# Notepad++ Software Pricing, Alternatives & More 2026 | Capterra > With the help of Capterra, learn about Notepad++ Software - reviews, pricing plans, popular comparisons to other Source Code Management products and more. Source: https://www.capterra.com/p/185965/Notepad --- # Notepad++ Software Review 2026: Features, Integrations, Pros & Cons Last updated on June 3, 2026 Provider data verified by our Software Research team, and reviews moderated by our Reviews Verification team. [Description](#description)[Use cases](#use-cases)[Alternatives](#alternatives)[FAQs](#faqs)[Users](#users)[Pros and Cons](#pros-cons)[Features](#features)[Pricing](#pricing)[Support](#support)[Reviews](#reviews) Notepad++ ## What is Notepad++? A free text code editor that supports various languages and uses Win32 API and STL. ## What is Notepad++ used for? [Source Code Management](https://www.capterra.com/source-code-management-software/)[Application Development](https://www.capterra.com/application-development-software/) Top alternative Featured Overall rating Based on 2,006 user reviews Reviews sentiment Positive 96% Neutral 3% Negative 0% Pros & cons Free and open-source software Fast, resource-efficient text editor Outdated and basic interface design Struggles with very large files Starting price $0.01 Per User, Per Month Free trial not available Free version not included Capterra Shortlist charts the highest-rated and most popular products... Our "Best of" badge program showcases products with the highest ratings... - Application Development / 2026 Our "Best of" badge program showcases products with the highest ratings... Do you work for Notepad++?[Manage this product listing](https://digitalmarkets.gartner.com/get-listed/claim-bx?url=https://notepad-plus-plus.org/&name=Notepad++) ## Compare with a popular alternative Capterra selects software alternatives based on relevant features, verified user reviews and user interactions. Placement may be influenced by client status. ### Notepad++ 4.7 (2,006) VS. [4.6 (1,393)](https://www.capterra.com/p/140928/Appy-Pie/reviews/) Starting Price $0.01 Per Feature Starting Price $16 Usage Based, Per Month Free Trial Free Version Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version Ease Of Use 4.7 (2,006) Ease Of Use 4.6 (1,393) Value For Money 4.8 (1,276) Value For Money 4.5 (1,268) Customer Service 4.3 (995) Customer Service 4.7 (1,294) ## Notepad++ alternatives Highest Rated [GitHub](https://www.capterra.com/p/129067/GitHub/) [4.8 (6,186)](https://www.capterra.com/p/129067/GitHub/reviews/) Starting price $4.00 Per User, Per Month Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version User Rating 98% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars [Learn More](https://www.capterra.com/p/129067/GitHub/) [Essential Studio](https://www.capterra.com/p/228226/Essential-Studio/) [4.5 (935)](https://www.capterra.com/p/228226/Essential-Studio/reviews/) Starting price Contact vendor for pricing Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version User Rating 94% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars [Learn More](https://www.capterra.com/p/228226/Essential-Studio/) [Microsoft Visual Studio](https://www.capterra.com/p/80230/microsoft-visual-studio/) [4.6 (3,006)](https://www.capterra.com/p/80230/microsoft-visual-studio/reviews/) Starting price $499.92 Per User, Per Month Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version User Rating 97% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars [Learn More](https://www.capterra.com/p/80230/microsoft-visual-studio/) [IntelliJ IDEA](https://www.capterra.com/p/136010/IntelliJ-IDEA/) [4.7 (1,259)](https://www.capterra.com/p/136010/IntelliJ-IDEA/reviews/) Starting price $19.90 Per User, Per Month Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version User Rating 98% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars [Learn More](https://www.capterra.com/p/136010/IntelliJ-IDEA/) [View all alternatives](https://www.capterra.com/p/185965/Notepad/alternatives/) ## FAQs about Notepad++ Overview ### What problems does Notepad++ solve? Notepad++ solves slow, bloated text-editing workflows by giving developers, testers, database teams, and IT staff a fast way to open large files, edit code across multiple languages, run bulk search-and-replace with regex, compare files, clean CSV/JSON/XML data, and recover unsaved work without memory-heavy IDEs. Answer based on 823 reviews Overview ### Which roles and teams benefit most from Notepad++? Notepad++ is most used by software developers, engineers, and web development teams who need fast code editing, syntax highlighting, and quick script changes. IT administrators, analysts, and consultants use it for log review, data cleanup, and configuration edits, while students, founders, and managers benefit from lightweight text editing and technical