# Top 10 Notepad++ Alternatives & Competitors **Average Rating:** 4.6/5 **Total Number of Reviews:** 2,473 Looking for alternatives or competitors to Notepad++? Other important factors to consider when researching alternatives to Notepad++ include features and user interface. The best overall Notepad++ alternative is Visual Studio Code. Other similar apps like Notepad++ are Sublime Text, UltraEdit, Brackets, and TextPad. Notepad++ alternatives can be found in [Text Editor Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/text-editor). ## Best Paid & Free Alternatives to Notepad++ - [Visual Studio Code](https://www.g2.com/products/visual-studio-code/reviews) - [Sublime Text](https://www.g2.com/products/sublime-text/reviews) - [UltraEdit](https://www.g2.com/products/ultraedit/reviews) - [Brackets](https://www.g2.com/products/brackets/reviews) - [TextPad](https://www.g2.com/products/textpad/reviews) - [GNU Emacs](https://www.g2.com/products/gnu-emacs/reviews) - [gedit](https://www.g2.com/products/gedit/reviews) - [BBEdit](https://www.g2.com/products/bbedit/reviews) - [EmEditor](https://www.g2.com/products/emeditor/reviews) - [NoteTab](https://www.g2.com/products/notetab/reviews) ## Top 10 Alternatives to Notepad++ Recently Reviewed By G2 Community Browse options below. Based on reviewer data, you can see how Notepad++ stacks up to the competition, check reviews from current & previous users in industries like Information Technology and Services, Internet, and Hospital & Health Care, and find the best product for your business. ### 1. [Visual Studio Code](https://www.g2.com/products/visual-studio-code/reviews) By Microsoft **Average Rating:** 4.7/5 **Total Reviews:** 2,708 Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is a free, lightweight, and powerful source code editor developed by Microsoft, compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux. It offers a rich set of features, including debugging support, syntax highlighting, intelligent code completion, snippets, code refactoring, and built-in Git integration. Users can customize the editor by changing themes, keyboard shortcuts, and preferences, as well as by installing extensions to enhance functionality. VS Code supports a wide range of programming languages and frameworks, making it a versatile tool for developers. Key Features and Functionality: - Debugging: Built-in debugger with support for various programming languages, allowing developers to set breakpoints, inspect variables, and step through code. - Syntax Highlighting and IntelliSense: Provides syntax highlighting and intelligent code completion for numerous languages, enhancing code readability and productivity. - Integrated Git Control: Seamless Git integration enables users to manage version control directly within the editor. - Extensions and Customization: A vast marketplace of extensions allows users to add new languages, debuggers, and tools, tailoring the editor to their specific needs. - Integrated Terminal: Built-in terminal supports various shells, enabling command-line operations without leaving the editor. Primary Value and User Solutions: Visual Studio Code streamlines the development process by combining a robust set of features with a user-friendly interface. Its cross-platform compatibility and extensive extension ecosystem cater to a diverse developer community, supporting a wide array of programming languages and frameworks. By integrating essential tools like debugging, version control, and terminal access into a single environment, VS Code enhances productivity and efficiency, reducing the need to switch between multiple applications. Its customizable nature allows developers to tailor the editor to their workflows, addressing the unique challenges they face in software development. Reviewers say compared to Notepad++, Visual Studio Code is: - Easier to do business with - Better at support - Better at meeting requirements Categories in common with Notepad++: [Text Editor](https://www.g2.com/categories/text-editor) **Compare:** [Notepad++ vs Visual Studio