Alternatives to Doom Emacs

An opinionated configuration framework that turns GNU Emacs into a fast, modular editing environment. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.

Replacements

Listings that take over the same core job as Doom Emacs.

  • Spacemacs

    A community-driven Emacs configuration that combines Emacs with Vim-style editing and mnemonic key bindings.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux

    Spacemacs is another community Emacs configuration, built around Vim key bindings, mnemonic keys and language layers, and also runs on Windows, though its large configuration can slow startup.

  • GNU Emacs

    An editor that is really a Lisp environment, extensible to the point where people run their email, calendar and shell inside it.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux

    GNU Emacs without Doom means building your own configuration in Emacs Lisp from scratch, which takes substantial time but avoids Doom's opinionated defaults and module system.

  • Aquamacs

    An editor based on GNU Emacs and adapted to feel at home on macOS.

    FreeProprietarymacOS

    Aquamacs is an Emacs-based editor adapted to behave like a macOS application, limited to macOS and based on an older Emacs in its stable release.

  • Lem

    A general-purpose editor and IDE written in and extensible with Common Lisp, with Emacs and Vim keybindings.

    FreeOpen sourcemacOSLinuxCommand line

    Lem is an open-source editor extensible in Common Lisp with Emacs-like and Vim-like modes and built-in LSP, so Doom modules and Emacs Lisp configuration do not transfer.

Similar software

Related functionality, not a direct replacement.