGNU nano is not according to our users
  2. VSCodium icon

    VSCodium

     353 likes
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    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.

    192 VSCodium alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Electron
    VSCodium screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Customizable
    2.  Privacy focused
    3.  Support for Themes
    4.  Lightweight
    5.  Clean design

    Features

    1.  No Tracking
    2.  Prevent telemetry
    3.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    4.  Works Offline
    5.  No registration required
    6.  Autocompletion
    7.  Dark Mode
    8. Git icon  Git integration
    9.  Syntax Highlighting
    10.  MIT License
    11.  Ad-free
    12.  Minimap

    VSCodium VS GNU nano

     

    • VSCodium is the most popular Mac & Linux alternative to GNU nano.

    • VSCodium is Free and Open SourceGNU nano is also Free and Open Source
    • VSCodium is Customizable and Privacy focusedGNU nano is not according to our users
  4. Sublime Text icon

    Sublime Text

     2021 likes
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    Powerful editor blending code, markup, and prose editing with enhanced features like multi-tab selection, side-by-side definition viewing, and multiple selection tools for swift code navigation.

    190 Sublime Text alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • AU flagAustralia

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Sublime Text screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Customizable
    3.  Clean design
    4.  Distraction-free

    Features

    1.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    2.  Package Control
    3.  Syntax Highlighting
    4.  Text editing
    5.  Multiple Cursors
    6.  Dark Mode
    7.  No Tracking
    8.  Simple text editor
    9.  Tabbed interface
    10.  Support for MarkDown
    11.  Works Offline
    12.  No registration required

    Sublime Text VS GNU nano

     
    Comments about Sublime Text as an Alternative to GNU nano
    Guest
    Negative May 24, 2025
    0

    Sublime Text is not a command line text editor.

    GNU nano Icon
    Sublime Text icon

    • Some users think Sublime Text is a great GNU nano alternative, some don't.

    • Sublime Text is Freemium and ProprietaryGNU nano is Free and Open Source
    • Sublime Text is Lightweight and CustomizableGNU nano is not according to our users
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    EmEditor icon
    EmEditor

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    https://www.emeditor.com
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  6. Vim icon

    Vim

     1320 likes
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    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.

    205 Vim alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • NL flagNetherlands
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Haiku
    • AmigaOS
    • OpenSolaris
    • MorphOS
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    • Snapcraft
    Vim screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Keyboard focused
    3.  Customizable
    4.  Configurable

    Features

    1.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    2.  Syntax Highlighting
    3.  Hackable
    4.  Well documented
    5.  Modal editor
    6.  Command line interface
    7.  Works Offline
    8.  Support for MarkDown
    9.  No registration required
    10.  Portable
    11.  Batch Editing
    12.  Terminal-based

    Vim VS GNU nano

     
    Comments about Vim as an Alternative to GNU nano
    Guest
    Positive Sep 7, 2018
    1

    Even better editing/navigating experience, good memory footprint and minimal startup time.

    GNU nano Icon
    Vim icon

    • Most users think Vim is a great GNU nano alternative.

    • Vim is Free and Open SourceGNU nano is also Free and Open Source
    • Vim is Lightweight and CustomizableGNU nano is not according to our users
  7. Neovim icon

    Neovim

     179 likes
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    Refactored version of Vim, simplifying maintenance, improving developer contributions, and enabling new user interfaces. Features extensible plugin architecture, lightweight resource usage, syntax highlighting, no registration, ad-free, and distraction-free mode.

    96 Neovim alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Neovim screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Configurable
    3.  Distraction-free

    Features

    1.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    2.  Lua scripting
    3.  Terminal-based
    4.  Syntax Highlighting
    5.  Asynchronous
    6.  Sane defaults
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  No registration required
    9.  Autocompletion
    10.  Code Formatting

    Neovim VS GNU nano

     
  8. Zed Editor icon

    Zed Editor

     70 likes
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    Zed is a blazing fast, multi-user, productivity-focused text editor. From the creators of Atom, Electron and Tree-sitter, the editor features built-in Vim mode with tooltips for key-bindings, language-aware...

    75 Zed Editor alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Zed Editor screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Optimal performance
    3.  Support for Themes
    4.  Distraction-free

    Features

    1.  Syntax Highlighting
    2.  Autocompletion
    3.  Dark Mode
    4.  Built-in terminal emulation
    5.  Team Collaboration
    6.  Rust
    7.  Real time collaboration
    8.  No registration required
    9. Git icon  Git Support
    10.  Ad-free
    11.  Works Offline
    12.  Multiple Cursors

    Zed Editor VS GNU nano

     
  10. Geany icon

    Geany

     569 likes
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    Geany is a powerful, stable and lightweight programmer's text editor that provides tons of useful features without bogging down your workflow.