Code](https://www.g2.com/compare/notepad-vs-visual-studio-code) **Compare Visual Studio Code with other alternatives:** - [Visual Studio Code vs Sublime Text](https://www.g2.com/compare/sublime-text-vs-visual-studio-code) - [Visual Studio Code vs UltraEdit](https://www.g2.com/compare/ultraedit-vs-visual-studio-code) - [Visual Studio Code vs Brackets](https://www.g2.com/compare/brackets-vs-visual-studio-code) - [Visual Studio Code vs TextPad](https://www.g2.com/compare/textpad-vs-visual-studio-code) - [Visual Studio Code vs GNU Emacs](https://www.g2.com/compare/gnu-emacs-vs-visual-studio-code) - [Visual Studio Code vs gedit](https://www.g2.com/compare/visual-studio-code-vs-gedit) - [Visual Studio Code vs BBEdit](https://www.g2.com/compare/bbedit-vs-visual-studio-code) - [Visual Studio Code vs EmEditor](https://www.g2.com/compare/emeditor-vs-visual-studio-code) - [Visual Studio Code vs NoteTab](https://www.g2.com/compare/notetab-vs-visual-studio-code) ### 2. [Sublime Text](https://www.g2.com/products/sublime-text/reviews) By Sublime HQ **Average Rating:** 4.5/5 **Total Reviews:** 1,780 Sublime Text is a sophisticated, cross-platform text and source code editor renowned for its speed, efficiency, and extensive customization options. Designed for developers and writers alike, it offers a clean interface with powerful features that enhance productivity and streamline workflows. Key Features and Functionality: - Multiple Selections: Allows users to make multiple changes simultaneously, enhancing editing efficiency. - Command Palette: Provides quick access to commands, reducing the need for complex menu navigation. - Split Editing: Enables side-by-side editing of files, facilitating comparison and multitasking. - Instant Project Switch: Allows seamless switching between projects without saving prompts, maintaining context and workflow continuity. - Customization: Offers extensive customization through JSON settings files, including key bindings, menus, and snippets. - Plugin API: Supports a robust Python-based API, allowing users to extend functionality with plugins. - Cross-Platform Support: Available on Windows, macOS, and Linux, ensuring a consistent experience across different operating systems. Primary Value and User Solutions: Sublime Text addresses the need for a fast, reliable, and highly customizable text editor that caters to the diverse requirements of developers and writers. Its lightweight design ensures quick startup times and responsiveness, even with large files. The editor's flexibility allows users to tailor the environment to their specific needs, enhancing productivity. Features like multiple selections and split editing streamline complex editing tasks, while the extensive plugin ecosystem enables the addition of specialized functionalities. By providing a distraction-free interface combined with powerful tools, Sublime Text empowers users to focus on their work and achieve optimal results. Reviewers say compared to Notepad++, Sublime Text is: - More expensive Categories in common with Notepad++: [Text Editor](https://www.g2.com/categories/text-editor) **Compare:** [Notepad++ vs Sublime Text](https://www.g2.com/compare/notepad-vs-sublime-text) **Compare Sublime Text with other alternatives:** - [Sublime Text vs Visual Studio Code](https://www.g2.com/compare/sublime-text-vs-visual-studio-code) - [Sublime Text vs UltraEdit](https://www.g2.com/compare/sublime-text-vs-ultraedit) - [Sublime Text vs Brackets](https://www.g2.com/compare/brackets-vs-sublime-text) - [Sublime Text vs TextPad](https://www.g2.com/compare/sublime-text-vs-textpad) - [Sublime Text vs GNU Emacs](https://www.g2.com/compare/gnu-emacs-vs-sublime-text) - [Sublime Text vs gedit](https://www.g2.com/compare/sublime-text-vs-gedit) - [Sublime Text vs BBEdit](https://www.g2.com/compare/bbedit-vs-sublime-text) - [Sublime Text vs EmEditor](https://www.g2.com/compare/emeditor-vs-sublime-text) - [Sublime Text vs NoteTab](https://www.g2.com/compare/notetab-vs-sublime-text) ### 3. [UltraEdit](https://www.g2.com/products/ultraedit/reviews) By Idera, Inc. **Average Rating:** 4.7/5 **Total Reviews:** 1,123 UltraEdit