saasrankedSoftware, ranked on the facts

code editor · Helix project

Helix

Free open-source modal terminal editor with built-in language server support and multiple selections.

45/100

#10 of 12 code editors
Facts checked 8 Oct 2026

In short

Helix suits people who live in a terminal and want a modal editor with built-in language server support and multiple selections1,8. It is free under MPL-2.03. The catch: no plugin system, an experimental debugger, and no release in the past 12 months1,4,8.

Best for: Keyboard-driven users who work in a terminal and want language server features built in.

Where the points come from

Systems11 of 22
Code tools13 of 37
Extending3 of 11
Licence and price18 of 18
Upkeep0 of 12

Systems 11 of 22 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Systems besides WindowsmacOS, LinuxRelease assets include macOS and Linux archives; no web version is listed4.6 / 9
Portable Windows buildYesRelease assets list a Windows x86_64 .zip (helix-25.07.1-x86_64-windows.zip); the install guide points to the releases for pre-built binaries2,4.5 / 5
Remote editingNot publishedNot published on the vendor's command list or FAQ7,9.0 / 8

Code tools 13 of 37 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Language Server ProtocolYesHome page lists language-specific completion, goto definition, diagnostics and other IDE features with no additional configuration; docs list default servers per language1,5.10 / 10
DebuggerNoKeymap docs label the debug menu "experimental"8.0 / 9
Built-in terminalNot publishedNot published on the vendor's commands page or FAQ; the FAQ suggests a separate terminal pane7,9.0 / 6
Git in the editorNot publishedNot published on the vendor's commands page; the FAQ shows no git integration7,9.0 / 6
Multiple cursorsYesKeymap documents copying a selection to the next or previous line and splitting selections8.3 / 3
Live collaborationNot publishedNot published on the vendor's home page or FAQ1,9.0 / 3

Extending 3 of 11 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Extension directoryNoHome page says there is currently no plugin system available1.0 / 8
Custom key bindingsYesKeys are remapped in a config.toml file6.3 / 3

Licence and price 18 of 18 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Free for work useYesOpen-source editor under MPL-2.0, a royalty-free licence; no paid plan is listed3.6 / 6
Price$0Free open-source editor; no paid licence3.6 / 6
Open sourceYesRepository is licensed MPL-2.03.6 / 6

Upkeep 0 of 12 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Release in the past yearNoNewest stable release is 25.07.1, published July 18, 2025, over 12 months before October 20264.0 / 8
Telemetry off or noneNot publishedNot published on the vendor's editor settings page10.0 / 4

The rule behind each line: how we score code editors.

Plans and prices

As the vendor lists them, before tax. Prices are in US dollars unless the plan shows euros; the points use US dollars, with euros converted at the ECB rate.

PlanPrice as listedPer monthNotes
Free1 personFree3$0Open source under MPL-2.0; no paid plan

Strengths

  • Free and open source under MPL-2.03.
  • Built-in language server support with no additional configuration, per the project's home page1.
  • Multiple selections are a core editing primitive1,8.
  • Windows gets a zip build with each of the latest releases4.
  • Key remapping through a config.toml file6.

Limits

  • There is currently no plugin system1.
  • The debugger entry in the keymap is marked experimental8.
  • The newest release is dated July 18, 20254.
  • It runs inside a terminal; no built-in terminal panel, git commit or remote editing is documented1,7,9.

Other code editors

  1. 1
    Visual Studio CodePeople who want one editor for many languages, with remote editing and an extension marketplace
    94/100
    $0price
  2. 2
    ZedPeople who want a free editor with debugging and collaboration built in
    92/100
    $0price
  3. 3
    GNU EmacsPeople who want a free editor they can reshape in Emacs Lisp, with many tools built in
    87/100
    $0price
  4. 4
    VSCodiumPeople who want VS Code's editor as a fully open-source build without Microsoft telemetry
    78/100
    $0price

All 12 code editors

Sources

  1. Helix, Helix project. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  2. Installation, Helix project. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  3. helix-editor/helix, GitHub. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  4. Releases, GitHub. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  5. Language support, Helix project. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  6. Remapping keys, Helix project. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  7. Commands, Helix project. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  8. Keymap, Helix project. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  9. FAQ, Helix project. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  10. Editor configuration, Helix project. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.

Website: helix-editor.com · Markdown version · We are not affiliated with Helix project.