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Notepad++BowPad
Free

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

 Free

Free and open source.

Windows Windows
  • 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
  • Syntax highlighting for over 100 languages
  • Handles UTF-8, UTF-16 and UTF-32
  • Windows only; there is no official macOS or Linux build
  • The plugin ecosystem is older and less active than that of modern editors
  • Windows only, requiring Windows 10 22H2 or later
  • Ribbon interface may not suit everyone
Downloadable app Downloadable app
Open source Open source
License: GPL-3.0 License not stated
No account needed No account needed
Works offline Works offline

Checked September 20, 2026

Checked October 1, 2026

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