Kakoune vs Helix: catalog facts
 Kakoune |  Helix |
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Free Free and open source. |
Free Free and open source under the MPL 2.0. |
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Command line |
Windows, macOS, Linux, Command line |
- Multiple selections as the core editing model
- Selection-first commands show what will change before acting
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- Language server and tree-sitter support without installing anything
- Selection-first editing makes multiple cursors a first-class tool
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- Modal editing has a learning curve
- Keybindings differ from Vim, so muscle memory does not transfer directly
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- No plugin system, so anything missing stays missing
- Selection-first keys are genuinely different from Vim muscle memory
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Downloadable app |
Downloadable app |
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Open source |
Open source |
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License not stated |
License: MPL-2.0 |
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No account needed |
No account needed |
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Works offline |
Works offline |
Checked September 23, 2026 | Checked September 21, 2026 |
Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.
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