# Top 10 Visual Studio Code Alternatives & Competitors
**Average Rating:** 4.7/5
**Total Number of Reviews:** 2,701
Research alternative solutions to Visual Studio Code on G2, with real user reviews on competing tools. Other important factors to consider when researching alternatives to Visual Studio Code include extensions and projects. The best overall Visual Studio Code alternative is Notepad++. Other similar apps like Visual Studio Code are Sublime Text, UltraEdit, Brackets, and TextPad. Visual Studio Code alternatives can be found in [Text Editor Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/text-editor) but may also be in [Web Design Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/web-design).


## Best Paid & Free Alternatives to Visual Studio Code
  - [Notepad++](https://www.g2.com/products/notepad/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)
  - [CodePen](https://www.g2.com/products/codepen/reviews)
  - [GNU Emacs](https://www.g2.com/products/gnu-emacs/reviews)
  - [BBEdit](https://www.g2.com/products/bbedit/reviews)
  - [Bluefish](https://www.g2.com/products/bluefish/reviews)
  - [Textmate](https://www.g2.com/products/textmate/reviews)

## Top 10 Alternatives to Visual Studio Code Recently Reviewed By G2 Community
Browse options below. Based on reviewer data, you can see how Visual Studio Code stacks up to the competition, check reviews from current & previous users in industries like Computer Software, Financial Services, and Higher Education, and find the best product for your business.


  ### 1. [Notepad++](https://www.g2.com/products/notepad/reviews)
By Notepad++
**Average Rating:** 4.6/5
**Total Reviews:** 2,472
Notepad++ is a free, open-source text and source code editor for Windows, designed to provide a lightweight yet powerful alternative to the standard Notepad. Developed in C++ and utilizing the Scintilla editing component, it offers enhanced performance and a wide array of features tailored for developers and general users alike. Key Features and Functionality: - Syntax Highlighting and Folding: Supports over 70 programming, scripting, and markup languages, including C, C++, Java, HTML, XML, and Python, facilitating easier code reading and organization. - Tabbed Document Interface: Allows users to work with multiple open files within a single window, enhancing productivity and ease of navigation. - Auto-Completion: Provides suggestions for code completion, reducing typing effort and minimizing errors. - Search and Replace with Regular Expressions: Enables powerful text manipulation capabilities across multiple documents. - Multi-View and Multi-Edit: Supports split-screen editing and synchronized scrolling, allowing simultaneous editing of different parts of a document or multiple documents. - Macro Recording and Playback: Automates repetitive tasks by recording sequences of actions for later use. - Plugin Support: Extensible through a robust plugin architecture, with over 140 plugins available to add functionalities such as FTP support, spell checking, and more. Primary Value and User Solutions: Notepad++ addresses the need for a versatile and efficient text editor that caters to both simple text editing and complex coding tasks. Its lightweight design ensures quick startup and responsiveness, while the extensive feature set supports a wide range of programming and scripting needs. By offering a customizable interface, support for numerous languages, and the ability to handle large files, Notepad++ enhances productivity and streamlines the development process for programmers, web developers, and general users seeking an advanced text editing solution.


Reviewers say compared to Visual Studio Code, Notepad++ is:
- Slower to reach roi
- More expensive
- Easier to admin
Categories in common with Visual Studio Code: [Text Editor](https://www.g2.com/categories/text-editor)

**Compare:** [Visual Studio Code vs Notepad++](https://www.g2.com/compare/notepad-vs-visual-studio-code)
**Compare Notepad++ with other alternatives:**
- [Notepad++ vs Sublime Text](https://www.g2.com/compare/notepad-vs-sublime-text)
- [Notepad++ vs UltraEdit](https://www.g2.com/compare/notepad-vs-ultraedit)
- [Notepad++ vs Brackets](https://www.g2.com/compare/brackets-vs-notepad)
- [Notepad++ vs TextPad](https://www.g2.com/compare/notepad-vs-textpad)
- [Notepad++ vs CodePen](https://www.g2.com/compare/codepen-vs-notepad)
- [Notepad++ vs GNU Emacs](https://www.g2.com/compare/gnu-emacs-vs-notepad)
- [Notepad++ vs BBEdit](https://www.g2.com/compare/bbedit-vs-notepad)
- [Notepad++ vs Bluefish](https://www.g2.com/compare/bluefish-vs-notepad)
- [Notepad++ vs Textmate](https://www.g2.com/compare/notepad-vs-textmate)

