Table of Contents
What is Notepad++?
Notepad++ is what happens when a basic text editor grows up and gets useful. It’s like the Swiss Army knife for working with text files, completely free, surprisingly powerful, and used by everyone from programmers to bloggers. It handles multiple files at once, color-codes different programming languages automatically, and can search through mountains of text in seconds.
Writers love its distraction-free interface, while coders rely on its syntax highlighting and macro recording. The magic comes from its plugin system – want to compare files side-by-side or work with remote files?
There’s a plugin for that. But don’t confuse it with heavyweight coding environments. It’s still fundamentally a text editor, just the best one you’ll find for Windows. Light enough to launch instantly, yet packed with just enough features to make you wonder how you ever worked without it.
Notepad++ vs. Other Text Editors
Notepad++ vs. Sublime Text
Sublime Text is a well-liked text editor with features similar to Notepad++. But, Sublime Text isn’t free, you’ll need to buy a license after the trial. Notepad++, though, is totally free and open-source. Sublime Text shines with its strong search and replace tools, while Notepad++ offers more plugins and ways to tweak it.
Notepad++ vs. Visual Studio Code
Visual Studio Code, built by Microsoft, is a favored text editor with cool features like debugging, Git support, and extensions. It’s more focused on programming than Notepad++, so it’s great for software development. But it needs more computer power than Notepad++ and might not work well on older, less powerful machines.
Notepad++ vs. Atom
Atom, created by GitHub, is a free, open-source text editor with features like Notepad++. You can tweak it a ton, which developers love. But, Atom needs more computer power than Notepad++ and might not run smoothly on older, less powerful machines.
Notepad++ vs. Vim
Vim is a speedy, efficient text editor that you can customize a lot. It runs from the command line, which developers who like that style love. But Vim’s tough to learn and might not suit beginners or coders who prefer a visual, click-friendly interface.
10 Best Alternatives to Notepad++ As of 2021
If you’re thinking beyond this application and willing to go for an alternative, here is a curated list of other praise-worthy code editors and Notepad++ alternatives. This list comprises both commercials as well as free code editors.
1. Sublime Text
Similar read: Top 9 Online HTML Editor to Use in 2021
Sublime Text is a speedy, lightweight text editor that developers love for its ease and power. It’s got slick tools like quick search and replace, customizable themes, and works across operating systems. Similar to Notepad++, it’s not free—you’ll need to buy a license after the trial, unlike the no-cost Notepad++. It runs smoothly and looks sharp, though it eats a bit more memory. With a heap of plugins, you can tweak it to match your style. If you want a fast, polished tool for serious coding, Sublime Text is a great pick.
- Snappy performance and clean design
- Easy search and replace features
- Custom themes to fit your vibe
- Cross-platform support for flexibility
- Plugin-rich to personalize your workflow
2. Vim
Vim is a fast, flexible text editor that developers swear by for its robust features. It’s a command-line editor, so you use text commands instead of a clicky interface, which might feel intimidating at first. But master its keyboard shortcuts, and you’ll blaze through work like lightning.
Vim handles multiple files at once, supports a wide range of programming languages, and offers a scripting language for custom commands and macros. Its lively community pumps out plugins galore, letting you tailor it to your needs.
No coding genius required, Vim’s user-friendly with easy setup options. Grab user scripts to streamline tasks, and use the history feature to revisit past work. It’s a powerhouse for anyone chasing a zippy, customizable editor.
3. Atom Text Editor
Atom, a free, open-source text editor from GitHub, is a favorite for its approachable interface and endless tweaking options. Built for flexibility, it handles all sorts of programming languages and projects. Its active community keeps it fresh with new ideas. You can customize Atom with packages and themes to add features or switch up its style, all managed through a handy built-in package manager.
The Teletype tool lets teammates edit the same file together, perfect for remote crews or pair programming. Atom’s powerful find and replace and multi-cursor editing let you zip through code changes.
It runs on Mac, Linux, and Windows, offering a tabbed, multi-paned layout that’s easy to navigate. With an Open API, you can boost it with plugins, and clear documentation makes it a breeze to use. Atom’s a solid Notepad++ alternative for coders wanting a flexible, user-friendly tool.
