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BowPadNotepad++
Free

Free and open source.

 Free

Free as in speech and free as in beer, in the author’s own words, under the GNU General…

Windows Windows
  • Syntax highlighting for over 100 languages
  • Handles UTF-8, UTF-16 and UTF-32
  • Opens instantly and uses little memory, thanks to pure Win32 and the Scintilla component
  • Syntax highlighting for many programming and natural languages, with tabs and split view
  • Windows only, requiring Windows 10 22H2 or later
  • Ribbon interface may not suit everyone
  • Windows only; there is no official macOS or Linux build
  • The plugin ecosystem is older and less active than that of modern editors
Downloadable app Downloadable app
Open source Open source
License not stated License: GPL-3.0
No account needed No account needed
Works offline Works offline

Checked October 1, 2026

Checked September 20, 2026

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