file review. Answer based on 2004 reviews Overview ### What company size and industries is Notepad++ built for? Notepad++ is built mainly for small businesses, which make up 56% of reviewers, and is used most in Information Technology and Services at 26% and Computer Software at 19%. It also serves enterprises at 28% and midsize businesses at 15%, with source code management as the most common use case. Answer based on 2004 reviews Features and Usability ### What are the key features of Notepad++? Notepad++ includes core code editing features like syntax highlighting, multi-tab editing, regular-expression search and replace, and auto-completion. Differentiating features include macro recording, session backup and autosave, and a plugin architecture for tools such as file comparison, XML handling, and code folding across many programming languages. Answer based on 661 reviews Integrations ### Which third-party tools and platforms does Notepad++ integrate with? Notepad++ integrates with Visual Studio Code, Sublime Text, Microsoft Excel, WordPress, MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, FileZilla, and Jira. Reviewer mentions also point to use alongside XAMPP and Visio. Across development, database, content, and file transfer workflows, Notepad++ connects to 10 third-party tools and platforms. Answer based on 361 reviews Getting Started and Support ### How easy is it to onboard and train a team on Notepad++? Notepad++ is quick to onboard for developers and technical users because its interface feels familiar to Windows Notepad and basic editing needs little training. Teams often rely on online tutorials, training videos, and documentation for advanced features, plugins, and setup. Nontechnical or first-time users usually need more time and outside guidance. Answer based on 33 reviews Getting Started and Support ### What customer support options does Notepad++ offer, and how do users rate the experience? Notepad++ offers email/help desk, FAQ/forum, and a knowledge base. Users generally describe support as community-driven and sufficient for finding answers quickly, especially through forums and online help, though some say the support page can be confusing, documentation is not always comprehensive, and direct assistance feels limited. Answer based on 245 reviews Security ### How does Notepad++ handle data security and access control? Notepad++ uses autosave, session restore, and tab retention to keep files and temporary text safe after crashes, shutdowns, or accidental closure. Reviewers also mention SHA-256, MD5, and encryption-related capabilities, plus regular updates that improve security. Limits include weak access control, plugin installation needing admin rights, occasional session corruption, and privacy concerns. Answer based on 30 reviews File save ### How well does Notepad++ handle saving files and unsaved work? Notepad++ handles file saving reliably for everyday editing, coding, and note-taking, especially when work is interrupted. Developers, IT staff, and solo users like autosave, session restore, and easy file extension selection, though some mention limits with very large files and team-based sharing outside the app. Answer based on 661 reviews ## Who uses Notepad++? Based on Capterra reviews from the past 3 years Company size Based on 198 reviews 100% 75% 50% 25% Smallbusiness Midsizebusinesses Enterprise Top job functions Based on 198 reviews IT & Software Development 54% IT & Software Development 54% Engineering 10% Education & Learning 6% Marketing 5% Others 25% Top industries Based on 198 reviews Computer Software 41% Information Technology and Services 33% Financial Services 12% Computer & Network Security 8% Other 6% ## Pros and Cons Free and open-source software 97% positive reviews out of 146 Most reviewers appreciate pricing, noting Notepad++ is completely free, open-source, and offers strong value without cost. Outdated and basic interface design 46% negative reviews out of 234 Some reviewers comment user interface appears dated, plain, and less visually appealing compared to modern editors. Lance G. Operations Manager, 11 - 50 employees. "It could use a more modern interface; it feels somewhat dated." Fast, resource-efficient text editor 98% positive reviews out of 134 Most reviewers describe lightweight performance as enabling rapid startup and smooth operation, even on older computers. Netra S. Senior RPA Developer, 10,001+ employees. "Notepad++ is a lightweight application that requires very less memory storage which makes it easy to use and it opens very quickly with very less loading time." Struggles with very large files 54% negative reviews out of 126 Most reviewers report large file handling causes slowdowns, crashes, or unresponsiveness when opening or editing big documents. Alvaro C. Software Developer, 1 employee. "Its performance may suffer