  ### 2. [Sublime Text](https://www.g2.com/products/sublime-text/reviews)
By Sublime HQ
**Average Rating:** 4.5/5
**Total Reviews:** 1,782
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 Visual Studio Code, Sublime Text is:
- More expensive
Categories in common with Visual Studio Code: [Text Editor](https://www.g2.com/categories/text-editor)

**Compare:** [Visual Studio Code vs Sublime Text](https://www.g2.com/compare/sublime-text-vs-visual-studio-code)
**Compare Sublime Text with other alternatives:**
- [Sublime Text vs Notepad++](https://www.g2.com/compare/notepad-vs-sublime-text)
- [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 CodePen](https://www.g2.com/compare/codepen-vs-sublime-text)
- [Sublime Text vs GNU Emacs](https://www.g2.com/compare/gnu-emacs-vs-sublime-text)
- [Sublime Text vs BBEdit](https://www.g2.com/compare/bbedit-vs-sublime-text)
- [Sublime Text vs Bluefish](https://www.g2.com/compare/bluefish-vs-sublime-text)
- [Sublime Text vs Textmate](https://www.g2.com/compare/sublime-text-vs-textmate)

  ### 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 Visual Studio Code, UltraEdit is:
- More expensive
- Better at support
- Easier to do business with
Categories in common with Visual Studio Code: [Text Editor](https://www.g2.com/categories/text-editor)

**Compare:** [Visual Studio Code vs UltraEdit](https://www.g2.com/compare/ultraedit-vs-visual-studio-code)
**Compare UltraEdit with other alternatives:**
- [UltraEdit vs Notepad++](https://www.g2.com/compare/notepad-vs-ultraedit)
- [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 CodePen](https://www.g2.com/compare/codepen-vs-ultraedit)
- [UltraEdit vs GNU Emacs](https://www.g2.com/compare/gnu-emacs-vs-ultraedit)
- [UltraEdit vs BBEdit](https://www.g2.com/compare/bbedit-vs-ultraedit)
- [UltraEdit vs Bluefish](https://www.g2.com/compare/bluefish-vs-ultraedit)
- [UltraEdit vs Textmate](https://www.g2.com/compare/textmate-vs-ultraedit)

  ### 4. [Brackets](https://www.g2.com/products/brackets/reviews)
By Adobe
**Average Rating:** 4.4/5
**Total Reviews:** 261
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.


Reviewers say compared to Visual Studio Code, Brackets is:
- Easier to set up
Categories in common with Visual Studio Code: [Text Editor](https://www.g2.com/categories/text-editor)

**Compare:** [Visual Studio Code vs Brackets](https://www.g2.com/compare/brackets-vs-visual-studio-code)
**Compare Brackets with other alternatives:**
- [Brackets vs Notepad++](https://www.g2.com/compare/brackets-vs-notepad)
- [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 CodePen](https://www.g2.com/compare/brackets-vs-codepen)
- [Brackets vs GNU Emacs](https://www.g2.com/compare/brackets-vs-gnu-emacs)
- [Brackets vs BBEdit](https://www.g2.com/compare/bbedit-vs-brackets)
- [Brackets vs Bluefish](https://www.g2.com/compare/bluefish-vs-brackets)
- [Brackets vs Textmate](https://www.g2.com/compare/brackets-vs-textmate)

  ### 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 Visual Studio Code, TextPad is:
- Slower to reach roi
- More expensive
- Easier to set up
Categories in common with Visual Studio Code: [Text Editor](https://www.g2.com/categories/text-editor)

**Compare:** [Visual Studio Code vs TextPad](https://www.g2.com/compare/textpad-vs-visual-studio-code)
**Compare TextPad with other alternatives:**
- [TextPad vs Notepad++](https://www.g2.com/compare/notepad-vs-textpad)
- [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 CodePen](https://www.g2.com/compare/codepen-vs-textpad)
- [TextPad vs GNU Emacs](https://www.g2.com/compare/gnu-emacs-vs-textpad)
- [TextPad vs BBEdit](https://www.g2.com/compare/bbedit-vs-textpad)
- [TextPad vs Bluefish](https://www.g2.com/compare/bluefish-vs-textpad)
- [TextPad vs Textmate](https://www.g2.com/compare/textpad-vs-textmate)

  ### 6. [CodePen](https://www.g2.com/products/codepen/reviews)
By CodePen
**Average Rating:** 4.6/5
**Total Reviews:** 96
CodePen is a social development environment for front-end designers and developers.


