Alternatives to Notepad3

A lightweight open-source Notepad replacement for Windows with syntax highlighting and code folding. 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 Notepad3.

  • Notepad4

    A lightweight Scintilla-based text editor for Windows with syntax highlighting, folding and auto-completion.

    FreeOpen sourceWindows

    Notepad4 is another Scintilla-based Windows editor that adds auto-completion and a bundled matepath file browser, keeping a single-document design.

  • Notepad++

    The fast Windows text and source code editor that replaced Notepad for a generation of users.

    FreeOpen sourceWindows

    Notepad++ is also a Scintilla-based Windows editor but adds find and replace across files, macros, column editing and a plugin ecosystem, under GPL-3.0.

  • Notepads

    Use a lightweight Windows text editor with tabs and Markdown preview.

    FreeOpen sourceWindows

    Notepads is a lightweight MIT-licensed Windows editor with tabs, Markdown preview and change previews, and it is likewise available for Windows only.

  • PSPad

    A freeware text and code editor for Windows with syntax highlighting, hex editing and a built-in FTP client.

    FreeProprietaryWindows

    PSPad is closed-source Windows freeware that adds a hex editor, FTP client, macro recorder and code comparison to basic editing.

  • RJ TextEd

    A freeware Unicode text and source code editor for Windows with web preview, hex mode and SFTP.

    FreeProprietaryWindows

    RJ TextEd is closed-source Windows freeware with HTML and CSS preview, SFTP synchronisation, hex mode and multiple selection editing.

  • EmEditor

    A Windows text editor built for very large files, CSV data, logs and code.

    FreemiumProprietaryWindows

    EmEditor is a Windows editor for very large files and CSV data with a free edition, but it is closed source and some features need the paid Professional edition.

  • Sublime Text

    A fast native editor for code and prose, paid for but with an evaluation that never stops working.

    PaidProprietaryWindowsmacOSLinux

    Sublime Text is a fast native editor on Windows, macOS and Linux with multiple cursors and goto-anything, but it is paid and closed source.

  • Visual Studio Code

    Microsoft's code editor, free to use but shipped under a Microsoft licence rather than an open one.

    FreeProprietaryWindowsmacOSLinux

    Visual Studio Code adds extensions, an integrated debugger and Git, and runs on macOS and Linux, but it is Electron-based, heavier and not open source.

Similar software

Related functionality, not a direct replacement.