Compare software

AkelPadBowPad
Free

Free and open source under a BSD licence.

 Free

Free and open source.

Windows Windows
  • Small and fast to start
  • Familiar Notepad-like interface
  • Syntax highlighting for over 100 languages
  • Handles UTF-8, UTF-16 and UTF-32
  • Windows only
  • Less suited to large projects than a full code editor
  • Windows only, requiring Windows 10 22H2 or later
  • Ribbon interface may not suit everyone
Downloadable app Downloadable app
Open source Open source
License: BSD-2-Clause License not stated
No account needed No account needed
Works offline Works offline

Checked October 2, 2026

Checked October 1, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.