Reviewers say compared to Visual Studio Code, CodePen is:
- More expensive
- More usable
Categories in common with Visual Studio Code: [Text Editor](https://www.g2.com/categories/text-editor)

**Compare:** [Visual Studio Code vs CodePen](https://www.g2.com/compare/codepen-vs-visual-studio-code)
**Compare CodePen with other alternatives:**
- [CodePen vs Notepad++](https://www.g2.com/compare/codepen-vs-notepad)
- [CodePen vs Sublime Text](https://www.g2.com/compare/codepen-vs-sublime-text)
- [CodePen vs UltraEdit](https://www.g2.com/compare/codepen-vs-ultraedit)
- [CodePen vs Brackets](https://www.g2.com/compare/brackets-vs-codepen)
- [CodePen vs TextPad](https://www.g2.com/compare/codepen-vs-textpad)
- [CodePen vs GNU Emacs](https://www.g2.com/compare/codepen-vs-gnu-emacs)
- [CodePen vs BBEdit](https://www.g2.com/compare/bbedit-vs-codepen)
- [CodePen vs Bluefish](https://www.g2.com/compare/bluefish-vs-codepen)
- [CodePen vs Textmate](https://www.g2.com/compare/codepen-vs-textmate)

  ### 7. [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.


Categories in common with Visual Studio Code: [Text Editor](https://www.g2.com/categories/text-editor)

**Compare:** [Visual Studio Code vs GNU Emacs](https://www.g2.com/compare/gnu-emacs-vs-visual-studio-code)
**Compare GNU Emacs with other alternatives:**
- [GNU Emacs vs Notepad++](https://www.g2.com/compare/gnu-emacs-vs-notepad)
- [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 CodePen](https://www.g2.com/compare/codepen-vs-gnu-emacs)
- [GNU Emacs vs BBEdit](https://www.g2.com/compare/bbedit-vs-gnu-emacs)
- [GNU Emacs vs Bluefish](https://www.g2.com/compare/bluefish-vs-gnu-emacs)
- [GNU Emacs vs Textmate](https://www.g2.com/compare/gnu-emacs-vs-textmate)

  ### 8. [BBEdit](https://www.g2.com/products/bbedit/reviews)
By Bare Bones
**Average Rating:** 4.5/5
**Total Reviews:** 63
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 Visual Studio Code, BBEdit is:
- More expensive
- Better at support
Categories in common with Visual Studio Code: [Text Editor](https://www.g2.com/categories/text-editor)

**Compare:** [Visual Studio Code vs BBEdit](https://www.g2.com/compare/bbedit-vs-visual-studio-code)
**Compare BBEdit with other alternatives:**
- [BBEdit vs Notepad++](https://www.g2.com/compare/bbedit-vs-notepad)
- [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 CodePen](https://www.g2.com/compare/bbedit-vs-codepen)
- [BBEdit vs GNU Emacs](https://www.g2.com/compare/bbedit-vs-gnu-emacs)
- [BBEdit vs Bluefish](https://www.g2.com/compare/bbedit-vs-bluefish)
- [BBEdit vs Textmate](https://www.g2.com/compare/bbedit-vs-textmate)