    145 Geany alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flatpak
    Geany screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Support for Themes
    3.  Minimalistic
    4.  Customizable
    5.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Multiplatform
    2.  Syntax Highlighting
    3.  Code navigation
    4.  Automatic Indentation
    5.  Shell integration
    6.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    7.  Ad-free
    8. LaTeX icon  Support for LaTeX
    9.  Hierarchical Structure
    10.  Live Preview
    11.  Debian package compatible
    12.  Shortcut keys

    Geany VS GNU nano

     
  11. Kate icon

    Kate

     296 likes
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    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.

    137 Kate alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • KDE Plasma
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    • Snapcraft
    Kate screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Native application
    2.  Themes
    3.  Syntax Highlighting
    4.  Built-in terminal emulation
    5.  Editable text color schemes
    6.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    7.  Tabbed interface
    8.  Code Formatting
    9. Git icon  Git Support
    10.  Support for MarkDown
    11.  Spell Checking
    12.  Full-Text Search

    Kate VS GNU nano

     
  12. GNU Emacs icon

    GNU Emacs

     379 likes
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    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:

    168 GNU Emacs alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • BSD
    • F-Droid
    • Haiku
    • Homebrew
    • Snapcraft
    • Debian
    • MacPorts
    The GNU Emacs Manual calls Emacs the extensible, customizable, self-documenting real-time display editor

    Properties

    1.  Customizable
    2.  Lightweight
    3.  Distraction-free

    Features

    1.  Extensibility
    2.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    3.  Org-mode
    4.  Self-documenting
    5.  Terminal-based
    6.  Syntax Highlighting
    7.  Support for scripting
    8.  Command line interface
    9.  No Tracking
    10.  Works Offline
    11.  Spell Checking
    12.  Ad-free

    GNU Emacs VS GNU nano

     

    • GNU Emacs is the most popular Android alternative to GNU nano.

    • GNU Emacs is Free and Open SourceGNU nano is also Free and Open Source
    • GNU Emacs is CustomizableGNU nano is not according to our users
  13. gedit icon

    gedit

     687 likes
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    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.

    183 gedit alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Chrome OS
    • BSD
    • GNOME
    • OpenSolaris
    • Flathub
    The Default look under GNOME with Adwaita

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused
    3.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Syntax Highlighting
    2.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    3.  No Tracking
    4.  Autocompletion
    5.  Works Offline
    6.  Spell Checking
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Support for Unicode

    gedit VS GNU nano

     
  14. Micro icon

    Micro

     79 likes
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    Micro is a terminal-based text editor that aims to be easy to use and intuitive, while also taking advantage of the full capabilities of modern terminals.

    39 Micro alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • FreeBSD
    • OpenBSD
    Micro screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  User friendly
    2.  Intuitive Interface
    3.  Lightweight
    4.  Distraction-free
    5.  Privacy focused
    6.  Support for Themes
    7.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Terminal-based
    2.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    3.  Zero configuration
    4.  Syntax Highlighting
    5.  Works Offline
    6.  No registration required
    7.  No Tracking
    8.  Ad-free
    9.  Portable
    10.  Plugin system
    11.  Color Palette
    12.  Lua scripting

    Micro VS GNU nano

     
    Comments about Micro as an Alternative to GNU nano
    surehand53
    Positive Jun 3, 2018
    3
    • beginner friendly
    • uses very sane keymap defaults (Ctrl-x, Ctrl-c, Ctrl-v)
    • short cut cheat sheet
    • excellent help build in
    • very capable text editor
    GNU nano Icon
    Micro icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Micro is a great GNU nano alternative.

    • Micro is Free and Open SourceGNU nano is also Free and Open Source
    • Micro is LightweightGNU nano is not according to our users
  15. Pulsar Editor icon

    Pulsar Editor

     46 likes
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    A Community-led Hyper-Hackable Text Editor, built on Electron. and based on everything we love about our favorite editors.

    67 Pulsar Editor alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Chrome OS
    • BSD
    • Electron
    Welcome tab

    Properties

    1.  Customizable
    2.  Clean design
    3.  Support for Themes
    4.  Distraction-free
    5.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    2.  Community-based
    3.  Hackable
    4.  Works Offline
    5.  No registration required
    6.  Multiple languages
    7.  Add-ons
    8.  Tabbed interface
    9.  Ad-free
    10.  Support for MarkDown
    11.  Dark Mode
    12. Git icon  Git Support

    Pulsar Editor VS GNU nano

     
12 of 145 GNU nano alternatives