is a powerful text editor and code editor for Windows, Mac, and Linux that supports nearly any programming language and easily handles huge (4+ GB) files. Includes (S)FTP, SSH console, powerful find/replace with Perl regex support, scripting / macros, and more. Reviewers say compared to Notepad++, UltraEdit is: - More expensive - Better at support - Easier to do business with Categories in common with Notepad++: [Text Editor](https://www.g2.com/categories/text-editor) **Compare:** [Notepad++ vs UltraEdit](https://www.g2.com/compare/notepad-vs-ultraedit) **Compare UltraEdit with other alternatives:** - [UltraEdit vs Visual Studio Code](https://www.g2.com/compare/ultraedit-vs-visual-studio-code) - [UltraEdit vs Sublime Text](https://www.g2.com/compare/sublime-text-vs-ultraedit) - [UltraEdit vs Brackets](https://www.g2.com/compare/brackets-vs-ultraedit) - [UltraEdit vs TextPad](https://www.g2.com/compare/textpad-vs-ultraedit) - [UltraEdit vs GNU Emacs](https://www.g2.com/compare/gnu-emacs-vs-ultraedit) - [UltraEdit vs gedit](https://www.g2.com/compare/ultraedit-vs-gedit) - [UltraEdit vs BBEdit](https://www.g2.com/compare/bbedit-vs-ultraedit) - [UltraEdit vs EmEditor](https://www.g2.com/compare/emeditor-vs-ultraedit) - [UltraEdit vs NoteTab](https://www.g2.com/compare/notetab-vs-ultraedit) ### 4. [Brackets](https://www.g2.com/products/brackets/reviews) By Adobe **Average Rating:** 4.4/5 **Total Reviews:** 262 Brackets is a modern, open-source code editor specifically designed for web development, focusing on HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Developed by Adobe and released in 2014, Brackets is built using web technologies, making it lightweight and highly extensible. It is cross-platform, supporting macOS, Windows, and Linux operating systems. Brackets offers a range of features tailored to enhance the web development workflow. Key Features and Functionality: - Inline Editors: Brackets allows developers to open a window into the code they care about most, enabling quick edits without switching between file tabs. - Live Preview: This feature provides a real-time connection to the browser, allowing developers to see changes to CSS and HTML instantly on screen. - Preprocessor Support: Brackets offers support for preprocessors, facilitating a more efficient workflow for developers who use them. - Extensibility: Being open-source, Brackets supports a wide range of extensions that add functionality such as Git integration, Emmet for high-speed HTML and CSS workflow, and more. Primary Value and User Solutions: Brackets addresses the needs of web developers by providing a streamlined, efficient coding environment that integrates visual tools directly into the editor. Features like Live Preview and Inline Editors reduce the need to switch between different applications, thereby enhancing productivity. Its open-source nature and extensibility allow developers to customize the editor to fit their specific workflow, making it a versatile tool for modern web development. Categories in common with Notepad++: [Text Editor](https://www.g2.com/categories/text-editor) **Compare:** [Notepad++ vs Brackets](https://www.g2.com/compare/brackets-vs-notepad) **Compare Brackets with other alternatives:** - [Brackets vs Visual Studio Code](https://www.g2.com/compare/brackets-vs-visual-studio-code) - [Brackets vs Sublime Text](https://www.g2.com/compare/brackets-vs-sublime-text) - [Brackets vs UltraEdit](https://www.g2.com/compare/brackets-vs-ultraedit) - [Brackets vs TextPad](https://www.g2.com/compare/brackets-vs-textpad) - [Brackets vs GNU Emacs](https://www.g2.com/compare/brackets-vs-gnu-emacs) - [Brackets vs gedit](https://www.g2.com/compare/brackets-vs-gedit) - [Brackets vs BBEdit](https://www.g2.com/compare/bbedit-vs-brackets) - [Brackets vs EmEditor](https://www.g2.com/compare/brackets-vs-emeditor) - [Brackets vs NoteTab](https://www.g2.com/compare/brackets-vs-notetab) ### 5. [TextPad](https://www.g2.com/products/textpad/reviews) By Helios Software Solutions **Average Rating:** 4.4/5 **Total Reviews:** 142 TextPad is a text editor for Windows, developed