when working with very large or complex text files." Advanced search and replace tools 97% positive reviews out of 88 Most reviewers find search and replace features powerful, supporting bulk edits, regex, and multi-file operations efficiently. Anonymous User Founder, 1 employee. "For me the most useful is the flexible search and replace feature." Frequent and disruptive update prompts 48% negative reviews out of 91 Some reviewers describe updates as frequent, with persistent pop-ups and a cumbersome update process disrupting workflow. ## Features Features with the highest number of reviews are displayed first. Those that have no reviews appear next, sorted alphabetically. Custom Development 4.5 (303) 58.75% of 303 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important It gives you flexibility to customize workflows, add plugins, and support many programming languages. Some reviewers find the wide language support, plugin integration, and workspace customization helpful for scripting, web development, and adapting Notepad++ to individual needs. Graphical User Interface 4.5 (297) 57.58% of 297 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important Notepad++ provides a simple, intuitive interface with easy navigation, customizable icons, and color-coded syntax. Reviewers appreciate its clean design, minimal distractions, and ease of use, saying it helps both beginners and experienced users focus on coding efficiently. Integrated Development Environment 4.3 (262) 54.58% of 262 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important You get a lightweight environment with syntax highlighting, tabbed editing, and plugin support for many languages. Reviewers indicate it’s efficient for quick edits and scripting, though some feel it lacks advanced IDE tools like compilers and debuggers found in dedicated environments. Search/Filter 4.7 (250) 68.40% of 250 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important With this capability, you quickly find, filter, and replace text—across single or multiple files—using options like regex, incremental search, and shortcuts. Reviewers appreciate how it speeds up navigation in large files and boosts productivity for coding and log analysis. Backup and Recovery 4.5 (179) 58.10% of 179 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important Notepad++ offers reliable backup and recovery, auto-saving sessions and restoring unsaved files after crashes or shutdowns. Users think this helps prevent data loss, maintain progress, and easily recover work, making it especially valuable for coding and editing tasks. Code Editing 4.6 (8) 75.00% of 8 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important Edit code that has been previously created for product development. Notepad++ 9 features Application programming interface that allows for integration with other systems/databases Notepad++ offers reliable backup and recovery, auto-saving sessions and restoring unsaved files after crashes or shutdowns. Users think this helps prevent data loss, maintain progress, and easily recover work, making it especially valuable for coding and editing tasks. Edit code that has been previously created for product development. It gives you flexibility to customize workflows, add plugins, and support many programming languages. Some reviewers find the wide language support, plugin integration, and workspace customization helpful for scripting, web development, and adapting Notepad++ to individual needs. Detect and remove errors Notepad++ provides a simple, intuitive interface with easy navigation, customizable icons, and color-coded syntax. Reviewers appreciate its clean design, minimal distractions, and ease of use, saying it helps both beginners and experienced users focus on coding efficiently. You get a lightweight environment with syntax highlighting, tabbed editing, and plugin support for many languages. Reviewers indicate it’s efficient for quick edits and scripting, though some feel it lacks advanced IDE tools like compilers and debuggers found in dedicated environments. With this capability, you quickly find, filter, and replace text—across single or multiple files—using options like regex, incremental search, and shortcuts. Reviewers appreciate how it speeds up navigation in large files and boosts productivity for coding and log analysis. Development of software programs Features 4.5 (2,006) 4.5 Based on 2,006 reviews ## Pricing Value for money 4.8 (1276) Free Version Basic $0.01 Per Feature, Value for money 4.8 (1,276) 4.8 Based on 1,276 reviews ## Support, customer service and training options Customer Service 4.3 (995) Support - Email/Help Desk - FAQs/Forum - Knowledge Base - Phone Support - 24/7 (Live rep) - Chat Training - In Person - Live Online - Webinars - Documentation - Videos Deployment - Web - Android - iPhone/iPad Typical