IntelliJ IDEA From $8.33/mo · Free plan 9.3 Visit Bluefish
bluefish.sourceforge.io
What it is
Bluefish is a free, open-source desktop editor for programmers and web developers writing websites, scripts and programming code. It runs on Linux, macOS and Windows and supports more than 30 markup and programming languages. The multi-document interface can open 1,000 or more documents, with more than 10,000 tested simultaneously. Editing tools include regular-expression search and replace, code folding, auto-completion and automatic tag closing. Project support restores settings for each project. Through gvfs, Bluefish works with remote files over FTP, SFTP, HTTP, HTTPS, WebDAV, CIFS and other protocols. Users can connect external programs such as make, lint, weblint, xmllint, tidy and javac, or run custom programs and scripts. The Flatpak build has strict security restrictions that block integration with some system tools and the web browser, although internal functionality works. Community support is volunteer-run through a mailing list and bug tracker. Bluefish is released under the GNU GPL license.
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- Bluefish is a lightweight editor for programmers and web developers to write websites, scripts, and programming code.Read 4 Oct 2026 · bluefish.sourceforge.io
- Platforms
- The project says Bluefish runs on Linux, Mac OS X, Windows, FreeBSD, and OpenBSD; installers are listed for Linux distributions, macOS, and 64-bit Windows.Read 4 Oct 2026 · bluefish.sourceforge.io
- Security
- The project page describes the Flatpak build's strict security restrictions but does not state a security certification or compliance standard.Read 4 Oct 2026 · bluefish.sourceforge.io
- Support
- Community and support are volunteer-run through a mailing list and bug tracker; the project says commercial support can be requested by contacting its project manager.Read 4 Oct 2026 · bluefish.sourceforge.io
- License
- Bluefish is an open source project released under the GNU GPL license.Read 4 Oct 2026 · bluefish.sourceforge.io
- Founded
- 1998Read 28 Sep 2026 · bluefish.sourceforge.io
- Documents
- Its multiple document interface can open 1,000 or more documents; the features page says more than 10,000 were tested simultaneously.Read 4 Oct 2026 · bluefish.sourceforge.io
- Editing tools
- Features include regular expression search and replace, code folding, auto-completion, and auto-tag-closing.Read 4 Oct 2026 · bluefish.sourceforge.io
- External tools
- Users can integrate external programs such as make, lint, weblint, xmllint, tidy, and javac, or run custom programs and scripts.Read 4 Oct 2026 · bluefish.sourceforge.io
- Flatpak limitation
- The Flatpak build's strict security blocks integration with system tools such as make, pylint, weblint, and the web browser, while internal functionality works as expected.Read 4 Oct 2026 · bluefish.sourceforge.io
- History
- The project history says Bluefish was started by Olivier Sessink, Chris Mazuc, and Neil Millar in 1998.Read 4 Oct 2026 · bluefish.sourceforge.io
- Languages
- Bluefish supports more than 30 markup and programming languages.Read 4 Oct 2026 · bluefish.sourceforge.io
- Projects
- Project support restores settings for each project automatically.Read 4 Oct 2026 · bluefish.sourceforge.io
- Remote files
- Using gvfs, Bluefish supports remote files over FTP, SFTP, HTTP, HTTPS, WebDAV, CIFS, and other protocols.Read 4 Oct 2026 · bluefish.sourceforge.io
Plans and prices
Bluefish Free GNU GPL software · desktop editor Read 4 Oct 2026 · bluefish.sourceforge.io
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Supports more than 30 programming languages
- Handles 1,000 or more documents
- Remote files over multiple protocols
- Project settings restore automatically
- GNU GPL open-source license
Limits
- Flatpak blocks some system-tool integrations
- Support is volunteer-run
- No free trial listed
Who it suits
Bluefish suits programmers and web developers who want a free desktop editor across Linux, macOS or Windows. It is also suited to users working with many documents, remote files or external development tools.
Verdict
Bluefish offers a broad desktop editing toolset without a license cost. Choose the installation format carefully if integration with system tools or a browser is important.
Where Specifiction places it
- PHP IDEs#10 of 238.1
- Code editors#42 of 457.3