  ### 9. [Bluefish](https://www.g2.com/products/bluefish/reviews)
By Bluefish Editor
**Average Rating:** 4.1/5
**Total Reviews:** 51
Bluefish is a robust, open-source text editor tailored for programmers and web developers, offering a versatile platform for creating websites, scripts, and code across various programming and markup languages. Designed to bridge the gap between simple text editors and full-fledged integrated development environments (IDEs), Bluefish provides a lightweight yet feature-rich environment that is both fast and easy to learn. Key Features and Functionality: - Multi-Language Support: Bluefish offers syntax highlighting and auto-completion for 47 different programming and markup languages, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, Python, and C. - Advanced Editing Tools: Features such as code folding, auto-recovery, and a code-aware spell-checker enhance the coding experience. - Project Management: Supports multiple projects with the ability to open multiple files simultaneously, facilitating efficient workflow management. - Remote File Access: Integrates with GNOME Virtual File System (GVfs) to enable seamless editing of files over FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, and more. - Customizable Interface: Offers a user-friendly interface with configurable toolbars and dialogs, allowing users to tailor the environment to their preferences. Primary Value and User Solutions: Bluefish addresses the needs of developers seeking a powerful yet lightweight editor that supports a wide range of programming and markup languages. Its extensive feature set, including advanced editing tools and project management capabilities, streamlines the development process, enhancing productivity. The ability to access and edit remote files directly within the editor simplifies workflows for developers working on web projects. By providing a customizable and efficient coding environment, Bluefish empowers developers to focus on writing quality code without the overhead of more complex IDEs.


Reviewers say compared to Visual Studio Code, Bluefish is:
- More expensive
Categories in common with Visual Studio Code: [Text Editor](https://www.g2.com/categories/text-editor)

**Compare:** [Visual Studio Code vs Bluefish](https://www.g2.com/compare/bluefish-vs-visual-studio-code)
**Compare Bluefish with other alternatives:**
- [Bluefish vs Notepad++](https://www.g2.com/compare/bluefish-vs-notepad)
- [Bluefish vs Sublime Text](https://www.g2.com/compare/bluefish-vs-sublime-text)
- [Bluefish vs UltraEdit](https://www.g2.com/compare/bluefish-vs-ultraedit)
- [Bluefish vs Brackets](https://www.g2.com/compare/bluefish-vs-brackets)
- [Bluefish vs TextPad](https://www.g2.com/compare/bluefish-vs-textpad)
- [Bluefish vs CodePen](https://www.g2.com/compare/bluefish-vs-codepen)
- [Bluefish vs GNU Emacs](https://www.g2.com/compare/bluefish-vs-gnu-emacs)
- [Bluefish vs BBEdit](https://www.g2.com/compare/bbedit-vs-bluefish)
- [Bluefish vs Textmate](https://www.g2.com/compare/bluefish-vs-textmate)

  ### 10. [Textmate](https://www.g2.com/products/textmate/reviews)
By MacroMates
**Average Rating:** 4.4/5
**Total Reviews:** 27
TextMate is a general-purpose GUI text editor for Mac OS X.


Reviewers say compared to Visual Studio Code, Textmate is:
- More expensive
- More usable
Categories in common with Visual Studio Code: [Text Editor](https://www.g2.com/categories/text-editor)

**Compare:** [Visual Studio Code vs Textmate](https://www.g2.com/compare/textmate-vs-visual-studio-code)
**Compare Textmate with other alternatives:**
- [Textmate vs Notepad++](https://www.g2.com/compare/notepad-vs-textmate)
- [Textmate vs Sublime Text](https://www.g2.com/compare/sublime-text-vs-textmate)
- [Textmate vs UltraEdit](https://www.g2.com/compare/textmate-vs-ultraedit)
- [Textmate vs Brackets](https://www.g2.com/compare/brackets-vs-textmate)
- [Textmate vs TextPad](https://www.g2.com/compare/textpad-vs-textmate)
- [Textmate vs CodePen](https://www.g2.com/compare/codepen-vs-textmate)
- [Textmate vs GNU Emacs](https://www.g2.com/compare/gnu-emacs-vs-textmate)
- [Textmate vs BBEdit](https://www.g2.com/compare/bbedit-vs-textmate)
- [Textmate vs Bluefish](https://www.g2.com/compare/bluefish-vs-textmate)


---
## Visual Studio Code Alternatives FAQs

### What are the best alternatives to Visual Studio Code?

The best alternatives to Visual Studio Code include [Notepad++](https://www.g2.com/products/notepad/reviews) (4.6/5 stars, 2472 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). These alternatives are highly rated and widely used, offering strong performance and feature sets for text editing and coding tasks.