by Helios Software Solutions since 1992. It caters to both general text editing and programming needs, offering a robust set of features that enhance productivity and streamline complex tasks. With support for large files and multiple languages, TextPad is designed to meet the demands of both casual users and professional developers. Key Features and Functionality: - Large File Support: Capable of editing files up to the limits of virtual memory, making it suitable for handling extensive documents. - Syntax Highlighting: Provides customizable syntax highlighting for various programming languages, aiding in code readability and error detection. - Macro Recording: Allows users to record and replay sequences of commands, facilitating repetitive tasks and complex text transformations. - Regular Expression Search and Replace: Supports advanced search and replace operations using regular expressions, including multiline patterns. - Block Selection and Editing: Enables column-based text selection and editing, useful for modifying structured data. - Integration with External Tools: Can call external programs, such as compilers, and integrates seamlessly with Java JDK if installed. - Multi-Document Interface: Supports editing multiple files simultaneously with tabbed document selection and synchronized scrolling. - Clip Libraries: Offers snippet management for reusable text portions, enhancing efficiency in code and text editing. - Multi-Language Support: User interface available in multiple languages, with spelling dictionaries in ten languages. Primary Value and User Solutions: TextPad addresses the need for a powerful yet user-friendly text editor that bridges the gap between simple text editing and complex programming environments. Its extensive feature set, including large file handling, syntax highlighting, and macro capabilities, empowers users to efficiently manage and edit text and code. By integrating with external tools and supporting multiple languages, TextPad enhances productivity and adaptability, making it a valuable tool for developers, writers, and anyone requiring a reliable text editing solution. Reviewers say compared to Notepad++, TextPad is: - Slower to reach roi - More expensive Categories in common with Notepad++: [Text Editor](https://www.g2.com/categories/text-editor) **Compare:** [Notepad++ vs TextPad](https://www.g2.com/compare/notepad-vs-textpad) **Compare TextPad with other alternatives:** - [TextPad vs Visual Studio Code](https://www.g2.com/compare/textpad-vs-visual-studio-code) - [TextPad vs Sublime Text](https://www.g2.com/compare/sublime-text-vs-textpad) - [TextPad vs UltraEdit](https://www.g2.com/compare/textpad-vs-ultraedit) - [TextPad vs Brackets](https://www.g2.com/compare/brackets-vs-textpad) - [TextPad vs GNU Emacs](https://www.g2.com/compare/gnu-emacs-vs-textpad) - [TextPad vs gedit](https://www.g2.com/compare/textpad-vs-gedit) - [TextPad vs BBEdit](https://www.g2.com/compare/bbedit-vs-textpad) - [TextPad vs EmEditor](https://www.g2.com/compare/emeditor-vs-textpad) - [TextPad vs NoteTab](https://www.g2.com/compare/notetab-vs-textpad) ### 6. [GNU Emacs](https://www.g2.com/products/gnu-emacs/reviews) By FreeCAD **Average Rating:** 4.5/5 **Total Reviews:** 84 GNU Emacs is a customizable text editor that is an interpreter and dialect with extension to support text editing with content-sensitive editing modes, built-in documentation, Unicode support, and more. Reviewers say compared to Notepad++, GNU Emacs is: - Better at meeting requirements Categories in common with Notepad++: [Text Editor](https://www.g2.com/categories/text-editor) **Compare:** [Notepad++ vs GNU Emacs](https://www.g2.com/compare/gnu-emacs-vs-notepad) **Compare GNU Emacs with other alternatives:** - [GNU Emacs vs Visual Studio Code](https://www.g2.com/compare/gnu-emacs-vs-visual-studio-code) - [GNU Emacs vs Sublime Text](https://www.g2.com/compare/gnu-emacs-vs-sublime-text) - [GNU Emacs vs UltraEdit](https://www.g2.com/compare/gnu-emacs-vs-ultraedit) - [GNU Emacs vs Brackets](https://www.g2.com/compare/brackets-vs-gnu-emacs) - [GNU Emacs