saasrankedSoftware, ranked on the facts

code editor · Notepad++ project

Notepad++

Free, open-source Windows source code editor with a plugin system and portable builds.

45/100

#11 of 12 code editors
Facts checked 8 Oct 2026

In short

Notepad++ suits Windows users who want a free, open-source editor with portable builds, multi-editing and plugins1,2,4,5. The manual does not document a built-in terminal, git, debugger or language servers. The project's author says its update service was compromised in 20259.

Best for: Windows users who want a free editor for quick edits and scripts.

Where the points come from

Systems5 of 22
Code tools3 of 37
Extending11 of 11
Licence and price18 of 18
Upkeep8 of 12

Systems 5 of 22 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Systems besides WindowsNoneManual says it is for use under Microsoft Windows; the README lists Windows systems only3,8.0 / 9
Portable Windows buildYesRelease page lists Portable (zip), Portable (7z) and Mini-portable (7z) downloads2.5 / 5
Remote editingNot publishedNot published in the project's user manual10.0 / 8

Code tools 3 of 37 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Language Server ProtocolNot publishedNot published in the project's user manual; its auto-completion section lists no language servers7.0 / 10
DebuggerNot publishedNot published in the project's user manual10.0 / 9
Built-in terminalNot publishedNot published in the project's user manual10.0 / 6
Git in the editorNot publishedNot published in the project's user manual10.0 / 6
Multiple cursorsYesManual documents Multi-Editing with Ctrl+Click carets and multiple selections4.3 / 3
Live collaborationNot publishedNot published in the project's user manual10.0 / 3

Extending 11 of 11 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Extension directoryYesPlugins Admin lists and installs plugins; the manual explains how to write a plugin5.8 / 8
Custom key bindingsYesThe manual documents a Shortcut Mapper and the shortcuts.xml file6.3 / 3

Licence and price 18 of 18 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Free for work useYesFree software under the GNU General Public License1.6 / 6
Price$0No paid licence; free software1.6 / 6
Open sourceYesSite and GitHub README say use is governed by the GPL1,8.6 / 6

Upkeep 8 of 12 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Release in the past yearYesVersion 8.9.8.1 is dated 2026-09-24 on the downloads page2.8 / 8
Telemetry off or noneNot publishedNot published in the manual's Preferences or Getting started pages3,6.0 / 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
Notepad++1 personFree1$0GNU General Public License

Strengths

  • Free and open source under the GPL1.
  • Portable zip, 7z and mini-portable builds for Windows2.
  • Plugins Admin installs plugins from a list, and the manual explains how to write one5.
  • Multi-editing with several carets and selections is documented4.
  • Release 8.9.8.1 is dated September 24, 20262.

Limits

  • Windows only: the project describes a Windows editor and lists no macOS, Linux or browser version3,8.
  • Its auto-completion uses word, function and path lists; the manual does not mention language servers7.
  • Multi-editing works with the mouse only and not with column-block selection4.
  • The project's author says its update service was compromised in 2025 and some users' update requests were redirected9.

Concerns on record

  • The Register reported on February 2, 2026 that the project's author said its update service was compromised in 2025, with traffic from some targeted users redirected to malicious update manifests; the author estimated the compromise lasted from June through December 2, 20259.

What Notepad++ project says

Vendor claims. We show them, but they earn no points.

  • The Notepad++ site says its native Win32 C++ code gives faster execution and a smaller program size1.

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. 3
    GNU EmacsPeople who want a free editor they can reshape in Emacs Lisp, with many tools built in
    87/100
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  4. 4
    VSCodiumPeople who want VS Code's editor as a fully open-source build without Microsoft telemetry
    78/100
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All 12 code editors

Sources

  1. Notepad++ home page, Notepad++ project. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  2. Notepad++ v8.9.8.1 downloads, Notepad++ project. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  3. Getting started, Notepad++ User Manual. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  4. Editing, Notepad++ User Manual. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  5. Plugins, Notepad++ User Manual. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  6. Preferences, Notepad++ User Manual. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  7. Auto-completion, Notepad++ User Manual. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  8. notepad-plus-plus/notepad-plus-plus, GitHub. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  9. Notepad++ update service hijacked in targeted state-linked attack, The Register. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  10. Notepad++ User Manual contents, Notepad++ User Manual. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.

Website: notepad-plus-plus.org · Markdown version · We are not affiliated with Notepad++ project.