GNU nano Alternatives

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 office & productivity category. There are more than 100 alternatives to GNU nano for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Linux, Mac, BSD and Chrome OS. The best alternative is Visual Studio Code, which is free. Other great apps like GNU nano are Notepad++, Sublime Text, VSCodium and Vim.

GNU nano 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 GNU nano.

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GNU nano

262

Free • Open Source
Text Editor

Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
Haiku

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

Learn more about GNU nano

Visual Studio Code
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Proprietary
Code Editor
Text Editor
IDE
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Chrome OS
189 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.
Suggest and vote on features
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. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Visual Studio Code without registration.
9. Code FormattingVisual Studio Code supports code formatting for multiple languages and code styles.
Customizable
Built-in terminal emulation
Code Completion
Multiple languages
GitHub integration
Source code debugging
Supports Python
C++
Graphical User Interface
Multiple Cursors
Visual Studio Code vs GNU nano
pros, cons and recent comments
Guest
Nano is a small command line editor and VS Code is a big heavy wanna-be-ide GUI app
Negative comment• ago

1
Notepad++
Is this 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.
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. Syntax HighlightingNotepad++ supports syntax highlighting for various programming and markup languages.
7. Live PreviewInstantly see what your files and documents look like as you create them.
Tabbed interface
Text formatting
Search and Replace
Support for Javascript
Color coding
Multiple languages
Debugging
Configurable
Multiple Open Tabs
Built-in themes
Notepad++ vs GNU nano
This alternative is disputed. Notepad++ is still a legitimate alternative to GNU nano, but it might have issues that some users think are important.
SecurityChecker
Notepad++ is a GUI text editor not a command line Text editor.
Negative comment• ago

8
Sublime Text
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
Text Editor
Code Editor
IDE
Mac
Windows
Linux
190 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.
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. 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 GNU nano
Some users think Sublime Text is a great alternative to GNU nano, some don't.
VSCodium
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Code Editor
Text Editor
IDE
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. 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. Support for ThemesYou can use themes and templates to change the look and feel of VSCodium.
9. Syntax HighlightingVSCodium supports syntax highlighting for various programming and markup languages.
Prevent telemetry
Customizable
Minimap
Git integration
MIT License
Clean design
Code Completion
Support for MarkDown
Support for Javascript
Git Support
Vim
Is this 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. Support for MarkDownVim supports MarkDown for document formatting.
6. Works OfflineVim can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
7. Batch EditingVim allows you to select multiple items (tasks, files, images etc) and edit their properties all at once.
8. Spell CheckingVim can detect and correct all types of grammar and spelling mistakes.
Keyboard focused
Customizable
Hackable
Well documented
Code Syntax Highlighting
Configurable
Modal editor
Built-in terminal emulation
Terminal-based
Plugin manager
Vim vs GNU nano
Most users think Vim is a great alternative to GNU nano.
Guest
Even better editing/navigating experience, good memory footprint and minimal startup time.
Positive comment• ago

1
Atom
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free Personal • Open Source
Text Editor
Code Editor
IDE
Mac
Windows
Linux
Chrome OS
BSD
Electron / Atom Shell
193 alternatives to Atom
Atom is an open-source, Electron based text editor with a massive ecosystem of plugins and themes that are easily accessible through a built-in package manager. Being built with Electron, it uses web technology (HTML, CSS, JavaScript and Node.
Suggest and vote on features
Atom Features
1. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsAtom can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
2. Git SupportAtom supports Git, a free and open source distributed version control system.
3. Support for ThemesYou can use themes and templates to change the look and feel of Atom.
4. Syntax HighlightingAtom supports syntax highlighting for various programming and markup languages.
5. Live PreviewInstantly see what your files and documents look like as you create them.
6. Distraction-freeAtom has a distraction-free mode for when you need to focus.
7. Dark ModeAtom supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
8. Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in Atom simultaneously.
9. AutocompletionAtom can predict and complete the rest of a word or phrase you're typing.
Customizable
Package Control
Community-based
Add-ons
GitHub integration
Clean design
Teletype
Hackable
Gitlab integration
Multiple languages
Discontinued
https://github.blog/2022-06-08-sunsetting-atom/"Sunsetting AtomWe are archiving Atom and all projects under the Atom organization for an official sunset on December 15, 2022."

Atom vs GNU nano
This alternative is disputed. Atom is still a legitimate alternative to GNU nano, but it might have issues that some users think are important.
superluminar
gnu nano is a small command line editor, atom a big-ish GUI based
Negative comment• ago

14
Geany
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Text Editor
Code Editor
IDE
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
PortableApps.com
Xfce
134 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
Kate
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Text Editor
Code Editor
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
KDE
126 alternatives to Kate
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. Code FormattingKate supports code formatting for multiple languages and code styles.
3. Support for MarkDownKate supports MarkDown for document formatting.
4. LightweightKate consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
Native application
Themes
Editable text color schemes
Built-in terminal emulation
Built-in themes
Support for regular expressions
Tabbed interface
Neovim
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Text Editor
Code Editor
IDE
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
BSD
82 alternatives to Neovim
Neovim is Vim out of the box.
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.
Configurable
Terminal-based
Asynchronous
Lua scripting
Sane defaults
Vim
gedit
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Text Editor
Code Editor
Mac
Windows
Linux
Chrome OS
BSD
GNOME
OpenSolaris
168 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