vs TextPad](https://www.g2.com/compare/gnu-emacs-vs-textpad) - [GNU Emacs vs gedit](https://www.g2.com/compare/gnu-emacs-vs-gedit) - [GNU Emacs vs BBEdit](https://www.g2.com/compare/bbedit-vs-gnu-emacs) - [GNU Emacs vs EmEditor](https://www.g2.com/compare/emeditor-vs-gnu-emacs) - [GNU Emacs vs NoteTab](https://www.g2.com/compare/gnu-emacs-vs-notetab) ### 7. [gedit](https://www.g2.com/products/gedit/reviews) By GNOME Foundation **Average Rating:** 4.0/5 **Total Reviews:** 76 gEdit is a general purpose text editor that includes internationalized text, syntax highlighting, undo/redo, file reverting, print and print preview support and more. Categories in common with Notepad++: [Text Editor](https://www.g2.com/categories/text-editor) **Compare:** [Notepad++ vs gedit](https://www.g2.com/compare/notepad-vs-gedit) **Compare gedit with other alternatives:** - [gedit vs Visual Studio Code](https://www.g2.com/compare/visual-studio-code-vs-gedit) - [gedit vs Sublime Text](https://www.g2.com/compare/sublime-text-vs-gedit) - [gedit vs UltraEdit](https://www.g2.com/compare/ultraedit-vs-gedit) - [gedit vs Brackets](https://www.g2.com/compare/brackets-vs-gedit) - [gedit vs TextPad](https://www.g2.com/compare/textpad-vs-gedit) - [gedit vs GNU Emacs](https://www.g2.com/compare/gnu-emacs-vs-gedit) - [gedit vs BBEdit](https://www.g2.com/compare/bbedit-vs-gedit) - [gedit vs EmEditor](https://www.g2.com/compare/emeditor-vs-gedit) - [gedit vs NoteTab](https://www.g2.com/compare/notetab-vs-gedit) ### 8. [BBEdit](https://www.g2.com/products/bbedit/reviews) By Bare Bones **Average Rating:** 4.5/5 **Total Reviews:** 64 BBEdit is a professional HTML and text editor for Macintosh that provides features for editing, searching, and minipulation of text for web authors and software developers. Reviewers say compared to Notepad++, BBEdit is: - More expensive - Better at support - Better at meeting requirements Categories in common with Notepad++: [Text Editor](https://www.g2.com/categories/text-editor) **Compare:** [Notepad++ vs BBEdit](https://www.g2.com/compare/bbedit-vs-notepad) **Compare BBEdit with other alternatives:** - [BBEdit vs Visual Studio Code](https://www.g2.com/compare/bbedit-vs-visual-studio-code) - [BBEdit vs Sublime Text](https://www.g2.com/compare/bbedit-vs-sublime-text) - [BBEdit vs UltraEdit](https://www.g2.com/compare/bbedit-vs-ultraedit) - [BBEdit vs Brackets](https://www.g2.com/compare/bbedit-vs-brackets) - [BBEdit vs TextPad](https://www.g2.com/compare/bbedit-vs-textpad) - [BBEdit vs GNU Emacs](https://www.g2.com/compare/bbedit-vs-gnu-emacs) - [BBEdit vs gedit](https://www.g2.com/compare/bbedit-vs-gedit) - [BBEdit vs EmEditor](https://www.g2.com/compare/bbedit-vs-emeditor) - [BBEdit vs NoteTab](https://www.g2.com/compare/bbedit-vs-notetab) ### 9. [EmEditor](https://www.g2.com/products/emeditor/reviews) By Emurasoft **Average Rating:** 4.4/5 **Total Reviews:** 27 EmEditor is a text editor for Windows that supplies larger files and Unicode, macros, plug-ins and more. Reviewers say compared to Notepad++, EmEditor is: - More expensive - Easier to set up Categories in common with Notepad++: [Text Editor](https://www.g2.com/categories/text-editor) **Compare:** [Notepad++ vs EmEditor](https://www.g2.com/compare/emeditor-vs-notepad) **Compare EmEditor with other alternatives:** - [EmEditor vs Visual Studio Code](https://www.g2.com/compare/emeditor-vs-visual-studio-code) - [EmEditor vs Sublime Text](https://www.g2.com/compare/emeditor-vs-sublime-text) - [EmEditor vs UltraEdit](https://www.g2.com/compare/emeditor-vs-ultraedit) - [EmEditor vs Brackets](https://www.g2.com/compare/brackets-vs-emeditor) - [EmEditor vs TextPad](https://www.g2.com/compare/emeditor-vs-textpad) - [EmEditor vs GNU Emacs](https://www.g2.com/compare/emeditor-vs-gnu-emacs) - [EmEditor vs gedit](https://www.g2.com/compare/emeditor-vs-gedit) - [EmEditor vs BBEdit](https://www.g2.com/compare/bbedit-vs-emeditor) - [EmEditor vs NoteTab](https://www.g2.com/compare/emeditor-vs-notetab) ### 10. [NoteTab](https://www.g2.com/products/notetab/reviews) By Fookes Software Ltd **Average Rating:** 4.7/5 **Total Reviews:** 25 NoteTab is a Notepad replacement HTML and text editor with text-processing, search and replace, capture and copy text to clipboard, reusable text snippets and macros, and other utilities to help the editing process. Reviewers say compared to Notepad++, NoteTab is: - More expensive - Better at meeting requirements - Better at support Categories in common with Notepad++: [Text Editor](https://www.g2.com/categories/text-editor) **Compare:** [Notepad++ vs NoteTab](https://www.g2.com/compare/notetab-vs-notepad) **Compare NoteTab with other alternatives:** - [NoteTab vs Visual Studio Code](https://www.g2.com/compare/notetab-vs-visual-studio-code) - [NoteTab vs Sublime Text](https://www.g2.com/compare/notetab-vs-sublime-text) - [NoteTab vs UltraEdit](https://www.g2.com/compare/notetab-vs-ultraedit) - [NoteTab vs Brackets](https://www.g2.com/compare/brackets-vs-notetab) - [NoteTab vs TextPad](https://www.g2.com/compare/notetab-vs-textpad) - [NoteTab vs GNU Emacs](https://www.g2.com/compare/gnu-emacs-vs-notetab) - [NoteTab vs gedit](https://www.g2.com/compare/notetab-vs-gedit) - [NoteTab vs BBEdit](https://www.g2.com/compare/bbedit-vs-notetab) - [NoteTab vs EmEditor](https://www.g2.com/compare/emeditor-vs-notetab) --- ## Notepad++ Alternatives FAQs ### What are the best alternatives to Notepad++? The best alternatives to Notepad++ are [Visual Studio Code](https://www.g2.com/products/visual-studio-code/reviews) (4.7/5 stars, 2697 reviews), [Sublime Text](https://www.g2.com/products/sublime-text/reviews) (4.5/5 stars, 1782 reviews), and [UltraEdit](https://www.g2.com/products/ultraedit/reviews) (4.7/5 stars, 1123 reviews). Visual Studio Code offers extensive language support, integrated debugging, Git integration, AI features like GitHub Copilot, and a vast extension marketplace. Sublime Text is known for its speed, lightweight design, multi-cursor editing, and powerful search capabilities. UltraEdit excels in handling very large files, offers professional technical support, and includes advanced features like column editing and scripting. ### What features do alternatives offer that Notepad++ does not? Notepad++ lacks native cross-platform support, modern user interface design, built-in debugging, integrated Git version control, AI-assisted coding features, and collaboration tools. It also does not include an integrated terminal or live preview capabilities. ### Which Text Editor tools do reviewers recommend instead of Notepad++? Reviewers highly recommend [Visual Studio Code](https://www.g2.com/products/visual-studio-code/reviews) for its ease of use, extensive extensions, integrated Git control, debugging features, and AI-assisted coding, making it suitable for both beginners and professionals. [Sublime Text](https://www.g2.com/products/sublime-text/reviews) is favored for its lightweight performance, fast startup, and efficient multi-cursor editing, ideal for quick edits and large files. [UltraEdit](https://www.g2.com/products/ultraedit/reviews) is recommended for users needing to work with very large files and requiring professional support and advanced editing capabilities. These alternatives address many of Notepad++'s limitations, particularly in modern UI, cross-platform support, and integrated development features. ### How does Notepad++ compare to Visual Studio Code? According to G2 data, [Notepad++](https://www.g2.com/products/notepad/reviews) and [Visual Studio Code](https://www.g2.com/products/visual-studio-code/reviews) both have high average ratings, with Visual Studio Code slightly ahead at 4.7/5 from 2,697 reviews compared to Notepad++'s 4.6/5 from 2,472 reviews. Notepad++ excels in ease of setup (9.5 vs 9.3) and usability (9.3 vs 9.2), while Visual Studio Code leads in meeting requirements (9.3 vs 9.2), support (8.7 vs 8.5), and ease of doing business (9.2 vs 8.9), with a 0.2 to 0.3 point advantage in these dimensions. User sentiment highlights Notepad++'s strengths in lightweight performance, speed, extensive language support, syntax highlighting, and efficient handling of large files, praised in 33, 29, 23, and 