GNU Emacs vs Notepad++
GNU Emacs
gnu.org
Notepad++
notepad-plus-plus.orgSide by side
| Figure | GNU Emacs | Notepad++ |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Text Editors | 9.0 (#4) | 8.3 (#25) |
| Spec score · Code editors | 8.9 (#4) | 8.2 (#20) |
| Spec score · Editor Software | 8.7 (#4) | 7.8 (#24) |
| Column editing | Yes | Yes |
| Extension support | Yes | Yes |
| Founded | 1990 | 2003 |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Large-file handling | Yes | Yes |
| License | GNU Emacs is free software distributed under conditions of the GNU General Public License. | The project says its use is governed by the GPL license. |
| Macro recording | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-cursor editing | Yes | Yes |
| Supported platforms | GNU/Linux, BSDs, Haiku, Windows, macOS, and Android. | Windows |
Plans
In their own words
Notepad++
Notepad++ is a free source code editor and Notepad replacement for programming and natural-language text. It is made for Windows and supports Windows 8.1, Windows 10, and Windows 11. Editing features include multi-cursor work, column editing, macro recording, and handling large files. Plugins add extension support, and the built-in Plugins Admin can list, install, update, deactivate, and remove them. The project is governed by the GPL license, with a listed plan cost of free. The project says it has no plans to port the editor to other systems. Its FAQ suggests Windows API emulators such as Wine on Linux or similar options on macOS, while warning that performance or functionality may be affected. Plugins Admin can flag incompatible plugins, but compatible releases may not appear until added to its Plugin List. Plugin installation may need elevated Windows permissions if the program or Plugins directory is not writable.