users - Freelancers - Small businesses - Mid size businesses - Enterprises Customer Service 4.3 (995) 4.3 Based on 995 reviews ## User reviews Overall rating 4.7 Based on 2,006 reviews Filter by rating 5(1495) 4(436) 3(70) 2(5) 1(0) Mentioned topic Sorted by most recent ST Sebastien T. Développeur Web Higher Education ### "Notepad++ ancienne app" 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 5.0 5.0 Likelihood to Recommend 10/10 June 26, 2026 Pros Notepad++ est très rapide et léger, parfait pour modifier du code ou des fichiers texte rapidement. Il supporte plusieurs langages de programmation Cons Son interface est assez ancienne et peu attrayante. Il manque des fonctionnalités modernes présentes dans des éditeurs plus récents. Review source Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. MS Marvin S. Lead Developer Computer Software ### "A lightweight upgrade of the notepad" 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 3.0 3.0 Customer Service 0.0 0.0 Likelihood to Recommend 8/10 June 19, 2026 I have it installed on most my pcs just because its a great gap filler between the almost useless notepad of windows and the heavy weight programming ide. For all the times where you just quickly need to open up a text based file for a little edit. Pros Its easy, intuitive but still has everything that the default windows notepad is missing. Its suitable for note taking, editing config files or even some coding with syntac highlighting and formatting Cons It is in the end still "just" a notepad so its not suitable as a proper IDE. It is missing most feature that become critical if you seriously want to work with text Review source Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. HR Hayden R. Graphic Designer Computer Software ### "Solid Code editor for everybody" 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 4.0 4.0 Customer Service 4.0 4.0 Likelihood to Recommend 7/10 May 3, 2026 I had a really good experience with Notepad ++, it supports all the feature i would like it too when i first started to write code. The initial set-up is very straightforward to do and made better being a free platform. Pros It's a simple text editor that's able to support HTML & CSS capabilities, perfect for anybody who wants to learn code. It also predicts which tag im trying to close before i type it in which is really useful. Cons I think the user interface has become a little outdated for it's time. i shortly made the switch over to Sublime Text as it's formatting and use of colour make writing and understanding code a little easier for me. Review source Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. Samuele R. CEO e CTO Computer Software ### "Ottimo programma per iniziare e validissimo upgrade del Notepad" 3.0 Overall Rating 3.0 3.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 4.0 4.0 Customer Service 3.0 3.0 Likelihood to Recommend 8/10 April 20, 2026 Ho usato Notepad++ per diverso tempo nello sviluppo web quando stavo imparando. Successivamente, è diventato un valido alleato per la modifica di file di configurazione e simili, in quanto il syntax highlighting semplice e immediato è comodo per la modifica di questo tipo di file. Pros Le performance altissime, l'upgrade pulito dal notepad classico, la semplicità di utilizzo, la dinamicità in ambienti di configurazione. Cons Notepad++ risulta un prodotto piuttosto limitato se si lavora su programmi estesi, grandi o che richiedono diversi file. Risulta invece adatto per progetti amatoriali o mentre si impara. Alternatives considered [Microsoft Visual Studio](https://www.capterra.com/p/80230/microsoft-visual-studio/) [Visual Studio Code](https://www.capterra.com/p/186634/Visual-Studio-Code/) Reasons for choosing Notepad++ Notepad++ è molto più leggero e veloce per task specifiche, come la modifica di file di configurazione. Review source Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. RV Rakhi V. QA Lead Information Technology and Services ### "Notepadd ++ Review after usage of a year" 4.0 Overall Rating 4.0 4.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 4.0 4.0 Customer Service 4.0 4.0 Likelihood to Recommend 8/10 April 20, 2026 It's the tool you reach for when you need something fast, simple, and reliable without the weight of a full editor. It's not a replacement for a proper IDE or dedicated testing tool but as a lightweight everyday utility it consistently delivers and rarely gets in the way. Pros It was incredibly useful for reviewing log files, comparing test outputs, and making quick edits to test data files without any overhead. The find and replace with regex support was a particular favorite — it saved a lot of manual work when searching through large log files or cleaning up test data in bulk. Cons The lack of a native diff or file comparison view built directly into the core tool was a gap — you