14 reviews respectively. However, its interface is frequently described as outdated (36 mentions), and it lacks advanced IDE features and cross-platform compatibility. Visual Studio Code is favored for its extensive extension ecosystem (88 mentions), integrated Git support (77 mentions), productivity improvements (73 mentions), and versatile language support (52 mentions). Its user interface and performance speed are also positively noted (40 mentions each). Yet, Visual Studio Code faces criticism for extension-related issues (62 mentions), slow performance under heavy extension use (37 mentions), and high memory consumption (23 mentions). Overall, [Notepad++](https://www.g2.com/products/notepad/reviews) is preferred for fast, lightweight text and code editing on Windows with strong plugin support, while [Visual Studio Code](https://www.g2.com/products/visual-studio-code/reviews) offers a more modern, extensible, and integrated development environment suitable for larger projects and cross-platform use, albeit with higher resource demands. ### Why do users choose Visual Studio Code over Notepad++? Users choose [Visual Studio Code](https://www.g2.com/products/visual-studio-code/reviews) over Notepad++ primarily for its comprehensive extension ecosystem, which is mentioned in 88 reviews, enabling customization for virtually any programming language or workflow. Its built-in Git integration (77 mentions) and productivity-enhancing features (73 mentions) streamline development tasks, making it a one-stop solution for coding, debugging, and version control. Visual Studio Code's modern, clean user interface (40 mentions) and cross-platform support make it accessible and efficient for diverse development environments. Additionally, Visual Studio Code offers integrated debugging tools, an inbuilt terminal, and AI-assisted coding features like GitHub Copilot, which significantly improve coding speed and accuracy. The editor's flexibility to handle multiple projects and languages within a single environment reduces context switching and enhances workflow efficiency. Despite some performance concerns related to extension overload and memory usage, users value Visual Studio Code's balance of lightweight design and powerful capabilities, as reflected in its 4.7-star rating across 2,697 reviews on G2. In summary, Visual Studio Code is chosen over Notepad++ for its richer feature set, extensibility, integrated development tools, and superior support for collaborative and complex coding projects, making it the preferred choice for professional developers seeking a versatile and modern IDE. ## Explore Articles - [Would Squadcast integrate well with existing tools like Slack and Jira?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/would-squadcast-integrate-well-with-existing-tools-like-slack-jira-and-aws-cloudwatch) - [What are the encryption key management solutions offering unified control across AWS, GCP, and Azure environments?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-are-the-encryption-key-management-solutions-offering-unified-control-across-aws-gcp-and-azure-environments ) - [Best cloud-based automated testing solutions](https://www.g2.com/discussions/best-cloud-based-automated-testing-solutions) - [Best functions of online reputation management software](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-are-some-best-functions-of-online-reputation-management-software) - [How deeply is MFA integrated into conditional access policies?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-deeply-is-mfa-integrated-into-conditional-access-policies) - [Best tools for real-time email engagement alerts](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-are-the-best-tools-for-real-time-email-engagement-alerts) ## Spotlight Categories - [Product Analytics Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/product-analytics) - [Talent Assessment Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/talent-assessment-software) - [Business Process Management Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/business-process-management)