10 Best Notepad++ Alternatives for Windows, Mac, Linux (2021)
Notepad++ is an open source code editor written in C++. It supports various programming languages running under the Microsoft Windows environment.
It supports syntax highlighting for languages like PHP, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. But it has a few drawbacks.
Here is a curated list of Top Code Editor alternatives that can replace Notepad++. This list includes commercial (paid) as well as open-source (free) code editors (IDE) with popular features and the latest download link.
Top Alternatives to Notepad++ for Windows, Mac, Linux
| Name | Platform | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Atom | Mac, Windows, Linux | Learn More |
| Kite | Mac, Windows, Linux | Learn More |
| Emacs | Mac, Windows, Linux | Learn More |
| NetBeans | Mac, Windows, Linux | Learn More |
| jEdit | Mac, Windows, Linux | Learn More |
1) Atom
Atom is useful code editor tool preferred by programmers due to its simple interface compared to the other editors. Atom users can submit packages and them for the software.
Price: Free
Platform: Mac, Windows, Linux
Features:
- Package Manager Integrated for Plugins support
- The feature of smart autocompletion
- This Notepad++ alternative supports Command Palette
- Multiple panes
- Allow cross-platform editing
Download link: https://atom.io/
2) Kite
Kite is IDE for Notepad++ that automatically completes multiple line codes. This editor supports more than 16 languages. It helps you to code faster with no hassle.
Price: Free
Platform: Mac, Windows, Linux
Features:
- It offers Java documentation.
- This editor provides a function signature as you type.
- You will get a tooltip on mouse hover.
- Provides support in email.
- Uses machine learning models for Java language.
3) Emacs
Emacs is a Unix based text editor tool which is used by programmers, engineers, students, and system administrators. It is one of the best Notepad++ alternatives that allows you to add, modify, delete, insert, words, letters, lines, and other units of text.
Price: Free
Platform: Mac, Windows, Linux
Features:
- This alternative to Notepad++ provides complete built-in documentation
- Full Unicode support for many human scripts
- Highly customizable, using Emacs Lisp code.
- A packaging system for installing and downloading extensions
Download link: https://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/
4) NetBeans
NetBeans is an open-source code editor tool for developing with Java, PHP, C++, and other programming languages. With this editor, code analyzers, and converters. This code editor is better than Notepad++ and it allows you to upgrade your applications to use new Java 8 language constructs.
Price: Free
Platform: Mac, Windows, Linux
Features:
- Easy & Efficient Project Management
- This Notepad++ alternative offers fast & Smart Code Editing
- Rapid User Interface Development
- Helps you to write bug-free code
Download link: https://netbeans.org
5) jEdit
jEdit, a code editor program which is written in Java. This open source tool supports hundreds of plugins and macros. It offers a large collection of plugins maintained by a worldwide developer team.
Price: Free
Platform: Mac, Windows, Linux
Features:
- Built-in macro language & extensible plugin architecture
- This Notepad++ alternative for Mac allows copy and paste with an unlimited number of clipboards
- You can download plugins with the help of the plugin manager.
- Register contents are saved across editing sessions.
- Allows auto indent, and syntax highlighting over 200 languages
Download link: http://www.jedit.org/
6) Geany
Geany is a text editor which uses GTK+ toolkit. It also has certain basic features of an integrated development environment. The tool supports many filetypes and has some nice features.
Price: Free
Platform: Mac, Windows, Linux
Features:
- This Notepad++ alternative Linux allows you to add a note for applying the indent settings in the project preferences
- Navigating through the source code
- Allows popup menu on message window notebooks and sidebar
- Show status message on attempt to execute empty context action
Download link: https://www.geany.org
7) TextMate
TextMate is a versatile plain text editor for mac with unique and innovative features. The tool offers support for many programming languages, writing prose in structured formats such as blogging, running SQL queries, writing screenplays, etc.
Price: Free
Platform: Mac
Features:
- Auto-Indent for Common Actions
- CSS-like Selectors to find the Scope of Actions and Settings
- Dynamic Outline for Working With Multiple Files
- Function Pop-up for Quick Overview and Navigation
- Run Shell Commands from Within a Document
- Visual Bookmarks to Jump Between Places in a File
Download link: https://macromates.com/
8) VIM
Vim is an advanced text editor open source tool which is also considered to be an IDE in its way. This tool allows managing your text editing activities with vim editors and UNIX System which can be used on-premise or online.
Price: Free
Platform: Mac, Windows, Linux
Features:
- Extensive plugin support
- Powerful search and replace
- Integrates with many tools
- Macro recording and playback
- Support for hundreds of programming languages and file formats
Download link: https://www.vim.org/
9) Light Table
Light Table is an IDE and text editor tool for software development. The tool offers fast feedback and allowing instant execution, debugging and access to documentation.
Price: Free
Platform: Mac, Windows, Linux
Features:
- Inline Evaluation
- Light Table is a lightweight, clean, and sleek interface.
- Powerful editing and plugin manager
- The feature of println to keep track of critical values in your code
Download link: http://lighttable.com/
10) Brackets
Brackets is a lightweight tool developed by Adobe. It is an open source text editor which is free to download. It allows you to a toggle between your source code and the browser view.
Price: Free
Platform: Mac, Windows, Linux
Features:
- Quick Edit UIfeature puts context-specific code and tools inline
- This Notepad++ alternative for Windows offers live preview, preprocessor support, and inline editors
- Pleasant looking UI
- Especially developed tool for macOS
- It comes with the inbuilt extension manager for fast & effective extension management.
Download link: http://brackets.io/
11) Bluefish
Bluefish a is a cross-platform editor is a speedy tool which can handle dozens of files simultaneously. The tool allows developers to conduct remote editing. This code editor tool offers many options to s programmers and web developers, to write websites, scripts, and programming code.
Price: Free
Platform: Mac, Windows, Linux
Features:
- This Notepad plus plus alternative loads hundreds of files within seconds
- Auto-recovery of changes in modified documents after a crash, kill or shutdown.
- Project support feature helps you to work efficiently on multiple projects.
- Unlimited undo/redo functionality.
Download link: http://bluefish.openoffice.nl/index.html
FAQ
❓ What is Code Editor?
A Code Editor is a special text editor program designed to write and edit source code and computer programs. It helps programmers write and edit source code and programs easily by differentiating elements and in-built routines.
⚡ Which are the best alternatives to Notepad++?
Following are some of the best alternatives to Notepad++:
- Atom
- Kite
- NetBeans
- jEdit
- Brackets
✅ How to choose the right Code Editor Tool for your needs?
Below are the factors you should consider while choosing the right Code Editor for your needs:
- Multiple Language Support
- Syntax Highlighting
- Autocomplete
- In-built compiler
- Built-in Debugging
- Drag and Drop GUI features
- Multiple OS support
- Extra Features offered
- Ease of using