had to rely on a plugin that didn't always behave consistently. Being Windows only was also a recurring frustration for anyone working in a mixed OS environment. Review source Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. AN Anonymous User Web Developer Human Resources ### "Great lightwell code editing tool" 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 5.0 5.0 Likelihood to Recommend 10/10 April 6, 2026 My experience has been excellent. I use it daily for quick script edits, log file analysis, and as a scratchpad for code snippets. It is completely free and does exactly what it promises without any bloat. Pros Notepad++ is lightweight program with low resource consumption while containing essential features for code editing. Cons User interface could use some redesigns. While it is not a challenge to navigate, it feels outdated. Review source Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. SS Scott S. Project Manager Human Resources ### "Simple and Efficient" 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 4.0 4.0 Likelihood to Recommend 9/10 March 3, 2026 Notepad++ is a simple tool but extremely practical to work on text, scripts or configuration files. Even in a non-technical environment, it is very useful on a daily basis. Pros I appreciate its lightness and speed. Notepad++ opens instantly and allows to handle text files much easier than a classic editor. It is also a practical tool to prepare clean notes, quickly edit exported files (CSV, logs, etc.) or correct content before integrating it into another system. Cons Also, even if it is perfect for editing text, it is obviously not a collaboration tool: as soon as you need to work as a team, you have to use other platforms. Review source Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. Junaid E. National IT Manager Hospitality ### "Simple, fast, and reliable for everyday code editing" 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 5.0 5.0 Likelihood to Recommend 10/10 January 22, 2026 Overall, Notepad++ is a dependable and efficient code editor that does its job extremely well. It is ideal for quick edits, scripting, configuration files and lightweight development work. Pros Notepad++ is fast, lighweight and extremely easy to use. It launches instantly and provides exactly what you need for everyday code editing. It is completely free which makes value for money hard to beat. Cons The interface feels dated compared to modern IDEs and advance features require plugins which can take some time to configure. Alternatives considered [Visual Studio Code](https://www.capterra.com/p/186634/Visual-Studio-Code/) Reasons for choosing Notepad++ While Visual Studio Code is more powerful, Notepad ++ is much lighter and faster for quick edits and simple coding tasks. Review source Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. JN Jean-Pierre N. Instructional Designer Higher Education ### "Notpad +++ is a user-friendly editor" 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 5.0 5.0 Likelihood to Recommend 10/10 January 12, 2026 Notpad +++ is a user-friendly editor that has a very simple graphical interface, and can support several plugins. Pros I like the fact that it has a very simple graphic interface, is user-friendly, free for all Windows users, and opens very fast. It can also highlight the syntax for different colors in multiple languages. Cons While its GUI is simple, it lacks some important elements compared to other editors. It also lacks very important features for debugging. Review source Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. Gene B. Principal Consultant Financial Services ### "Notepad++ is Everything You Need in an Editor" 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 5.0 5.0 Likelihood to Recommend 10/10 January 5, 2026 I love using Notepad++. It has been my go to editor for editing SQL and C Sharp code. I prefer to edit in Notepad++ and then copy paste into Visual Studio for my SQL code. Pros Notepad++ offers great value and outstanding features. It allows me to have multiple windows open at once for editing. I love the fact that it highlights keywords when I use the appropriate file extension. Cons It seems as a default, it assumes the file is a text file and then sometimes I have to go to the finder and rename the file extension. Switched from [Sublime Text](https://www.capterra.com/p/179535/Sublime-Text/) Notepad++ was provided by the client I'm working for and then I liked it so much I decided to use for all of my work. Review source Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. [View all Reviews](https://www.capterra.com/p/185965/Notepad/reviews/) ## Top-rated software of 2026 ### Fill out the form and we'll send a list of the top-rated software based on real user reviews directly to your inbox. 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