Geany vs KWrite
Geany
geany.org
KWrite
apps.kde.orgSide by side
| Figure | Geany | KWrite |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Text Editors | 8.7 (#9) | 8.4 (#20) |
| Column editing | Yes | Yes |
| Editing features | Its listed features include syntax highlighting, code completion, call tips, and code folding. | Listed features include word completion, auto-indentation, plugin support, and Vi input mode. |
| Extension support | Yes | Yes |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Linux installation | Linux and BSD users are advised to install distribution packages, which can receive updates through the package manager. | The site points Linux users to Discover or other AppStream stores, their distribution’s package manager, and Flathub. |
| Multi-cursor editing | No | Yes |
| Product | Geany describes itself as a small and lightweight integrated development environment. | KWrite is a text editor by KDE based on Kate’s editor component. |
| Supported platforms | Windows,macOS,Linux | Linux,Windows,macOS |
| Syntax highlighting | The editor provides syntax highlighting for source-code and markup files. | KWrite supports syntax highlighting according to file type. |
Plans
In their own words
Geany
Geany is a free, lightweight integrated development environment for Linux, macOS, and Windows. It provides syntax highlighting, code completion, call tips, and code folding for languages and file types including C, Java, PHP, HTML, Python, Perl, and Pascal. An embedded terminal emulator is included, and plugins can extend the editor. Geany supports macro recording and column editing, but not multi-cursor editing. The project distributes it under the GNU General Public License, version 2 or later. Linux, BSD, and similar systems are directed toward distribution packages, including packages named for Debian, Fedora, and Ubuntu. Prebuilt Windows and macOS binaries are available from geany.org, along with links to additional third-party packages and a portable Windows version. Building from source requires GTK3 libraries and headers, dependency libraries, and C and C++ compilers. Geany has no free trial because the listed plan is free.
KWrite
KWrite is a free text editor from KDE, built on Kate’s editor component. It runs on Linux, Windows, and macOS. The editor highlights syntax according to file type and includes word completion, automatic indentation, plugin support, and Vi input mode. Multi-cursor editing, column editing, and extension support are listed. Linux users can install it through Discover or another AppStream store, a distribution package manager, or Flathub. Nightly installers include a Linux AppImage and Windows and macOS builds for ARM and Intel. The project lists KWrite under the LGPL-2.1+ license. The latest listed release is version 26.08.2, dated 2026-10-08. Nightly builds come from the latest development branch and are intended for testing. KDE provides a handbook, forum, and #kate channel on Libera.Chat, plus bug-reporting and source links. Its privacy policy generally limits transfers from end-user devices to explicit user actions, though distributors may modify the software.