Notepad++ Alternatives

Notepad, which is built to every computer running Windows, is a useful tool for jotting down quick, well, notes or ideas that can be easily saved, accessed, and shared. That said, it is a very basic program with little in the way of formatting options. In fact, until Windows 10, it didn't even support one of the most basic formatting options in the form of Word Wrap. Luckily, Notepad++ addresses the need for a more robust yet accessible text tool.

Notepad++ can be considered a sort of jack of all trades. With this comes a sort of added complexity. Simpler programs can be found in Notepad and its alternatives, though you would be giving up features that Notepad++ offers: features like autocompletion, support for multiple languages, and a variety of formatting options.

As Notepad++ is a Windows exclusive app, it may be necessary to use alternatives available on macOS and Linux.

If you're looking for a text editor more focused on having a featureset comparable to an integrated development environment, software like Geany and its alternatives might be more your speed.

Notepad++ 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 Notepad++.

This page was last updated

Notepad++

4717

Free • Open Source
Text Editor

Windows
PortableApps.com

Notepad++ is a free source code editor and Notepad replacement that supports several languages.

Learn more about Notepad++

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 Notepad++
Almost everyone thinks Sublime Text is a great alternative to Notepad++.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
Akoot
Better looking UI and it's available across all platforms. Also, Package Control is amazing
Top positive comment• ago

12

Guest
It's fast and has powerful editor features. Usability and UX of Sublime Text are just outstanding.
Top positive comment• ago

7

NuncioBitis
Sublime Text is too slow, big, and heavy, and a memory hog.
Top negative comment• ago

0

Hexaae
Crazy pricing. June 2022: 99$/3yrs
Positive comment• ago

0

smsppakistan
I haven't used Sublime Text but I've use Notepad++ and found it to be really useful! Will definitely try Sublime Text now that I know it is an alternative.
Positive comment• ago

0

Guest
Support for many languages, good debugging without any plugins.
Positive comment• ago

-1

kylepiira
Both are native text editors that don't use Electron
Positive comment• ago

2

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7 of 19 comments
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
Multiple Cursors
C++
Theme Customization
Visual Studio Code vs Notepad++
Most users think Visual Studio Code is a great alternative to Notepad++.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
swood544
Very nice and fresh software for source code editing with a lot of features
Top positive comment• ago

16

avitalbennatan
Incredibly performant and versatile editor. With the feeling of an editor and the power of an IDE
Top positive comment• ago

7

Guest
Yet another simple tool reimplemented in the extremely bloated Electron framework. No thanks.
Top negative comment• ago

39

aaronfranke
Visual Studio Code can do everything Notepad++ does but better. It has more features, is very extensible and customizable, has a great dark default theme, is cross-platform, and is fairly lightweight.
Positive comment• ago

0

RedTrillix
Its quite a big application, and if you wanna just edit a config file or text document, you dont want a big, slower application running.

Its a good coding app for projects and stuff, but not if you want to make a simple edit.
Negative comment• ago

4

Hau_Kai
It's more than just an environment to view code with highlighting. It is a basic yet complete coding environment to write and run code.
Positive comment• ago

0

Guest
Visual Studio Code is great but it is heavy and complex. Not a good replacement for simple GUI text editor with macro support which is Notepad++.
Negative comment• ago

2

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7 of 18 comments
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
190 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 Notepad++
Some users think Atom is a great alternative to Notepad++, some don't.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
Guest
Despite sometimes high demanding (for an text editor), good as an Editor/IDE.
Top positive comment• ago

3

Guest
Atom is a text editor that provides an all in one solution to all the absolute basic needs today's modern world expects in a notepad replacement. Sleek UI, extensible, cross-platform, and, actively developed, Atom is the defacto choice for the vast majority when wanting to replace notepad/NotePad++ with an editor that packs a real punch in default capabilities and usefulness.
Top positive comment• ago

-1

Guest
What should be a simple application is implemented in the extremely bloated Electron framework. No thanks, I'll take something native.
Top negative comment• ago

95

D33pSh33p
Feels bloated and sluggish compared to Notepad++. It makes my laptop sad when doing lots of multitasking. That's the main reason I don't use it.
Negative comment• ago

2

NuncioBitis
Too slow, big, and heavy, and a memory hog.
Negative comment• ago

1

lian00
I tried Atom and it’s probably the most heavy code editor I ever met (more than 1 Go installed).
Positive comment• ago

1

edapm
Notepad++ has a dated feel about it. Atom is lightweight, and feels modern and slick.
Positive comment• ago

