Our verdict: Notepad++ is the fastest way to upgrade from Windows Notepad. It opens instantly, highlights code in dozens of languages and has search and replace that can handle whole folders. It is not a full development environment, and it is meant to be quick instead.
About Notepad++
Notepad++ has been maintained by Don Ho since 2003 and is one of the most widely used editors on Windows. It is written in C++ on top of the Scintilla editing component, which keeps it light even with large files.
It remembers your open tabs between sessions, including unsaved ones, so you can close it at any time without losing scratch notes. Plugins add features such as file comparison and JSON formatting.
What it does well
- Syntax highlighting. Colors code for HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, SQL, PowerShell and many more languages.
- Find in files. Searches and replaces across whole folders, with regular expressions.
- Tabs and sessions. Keeps many files open and restores them, even unsaved ones, after a restart.
- Macros. Records repeated edits and plays them back over a whole file.
- Plugin Admin. Installs plugins such as Compare and JSON Viewer from inside the app.
Who it is for
Good fit
Developers, admins and anyone who edits config files, logs or quick scripts.
Look elsewhere
People who want a full IDE with debugging, Git integration and project-wide refactoring.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Starts instantly
- Excellent search and replace
- Never loses unsaved tabs
- Light on memory
Cons
- Windows only
- Not an IDE
- Interface feels busy at first
How to install Notepad++
The download button gets the 64-bit installer. Portable ZIP builds are listed on the official downloads page. During setup you can add an 'Edit with Notepad++' entry to the right-click menu.
Questions about Notepad++
Is Notepad++ free?
Yes. It is open source and free for personal and commercial use.
Is there Notepad++ for Mac?
No. It is a Windows program. On a Mac, you would need a different editor.
Can Notepad++ compare two files?
Yes, with the Compare plugin, which you can install from Plugins → Plugins Admin.
