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GNU Emacs

The extensible, free software editor you program in Emacs Lisp.

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About GNU Emacs

GNU Emacs is a free software text editor from the GNU Project, first released in the 1980s and still actively developed. At its core is an Emacs Lisp interpreter, so almost every part of the editor can be changed or extended, and users have built far more than editing on top of it: Org mode for notes and planning, Magit for Git, mail and news readers, a calendar, debugger front ends and more. Modern versions include native compilation, a built-in language server client, Tree-sitter modes, a package manager and full Unicode support. It runs on GNU/Linux, the BSDs, Windows, macOS, Haiku and Android. Emacs is licensed under the GPL and costs nothing. It suits people who want one programmable environment for code, writing and organising work and enjoy tailoring it; ready-made configurations like Doom Emacs and Spacemacs help newcomers. Its own keybindings and terminology take time to learn, and a heavily customised setup needs care.

Best for: People who want a single, endlessly programmable environment for code and text.

Pros and cons

What works

  • Customisable down to the core in Emacs Lisp
  • Org mode and Magit are standouts
  • Runs on almost every platform, including Android

Why people leave

  • Unusual keybindings and terminology to learn
  • Large configurations need ongoing care
  • Can feel slow compared with lean editors

Top GNU Emacs alternatives

See all 4
  1. 1Neovim logo
    Neovim

    Equally extensible, with Lua plugins and a faster modal editing model.

    81.5
  2. 2Vim logo
    Vim

    Lighter and available on nearly every server for quick edits.

    62.6
  3. 3Visual Studio Code logo
    Visual Studio Code

    Easier to start with, with extensions for most of what Emacs packages do.

    61.8
  4. 4Helix logo
    Helix

    A modern terminal editor that works well with no configuration at all.

    57.2

Why people left GNU Emacs

In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.

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GNU Emacs: common questions

Is GNU Emacs free?

Yes. GNU Emacs is free, open-source software.

Is GNU Emacs open source?

Yes.

What platforms does GNU Emacs run on?

GNU Emacs is available for Windows, macOS, Linux and Android.

What are the best alternatives to GNU Emacs?

The highest-ranked GNU Emacs alternatives right now are Neovim, Vim and Visual Studio Code. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.

See all 4 GNU Emacs alternatives