### Which Text Editor tools do reviewers recommend instead of Visual Studio Code?

Reviewers frequently recommend [Notepad++](https://www.g2.com/products/notepad/reviews) for its lightweight design, fast startup, extensive plugin ecosystem, and excellent handling of large files, making it ideal for quick edits and log analysis. [Sublime Text](https://www.g2.com/products/sublime-text/reviews) is praised for its remarkable speed, distraction-free interface, multi-cursor editing, and powerful search capabilities, which enhance productivity especially for quick code edits and large file handling. [UltraEdit](https://www.g2.com/products/ultraedit/reviews) is recommended for its ability to handle very large files efficiently, robust multi-language support, powerful search and replace features, and professional technical support. Additionally, [Brackets](https://www.g2.com/products/brackets/reviews) is favored for web development due to its live preview, inline editing, and ease of use for HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. [TextPad](https://www.g2.com/products/textpad/reviews) is noted for its lightweight nature, large file support, and powerful search and replace functionality. [CodePen](https://www.g2.com/products/codepen/reviews) is recommended as a web-based environment for front-end development with real-time preview and collaboration features. [GNU Emacs](https://www.g2.com/products/gnu-emacs/reviews) is valued for its extensibility, customization, and powerful keyboard-driven workflow, especially in Linux environments. [BBEdit](https://www.g2.com/products/bbedit/reviews) is appreciated for its speed, reliability, powerful text manipulation, and Mac integration. [Bluefish](https://www.g2.com/products/bluefish/reviews) is recognized for its lightweight design, multi-language support, and suitability for web development. [TextMate](https://www.g2.com/products/textmate/reviews) is recommended for macOS users for its powerful features, syntax highlighting, and ease of use. These recommendations are supported by user reviews highlighting ease of use, performance, language support, and specialized features suited to various development needs.



### How does Visual Studio Code compare to Notepad++?

According to G2 data, [Visual Studio Code](https://www.g2.com/products/visual-studio-code/reviews) (VS Code) holds a slight advantage in average rating with 4.7/5 across 2,697 reviews compared to Notepad++'s 4.6/5 from 2,472 reviews. VS Code scores higher in meeting requirements (9.3 vs 9.2) and ease of use (9.2 vs 9.3), while Notepad++ leads in ease of setup (9.5 vs 9.3) and ease of administration (9.2 vs 9.0) by 0.2 points each. VS Code excels in support (8.7 vs 8.5) and ease of doing business (9.2 vs 8.9) by 0.2 and 0.3 points respectively. VS Code is praised for its extensive extension ecosystem (88 mentions), integrated Git support (77 mentions), productivity improvements (73 mentions), and lightweight performance (61 mentions). Users highlight its speed, customization, debugging features, and cross-platform capabilities. However, it faces criticism for extension conflicts (62 mentions), performance slowdowns with many extensions (37 mentions), and complexity in configuration (27 mentions). Notepad++ is valued for its lightweight design (33 mentions), speed (29 mentions), syntax highlighting (22 mentions), and ability to handle large files efficiently (14 mentions). It is appreciated for simplicity and fast startup but is noted to have an outdated interface (36 mentions), limited compatibility (21 mentions), and lacks advanced IDE features such as integrated debugging and Git support. Notepad++ is primarily Windows-only, limiting cross-platform use. Overall, VS Code offers a more modern, extensible, and integrated development environment suitable for complex projects and collaboration, while Notepad++ provides a fast, lightweight, and straightforward text editing experience, especially for Windows users handling large files or simple coding tasks.



### Why do users choose Notepad++ over Visual Studio Code?

Users choose [Notepad++](https://www.g2.com/products/notepad/reviews) over Visual Studio Code primarily for its lightweight and fast performance, with 33 mentions highlighting its speed and low resource consumption. Notepad++ opens instantly and handles large files smoothly, making it ideal for quick edits and log analysis without the overhead of a full IDE. Its simplicity and ease of use are frequently cited, with 48 mentions praising its straightforward interface and minimal learning curve. The tabbed editing and syntax highlighting for multiple programming languages (22 mentions) enhance usability for coding and text editing tasks. Additionally, Notepad++'s plugin ecosystem, though smaller, allows customization without significantly impacting performance. Users also appreciate Notepad++'s autosave and session management features, which preserve work even if files are not manually saved. The free and open-source nature, combined with a reliable and stable experience on Windows, makes it a preferred choice for users seeking a no-frills, efficient editor for everyday coding and text manipulation. Its lower complexity and resource demands are especially favored by those working on older or less powerful hardware or requiring a simple tool for quick tasks.




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