code editor · KDE

Kate

Free, open-source text editor from KDE with a language server client, a debugger front end and an embedded terminal.

60/100

#8 of 12 code editors
Facts checked 8 Oct 2026

In short

Kate's source is public, and the repository licenses contributions under LGPL-2.0-or-later or MIT⁹.
Windows users get it from the Microsoft Store, a nightly installer or Chocolatey².
The LSP Client plugin adds code completion, code navigation and diagnostics⁴.
The GDB plugin is a front end for any debugger that speaks the Debug Adapter Protocol, with breakpoints and stepping⁵.
The newest tag is v26.08.2, dated October 6, 2026¹⁰.

Kate suits people who want a free, open-source editor with language server support, a debugger front end and an embedded terminal^4,5,6,9. It costs nothing and is still maintained, with tags through October 2026^9,10. The catch: its handbook documents no git commits or SSH editing, the download page lists no portable Windows build or web version, and macOS builds are nightly only^2,7,13.

Best for: People who want a free editor with built-in language server support.

Where the points come from

Systems3 of 22

Code tools28 of 37

Extending3 of 11

Licence and price18 of 18

Upkeep8 of 12

Systems 3 of 22 points

Rule	What is published	Points
Systems besides Windows	LinuxLinux packages, Flatpak and Snap are listed. macOS has nightly installers only, which we do not count; no web version^1,2.	3 / 9
Portable Windows build	Not publishedNot published on the download page; Windows options listed are Microsoft Store, nightly installer and Chocolatey².	0 / 5
Remote editing	Not publishedNot published in the handbook. It mentions KDE network transparency to open remote files, with no SSH, container or WSL editing¹³.	0 / 8

Code tools 28 of 37 points

Rule	What is published	Points
Language Server Protocol	YesThe handbook documents the LSP Client plugin, with code completion, navigation and diagnostics⁴.	10 / 10
Debugger	YesThe GDB plugin documents breakpoints and stepping, and is a front end for any Debug Adapter Protocol debugger⁵.	9 / 9
Built-in terminal	YesThe Terminal Tool View plugin embeds a Konsole terminal under the editing area⁶.	6 / 6
Git in the editor	Not publishedNot published on the handbook's Projects page, which only reads the file list from git⁷.	0 / 6
Multiple cursors	YesThe KatePart handbook has a Multiple cursors chapter on creating and working with them⁸.	3 / 3
Live collaboration	Not publishedNot published on the about page or the handbook^3,12.	0 / 3

Extending 3 of 11 points

Rule	What is published	Points
Extension directory	Not publishedNot published on the Kate site or handbook: plugins are described, but no public directory or extension API^3,12.	0 / 8
Custom key bindings	YesHandbook says many shortcuts are configurable through the Settings menu¹².	3 / 3

Licence and price 18 of 18 points

Rule	What is published	Points
Free for work use	YesOpen-source licence with no fee, so commercial use is free⁹.	6 / 6
Price	$0Free and open source⁹.	6 / 6
Open source	YesThe kate repository licenses contributions under LGPL-2.0-or-later or MIT⁹.	6 / 6

Upkeep 8 of 12 points

Rule	What is published	Points
Release in the past year	YesTag v26.08.2 is dated October 6, 2026; v26.08.0 is dated August 14, 2026¹⁰.	8 / 8
Telemetry off or none	Not publishedNot published for Kate. KDE's apps privacy policy says any telemetry is opt-in and off by default, but names no application¹¹.	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.

Plan	Price as listed	Per month	Notes
Free1 person	Free^2,9	$0	Open source; Microsoft Store, nightly installer or Chocolatey on Windows

Strengths

Open source: the repository licenses contributions under LGPL-2.0-or-later or MIT⁹.
LSP Client plugin offers completion, code navigation and diagnostics⁴.
Debugger front end supports breakpoints, stepping and any Debug Adapter Protocol debugger⁵.
Embedded terminal and multiple cursors are documented^6,8.
Regular releases: two KDE Gear feature versions in 2026 so far (26.04 and 26.08), plus patch tags¹⁰.

Limits

No portable or zip build for Windows is listed on the download page².
macOS builds are nightly installers only, and there is no web version².
The handbook's Projects page documents reading the file list from git, not showing changes or committing⁷.
No documented SSH, container or WSL editing; only general network file opening¹³.

Other code editors

1
Visual Studio CodePeople who want one editor for many languages, with remote editing and an extension marketplace
94/100
$0price
2
ZedPeople who want a free editor with debugging and collaboration built in
92/100
$0price
3
GNU EmacsPeople who want a free editor they can reshape in Emacs Lisp, with many tools built in
87/100
$0price
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

Kate - Get an Edge in Editing, KDE. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Get Kate, KDE. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
About Kate, KDE. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
LSP Client Plugin, KDE. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
GDB Plugin, KDE. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Terminal Tool View Plugin, KDE. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Projects Plugin, KDE. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
The KatePart Handbook, KDE. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
KDE/kate, GitHub. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Tags, utilities/kate, KDE Invent. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
KDE Applications Privacy Policy, KDE. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Working with Kate, KDE. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Fundamentals, KDE. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.

Website: kate-editor.org · Markdown version · We are not affiliated with KDE.