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code editor · GNU Project

GNU Emacs

Free, extensible editor with built-in language server support, git, remote editing and a package archive.

87/100

#3 of 12 code editors
Facts checked 8 Oct 2026

In short

GNU Emacs suits people who want a free editor with a release in the past year with LSP, a debugger interface, git and remote editing all described in its own manuals4,6,7,9. The package archive hosted by the GNU project provides extensions10. The catch: its manuals show no multiple cursors, live collaboration or statement on usage data8,12.

Best for: People who want a free editor they can reshape in Emacs Lisp, with many tools built in.

Where the points come from

Systems19 of 22
Code tools31 of 37
Extending11 of 11
Licence and price18 of 18
Upkeep8 of 12

Systems 19 of 22 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Systems besides WindowsmacOS, LinuxDownload page has macOS and GNU/Linux sections; README describes the Nextstep port for macOS Cocoa. No web version listed2,12.6 / 9
Portable Windows buildYesWindows zip package holds the same files as the installer; download page says unzip and run bin\runemacs.exe2,13.5 / 5
Remote editingYesTRAMP, included as part of Emacs, edits remote files over ssh, in docker and podman containers. WSL not mentioned6.8 / 8

Code tools 31 of 37 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Language Server ProtocolYesEglot is the Emacs LSP client; the Emacs manual says programming modes use language servers through it, with completion and Flymake diagnostics4,5.10 / 10
DebuggerYesGUD sets breakpoints with gud-break and steps with gud-step and gud-next for GDB, LLDB, PDB and more. Not marked experimental7.9 / 9
Built-in terminalYesM-x shell, M-x term and M-x eshell run a shell in an Emacs buffer8.6 / 6
Git in the editorYesVersion Control supports Git; vc-dir shows file status and C-x v v commits through a log buffer9.6 / 6
Multiple cursorsNot publishedNot published in the Emacs manual. The home page only links a video on a multiple-cursors package1,8.0 / 3
Live collaborationNot publishedNot published in the Emacs manual8.0 / 3

Extending 11 of 11 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Extension directoryYesGNU ELPA and NonGNU ELPA are maintained by the Emacs developers and hosted by the GNU project; Emacs Lisp is the extension language1,10.8 / 8
Custom key bindingsYesManual shows rebinding keys in the init file, for example (keymap-global-set "C-z" 'shell)11.3 / 3

Licence and price 18 of 18 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Free for work useYesFree software under the GPL, which allows use and redistribution12.6 / 6
Price$0GNU Emacs is free12.6 / 6
Open sourceYesSource tree is published and licensed under the GNU General Public License12.6 / 6

Upkeep 8 of 12 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Release in the past yearYesEmacs 31.1 was released August 24, 2026; the release archive lists emacs-31.1.tar.xz dated 2026-08-241,3.8 / 8
Telemetry off or noneNot publishedNot published in the README or the Emacs manual12.0 / 4

The rule behind each line: how we score code editors.

Plans and prices

As the vendor lists them, before tax. Prices are in US dollars unless the plan shows euros; the points use US dollars, with euros converted at the ECB rate.

PlanPrice as listedPer monthNotes
GNU Emacs1 personFree12$0Free software under the GNU General Public License

Strengths

  • Windows has both an installer and a zip package that you unzip and run2,13.
  • The Emacs manual documents Eglot, with language server completion and Flymake diagnostics4,5.
  • GUD gives breakpoints and stepping for GDB, LLDB, PDB and JDB, among others7.
  • Version Control supports Git and lets you commit from a log buffer inside Emacs9.
  • Keys are rebound in the init file with keymap-global-set11.

Limits

  • The Emacs manuals show no multiple-cursors or live-collaboration feature8.
  • Rebinding keys and most customising is done with Emacs Lisp in an init file11.
  • Git rebases beyond editing a commit message must be run from the command line9.
  • The Emacs project lists no web version2.

Other code editors

  1. 1
    Visual Studio CodePeople who want one editor for many languages, with remote editing and an extension marketplace
    94/100
    $0price
  2. 2
    ZedPeople who want a free editor with debugging and collaboration built in
    92/100
    $0price
  3. 4
    VSCodiumPeople who want VS Code's editor as a fully open-source build without Microsoft telemetry
    78/100
    $0price
  4. 5
    NeovimKeyboard-driven developers who want built-in language server support and are happy to configure their own setup
    73/100
    $0price

GNU Emacs vs Visual Studio Code · GNU Emacs vs Zed · All 12 code editors

Sources

  1. GNU Emacs, GNU Project. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  2. Download GNU Emacs, GNU Project. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  3. Index of /gnu/emacs, GNU Project. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  4. Eglot manual (eglot.texi), GNU Project. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  5. GNU Emacs manual: programs (programs.texi), GNU Project. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  6. TRAMP manual (tramp.texi), GNU Project. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  7. GNU Emacs manual: building and debugging (building.texi), GNU Project. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  8. GNU Emacs manual: shell and misc (misc.texi), GNU Project. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  9. GNU Emacs manual: version control (maintaining.texi), GNU Project. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  10. GNU Emacs manual: packages (package.texi), GNU Project. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  11. GNU Emacs manual: customization (custom.texi), GNU Project. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  12. GNU Emacs README, GNU Project. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  13. README for Emacs 31 on Windows, GNU Project. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.

Website: www.gnu.org/software/emacs · Markdown version · We are not affiliated with GNU Project.