--- title: Notepad++ canonical: https://saasranked.com/software/notepad-plus-plus/ category: Code Editors points: 45 rank: 11 of 12 facts_checked: 2026-10-08 --- # Notepad++ Free, open-source Windows source code editor with a plugin system and portable builds. 45 points out of 100. #11 of 12 code editors. Vendor: Notepad++ project. Website: https://notepad-plus-plus.org/ - Notepad++ is free software under the GNU General Public License [1]. - Version 8.9.8.1 is dated September 24, 2026 [2]. - Portable zip and 7z builds are offered besides the installer, for x64, x86 and ARM64 [2]. - It is built for Microsoft Windows; the project lists no macOS or Linux build [3][8]. - Plugins Admin lists plugins you can install from inside the editor [5]. Verdict: Notepad++ suits Windows users who want a free, open-source editor with portable builds, multi-editing and plugins [1][2][4][5]. The manual does not document a built-in terminal, git, debugger or language servers. The project's author says its update service was compromised in 2025 [9]. Best for: Windows users who want a free editor for quick edits and scripts. ## Points | Criterion | Line | Value | Points | Note | |---|---|---|---|---| | Systems | Systems besides Windows | None | 0/9 | Manual says it is for use under Microsoft Windows; the README lists Windows systems only [3][8]. | | Systems | Portable Windows build | Yes | 5/5 | Release page lists Portable (zip), Portable (7z) and Mini-portable (7z) downloads [2]. | | Systems | Remote editing | Not published | 0/8 | Not published in the project's user manual [10]. | | Code tools | Language Server Protocol | Not published | 0/10 | Not published in the project's user manual; its auto-completion section lists no language servers [7]. | | Code tools | Debugger | Not published | 0/9 | Not published in the project's user manual [10]. | | Code tools | Built-in terminal | Not published | 0/6 | Not published in the project's user manual [10]. | | Code tools | Git in the editor | Not published | 0/6 | Not published in the project's user manual [10]. | | Code tools | Multiple cursors | Yes | 3/3 | Manual documents Multi-Editing with Ctrl+Click carets and multiple selections [4]. | | Code tools | Live collaboration | Not published | 0/3 | Not published in the project's user manual [10]. | | Extending | Extension directory | Yes | 8/8 | Plugins Admin lists and installs plugins; the manual explains how to write a plugin [5]. | | Extending | Custom key bindings | Yes | 3/3 | The manual documents a Shortcut Mapper and the shortcuts.xml file [6]. | | Licence and price | Free for work use | Yes | 6/6 | Free software under the GNU General Public License [1]. | | Licence and price | Price | $0 | 6/6 | No paid licence; free software [1]. | | Licence and price | Open source | Yes | 6/6 | Site and GitHub README say use is governed by the GPL [1][8]. | | Upkeep | Release in the past year | Yes | 8/8 | Version 8.9.8.1 is dated 2026-09-24 on the downloads page [2]. | | Upkeep | Telemetry off or none | Not published | 0/4 | Not published in the manual's Preferences or Getting started pages [3][6]. | ## Plans | Plan | Price | Per month (USD) | |---|---|---| | Notepad++ | Free [1] | $0 | ## Strengths - Free and open source under the GPL [1]. - Portable zip, 7z and mini-portable builds for Windows [2]. - Plugins Admin installs plugins from a list, and the manual explains how to write one [5]. - Multi-editing with several carets and selections is documented [4]. - Release 8.9.8.1 is dated September 24, 2026 [2]. ## Limits - Windows only: the project describes a Windows editor and lists no macOS, Linux or browser version [3][8]. - Its auto-completion uses word, function and path lists; the manual does not mention language servers [7]. - Multi-editing works with the mouse only and not with column-block selection [4]. - The project's author says its update service was compromised in 2025 and some users' update requests were redirected [9]. ## Vendor claims (not scored) - The Notepad++ site says its native Win32 C++ code gives faster execution and a smaller program size [1]. ## Concerns - The Register reported on February 2, 2026 that the project's author said its update service was compromised in 2025, with traffic from some targeted users redirected to malicious update manifests; the author estimated the compromise lasted from June through December 2, 2025 [9]. ## Sources 1. [Notepad++ home page](https://notepad-plus-plus.org/), Notepad++ project, accessed 2026-10-08 2. [Notepad++ v8.9.8.1 downloads](https://notepad-plus-plus.org/downloads/v8.9.8.1/), Notepad++ project, accessed 2026-10-08 3. [Getting started](https://npp-user-manual.org/docs/getting-started/), Notepad++ User Manual, accessed 2026-10-08 4. [Editing](https://npp-user-manual.org/docs/editing/), Notepad++ User Manual, accessed 2026-10-08 5. [Plugins](https://npp-user-manual.org/docs/plugins/), Notepad++ User Manual, accessed 2026-10-08 6. [Preferences](https://npp-user-manual.org/docs/preferences/), Notepad++ User Manual, accessed 2026-10-08 7. [Auto-completion](https://npp-user-manual.org/docs/auto-completion/), Notepad++ User Manual, accessed 2026-10-08 8. [notepad-plus-plus/notepad-plus-plus](https://github.com/notepad-plus-plus/notepad-plus-plus), GitHub, accessed 2026-10-08 9. [Notepad++ update service hijacked in targeted state-linked attack](https://www.theregister.com/2026/02/02/notepad_plusplus_intrusion/), The Register, accessed 2026-10-08 10. [Notepad++ User Manual contents](https://npp-user-manual.org/docs/), Notepad++ User Manual, accessed 2026-10-08