Compare software

TextPadNotepad++
Paid

Paid licence with a free trial download.

 Free

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

Windows Windows
  • Familiar Windows-style interface with little to learn
  • No adverts and no usage statistics collected
  • 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
  • Requires a paid licence after the trial
  • 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
Closed source Open source
License not stated License: GPL-3.0
Not stated if an account is 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.