4. Emacs
Emacs is a top-notch Notepad++ alternative, loved for its flexibility and robust features. This open-source text editor feels like a customizable playground, letting you shape it to your exact needs. Programmers and writers rave about its powerful editing tools and scripting language. With heaps of keyboard shortcuts and macro support, Emacs boosts your speed and productivity like a shot of espresso.
Its built-in package manager makes adding plugins and extensions a snap. It handles a wide range of programming languages and file types, perfect for all kinds of projects. The search and replace tool is a beast, and multi-cursor editing lets you tweak multiple lines at once.
A thriving community dishes out resources and plugins to keep things fresh. Its open API lets you add cool features like word processing, project planning, or even news reading with third-party modules.
5. Brackets
For new coders, Brackets is a stellar swap for Notepad++. Its tidy, fuss-free interface grabs you right away, but don’t let the simple vibe trick you; it’s brimming with handy tools. This free, open-source text editor, crafted for web development, wins over developers and designers with its ease and strength. The star feature? Live preview mode shows your HTML and CSS changes instantly, making your work quicker and responsive designs a cinch.
Brackets has a built-in file manager and handles heaps of programming languages and file types, so it’s perfect for web projects. Its search and replace is snappy, and multi-cursor editing lets you tweak several lines at once. The CSS and HTML shortcuts are super slick, and you can watch your edits come alive in a browser. Ready for Windows, Mac, and Linux, Brackets is a beginner’s dream, turning coding into a fun, creative spin.
6. Visual Studio Code
Visual Studio Code, a free, open-source gem from Microsoft, is a coder’s dream with its robust tools and endless tweaks. Loved by newbies and pros alike, it shines with built-in debugging tools that make spotting and fixing code glitches a breeze.
The IntelliSense feature dishes out smart, context-savvy suggestions and auto-fills code, saving you time. It handles a ton of programming languages and file types, so it’s ready for any project you throw at it. With a built-in terminal and Git integration, managing code and teaming up is super smooth. A buzzing community keeps the plugins flowing, letting you mold the editor to your style.
It’s tabbed browsing lets you juggle multiple files in one window, and code debugging is a standout. The catch? It can feel a bit tricky for non-pro coders. Still, its multi-selection editing and top-notch debugging make Visual Studio Code a powerhouse for anyone serious about coding.
Similar read: 9 Free Linux Text Editor & Command Line Tools
7. Geany Text Editor
Geany is a sleek, flexible text editor built for coders and developers. This free, open-source tool runs like a charm on Windows, macOS, and Linux. What makes it shine? A simple, no-nonsense interface that lets you jump into coding fast.
It handles a bunch of programming languages, like C, C++, Java, Python, and more. Geany’s packed with features to speed up your work, a built-in file browser, project manager, and terminal emulator keep things tidy. Its search and replace is quick, and multi-cursor editing lets you change multiple lines in one go.
Debugging or coding? You’ll glide through source code with ease. It also sports a pop-up menu on message windows, a slick sidebar, and a heads-up if you try an empty action.
8. TextMate
TextMate is a stellar Notepad++ alternative designed just for macOS, perfect for coders and developers. Its clean, easy-to-use interface hides a treasure trove of features. You can code and debug across tons of programming languages with ease.
The search and replace tool is a beast, using regular expressions to hunt through multiple files and folders. Productivity perks like code folding, bookmarks, and multi-cursor editing keep you flying. TextMate supports heaps of languages with syntax highlighting and code completion, plus Markdown and HTML previewing for crafting docs or web pages.
It offers auto-indent for smooth coding, CSS-like selectors for precise tweaks, and a dynamic outline to manage multiple files. Function pop-ups make hopping around code a snap, while Shell commands inside documents and visual bookmarks for quick jumps add serious spice.
9. jEdit Text Editor
jEdit is a versatile, free, open-source text editor perfect for coders on Mac, Windows, and Linux. Written in Java, it’s built to handle text editing, coding, and debugging with ease. It offers support for a ton of programming languages and file types, complete with syntax highlighting and code folding.
You can supercharge it with plugins to add extra flair or support for new languages. jEdit’s productivity tools, like a built-in file browser, project manager, and macro recorder, keep your workflow humming. The search and replace is sharp, and multi-cursor editing lets you tweak several lines at once. It’s a Notepad++ rival that’s flexible and packed with options, making coding feel like a smooth ride.
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