What are the best Notepad alternatives?

Notepad is described as 'Most simple text editor. Just plain text, saves in .txt format. Not available for download; bundled with all versions of Windows' and is a very popular Text Editor in the os & utilities category. There are more than 100 alternatives to Notepad for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, BSD and Haiku. The best alternative is Notepad++, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Notepad are Sublime Text, Vim, Kate and GNU nano.

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.

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Notepad

179

Free • Proprietary
Text Editor
Windows

Most simple text editor. Just plain text, saves in .txt format. Not available for download; bundled with all versions of...

Learn more about Notepad

Notepad++
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Text Editor
Code Editor
Windows
PortableApps.com
215 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 Notepad
Most users think Notepad++ is a great alternative to Notepad.
Guest
Yeah it's better than Windows' notepad, feature rich and dark mode support.
Positive comment• ago

0

Guest
Feature-packed. If that's not enough, you can extend it even further with plugins.
Positive comment• ago

2

Guest
Very good for writing code
Positive comment• ago

0
Sublime Text
Is this 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 Notepad
Most users think Sublime Text is a great alternative to Notepad.
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
Kate
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Text Editor
Code Editor
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
KDE
127 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.
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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. LightweightKate consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
4. Support for MarkDownKate supports MarkDown for document formatting.
5. Git SupportKate supports Git, a free and open source distributed version control system.
6. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsKate can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
Native application
Editable text color schemes
Themes
Built-in terminal emulation
Tabbed interface
Built-in themes
Support for regular expressions
GNU nano
Is this 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.
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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
gedit
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Text Editor
Code Editor
Mac
Windows
Linux
Chrome OS
BSD
GNOME
OpenSolaris
169 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
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
159 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:
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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. 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
CudaText
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Text Editor
Code Editor
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
181 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
Notepads
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Text Editor
Code Editor
Windows
14 alternatives to Notepads
Considering that most text editors are eather too heavy or look too old, the author came up with Notepads, designed to be a modern-looking UWP app.
Suggest and vote on features
Notepads Features
1. LightweightNotepads consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Dark ModeNotepads supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
3. Support for MarkDownNotepads supports MarkDown for document formatting.
4. Ad-freeNotepads doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
5. Automatic BackupNotepads will automatically back up your data periodically.
6. Distraction-freeNotepads has a distraction-free mode for when you need to focus.
7. Spell CheckingNotepads can detect and correct all types of grammar and spelling mistakes.
Tabbed interface
Themes
Multiple languages
Notepads vs Notepad
pros, cons and recent comments
WolfIcefang
Notepads makes a real attempt to integrate with Windows 10 and work as a modern Notepad app. It installs from the Microsoft Store, it loads almost instantly, and it implements Fluent Design elements. This app made such a good first impression that I've already uninstalled Microsoft's built in Notepad app. It may not be the "best text editor", but it is the best alternative for Windows 10's Notepad.
Positive comment• ago

2

burakyak
Windows should just implement this as new notepad...
Positive comment• ago

1
Notepad3
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Text Editor
Code Editor
IDE
Windows
195 alternatives to Notepad3
Notepad3 is a fast and light-weight Scintilla-based text editor with syntax highlighting. It has a small memory footprint, but is powerful enough to handle most programming jobs.
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.
Support for Unicode
Multiple languages
Small-footprint
Search and Replace
Support for regular expressions
Support for Right-to-Left
Notepad3 vs Notepad
pros, cons and recent comments
xahkyen
It's the best alternative that I was looking for: more powerful, while being lightweight, simply to use and full with useful features.
Positive comment• ago

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