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Notepad++

Free, open-source Windows code editor and Notepad replacement.

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About Notepad++

Notepad++ is a free source code editor for Windows and one of the most widely installed Notepad replacements. Written in C++ on the Win32 API and built on the Scintilla editing component, it starts instantly and stays light even on old machines. It offers tabs, syntax highlighting and folding for dozens of languages, user-defined languages, regex search and replace across files, macro recording, split views, multi-editing and column selection, and a plugin manager that adds things like comparison, FTP editing and formatters. It is licensed under the GPL and maintained by its original author with community contributors, with frequent releases that include security fixes. It runs natively only on Windows; Mac and Linux users rely on Wine or alternatives. It is a great everyday tool for quick edits, config files, logs and small scripts, but it has no built-in language server support, debugging or AI features, so most developers use it alongside an IDE rather than instead of one.

Best for: Windows users who want a fast, free editor for quick edits, logs and scripts.

Pros and cons

What works

  • Free, open source and very light
  • Regex search across files and macro recording
  • Large plugin library via a built-in plugin manager

Why people leave

  • Windows only
  • No built-in language server or debugger
  • Interface looks dated

Top Notepad++ alternatives

See all 5
  1. 1Sublime Text logo
    Sublime Text

    Fast and cross-platform with excellent multi-cursor editing.

    79.8
  2. 2Visual Studio Code logo
    Visual Studio Code

    Free with IDE features and extensions, when quick edits turn into projects.

    68.8
  3. 3Kate logo
    Kate

    A free, open-source editor that also runs on Linux and macOS.

    59.6
  4. 4Geany logo
    Geany

    A light, free editor and IDE that runs on Windows, Linux and macOS.

    57.2
  5. 5micro logo
    micro

    A simple terminal editor for when you are on a server rather than a desktop.

    55.3

Why people left Notepad++

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Notepad++: common questions

Is Notepad++ free?

Yes. Notepad++ is free, open-source software.

Is Notepad++ open source?

Yes. The source code is on GitHub at notepad-plus-plus/notepad-plus-plus.

What platforms does Notepad++ run on?

Notepad++ is available for Windows.

What are the best alternatives to Notepad++?

The highest-ranked Notepad++ alternatives right now are Sublime Text, Visual Studio Code and Kate. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.

See all 5 Notepad++ alternatives