1

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7 of 18 comments
Vim
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Text Editor
Code Editor
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
Haiku
AmigaOS
OpenSolaris
MorphOS
194 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 Notepad++
Most users think Vim is a great alternative to Notepad++.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
marcinkowalski
Serves same purpose, similar features, different approach, multiplatform, ubiquitous.
Top positive comment• ago

6

Guest
Fastest in use. You can improve your productivity and performance when writing.
Top positive comment• ago

1

Guest
Vim is a console app and require to know its commands to use it, while Notepad++ is UI driven, anyone can use it.
Top negative comment• ago

27

Xandros
Notepad++ is a gui application, while vim is strictly for terminals.
Negative comment• ago

0

RemovedUser
Although it runs as a GUI, you still need to know the vi commands. Unless you don't mind using the menu bar to do everything.
Negative comment• ago

-1

superluminar
vim is a console app and relies on a special keyboard command syntax which users need to learn and know. It is already a joke that people do not manage to remember how to quit vi(m) not to mention all the other things people might not remember about the commands.
Negative comment• ago

-5

Guest
I like to use the vim command line version on windows it feels pretty minimalistic and its appearance gives the impression it goes right to the job of editing text
Positive comment• ago

2

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7 of 9 comments
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
Geany vs Notepad++
Almost everyone thinks Geany is a great alternative to Notepad++.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
Resdek
Free, lightweight, multi platform, open source, customizable. What more do you want?
Top positive comment• ago

11

jovin
Simple, lightweight. But there're syntax highlighting and code completion.
Top positive comment• ago

10

logixoul
Breaks some of my basic workflows. E.g. can't drop files onto the Geany window (to open them), can't use F3 for "find next"... OTOH the UI is nice and sleek.
Top negative comment• ago

0

AntumDeluge
So far Geany is the best cross-platform alternative to Notepad++ I have tried. Its UI isn't hard to figure out & has a similar feel.
Positive comment• ago

0

projjal
It's lightweight, fast and more customizable than Notepad++, and have basic IDE-like features, which are useful for programmer-users.
Positive comment• ago

0

Guest
Fast, lightweight, functional.
Positive comment• ago

0

niezniszczalny
Has the same features + some more features than Notepad++. And It's Free Software, on GPL license - huge PLUS for this! ++++
Positive comment• ago

2

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gedit
Is this 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 Notepad++
Most users think gedit is a great alternative to Notepad++.
Guest
Gedit can't fold code, can't make ident lines, and the ident is strange!
Negative comment• ago

10

Guest
Some essential plugins missing especially around code formatting tools
Negative comment• ago

3

rmpbklyn
no sorting and don't reconize regular expression when 'replace' or search
Negative comment• ago

5
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
Kate vs Notepad++
Almost everyone thinks Kate is a great alternative to Notepad++.
ricjac
Great syntax highlighting, and good plugin support. Fast and easy to use.
Positive comment• ago

8

Guest
lightweight, code syntax highlighting, regex find and replace
Positive comment• ago

1

Ugotsta
Kate is also open-source like Notepad++ and likewise runs at the speed of a native app. Features align pretty nicely between the two, but Kate runs natively on all desktops, not just Windows. Same workflow on Windows, Mac and Linux.
Positive comment• ago

2
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)
177 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.
Suggest and vote on features
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
VSCodium vs Notepad++
pros, cons and recent comments
aaronfranke
VS Codium does everything Notepad++ can do but better. It has more features, is more extensible/customizable, is fairly lightweight, and is cross-platform.
Positive comment• ago

1

Guest
The power of Visual Studio without all the tracking of Microsoft in a simple and intuitive layout
Positive comment• ago

1
GNU Emacs
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Text Editor
Code Editor
IDE
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
Haiku
Homebrew
Android
F-Droid
160 alternatives to GNU Emacs
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:
Suggest and vote on features
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. Support for scriptingGNU Emacs supports scripts and macros to automate or customize tasks.
Extensibility
Customizable
Org-mode
Self-documenting
Multi OS
IDE All Languages
Code Completion
Editable text color schemes
Terminal-based
Package Control
GNU Emacs vs Notepad++
Most users think GNU Emacs is a great alternative to Notepad++.
Guest
Emacs is a security hazard and its usage implies a certain political opinion.
Negative comment• ago

0

Guest
Emacs is the be-all-end-all text editor. It takes a while to learn, but its code and text editing commands are extremely powerful. There's also a package manager for things like auto completion, automatic running, and more language support.
Positive comment• ago

3

Guest
I don't want a fake psychologist nor to play tetris, I really just want a powerful IDE.
Negative comment• ago

1
Neovim
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Text Editor
Code Editor
IDE
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
BSD
83 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
Neovim vs Notepad++
Most users think Neovim is a great alternative to Notepad++.