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Notepad Alternatives for Windows

There are many alternatives to Notepad for Windows if you are looking for a replacement. The best Windows alternative is Notepad++, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Notepad and loads of them are available for Windows so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Windows alternatives to Notepad are Sublime Text, Atom, Vim and Kate.

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

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  1. Notepad++ icon

    Notepad++

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    • Windows
    • PortableApps.com
    214 alternatives to Notepad++ 

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

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    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.
    Screenshot
    Screenshot
    Screenshot
    Notepad++ vs Notepad opinions
    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
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    Guest

    Feature-packed. If that's not enough, you can extend it even further with plugins.

    Positive comment• ago
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    2
    Guest

    Very good for writing code

    Positive comment• ago
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    0
  2. Sublime Text icon

    Sublime Text

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    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    188 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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    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.
    Edit side by side in widescreen
    Multiple Selections
    Sublime Text vs Notepad opinions
    Most users think Sublime Text is a great alternative to Notepad.
  4. Atom icon

    Atom

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    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Chrome OS
    • BSD
    • Electron / Atom Shell
    192 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.

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    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.  Live PreviewInstantly see what your files and documents look like as you create them.
    5.  Syntax HighlightingAtom supports syntax highlighting for various programming and markup languages.
    6.  Dark ModeAtom supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
    7.  Distraction-freeAtom has a distraction-free mode for when you need to focus.
    8.  AutocompletionAtom can predict and complete the rest of a word or phrase you're typing.
    9.  Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in Atom simultaneously.
    Discontinued

    Atom will be discontinued at the end of 2022: https://github.blog/2022-06-08-sunsetting-atom/

    Intro screen
    Command palette
    Atom vs Notepad opinions
    Most users think Atom is a great alternative to Notepad.
  5. Vim icon

    Vim

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    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Haiku
    • AmigaOS
    • OpenSolaris
    • MorphOS
    192 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
    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.  Support for MarkDownVim supports MarkDown for document formatting.
    5.  Command line interfaceVim either have CLI support or is a CLI-only app.
    6.  Spell CheckingVim can detect and correct all types of grammar and spelling mistakes.
    7.  Batch EditingVim allows you to select multiple items (tasks, files, images etc) and edit their properties all at once.
    Screenshot
    GVim with netrw+airlines+ctrlspace+xkb-switch+monokai theme+Source Pro font
  6. Kate icon

    Kate

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    • 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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    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.
    Screenshot
    Screenshot
  8. GNU nano icon

    GNU nano

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    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Haiku
    131 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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    Features
    1.  Command line interfaceGNU nano either have CLI support or is a CLI-only app.
    Screenshot
    Screenshot
  9. gedit icon

    gedit

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    • 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.

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    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.  Spell Checkinggedit can detect and correct all types of grammar and spelling mistakes.
    5.  Autocompletiongedit can predict and complete the rest of a word or phrase you're typing.
    The Default look under GNOME with Adwaita
    Screenshot
  10. GNU Emacs icon

    GNU Emacs

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    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Haiku
    • Homebrew
    158 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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    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.
    Emacs can compare two files and highlight their differences (M-x ediff)
    Screenshot
  11. Notepads icon

    Notepads

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    • Windows
    15 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
    Features
    1.  LightweightNotepads consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
    2.  Support for MarkDownNotepads supports MarkDown for document formatting.
    3.  Spell CheckingNotepads can detect and correct all types of grammar and spelling mistakes.
    4.  Dark ModeNotepads supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
    5.  Automatic BackupNotepads will automatically back up your data periodically.
    Screenshot
    Screenshot
    Screenshot
    Notepads vs Notepad opinions
    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
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    2
    burakyak

    Windows should just implement this as new notepad...

    Positive comment• ago
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    1
  12. CudaText icon

    CudaText

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    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    180 alternatives to CudaText 

    CudaText is a cross-platform text editor, written in Lazarus / Free Pascal.

     Suggest and vote on features
    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.
    Multi-selections, Replace dialog at bottom
    Dark theme, Minimap
Showing 10 of 84 alternatives
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