Notepad++ vs Vim

Notepad++9.1Visit VVim8.9Visit

Higher score Notepad++ #4 in Text Editors 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Notepad++

vs

V Vim #6 in Text Editors 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 5 features Visit Vim

• Notepad++ fits best

  Windows users wanting a capable free editor

• Vim fits best

  Vim users wanting a mature free editor

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Side by side

Feature	Notepad++ 9.1/10 Visit ↗	VVim 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.1	8.9
Ranking	#4 in Text Editors	#6 in Text Editors
Best for	Windows users wanting a capable free editor	Vim users wanting a mature free editor
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows	Windows, macOS, Linux
Support	Community, Docs	Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Notepad++ 5/5 · Vim 3/5
Multi-cursor editing	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Macro recording	✓	✓
Column editing	✓	✓
Large-file handling	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Extension support	✓	✓
Specs
Supported platforms	Windows	Windows, macOS, Linux
Our review
Pros	Multi-cursor, multi-selection, and column editing support Macros, regex search, workspaces, and project panels Free, open-source software under the GNU GPL license	Free and open source across Windows, macOS, and Linux Macros, blockwise editing, windows, and buffers support precise workflows Plugins, scripting, syntax highlighting, and filetype tools extend its scope
Cons	Windows-only availability Designed for local desktop use rather than browser editing Large-file restrictions may affect very large documents	Modal editing can be less suitable for users who prefer conventional editors Multi-cursor editing is not a built-in feature Terminal and GUI options may appeal to different workflows unevenly
Our verdict	Notepad++ is a free, open-source text and source-code editor for Microsoft Windows. It supports syntax highlighting for programming and natural languages, making it suitable for developers, technical users, and anyone who wants more… Read the review →	Vim is a highly configurable, modal text editor for creating and changing text. It suits programmers and other users working with source code, configuration files, email, and general text. The editor runs in terminals and also offers… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Notepad++ — where it wins

  • Multi-cursor, multi-selection, and column editing support
  • Macros, regex search, workspaces, and project panels
  • Free, open-source software under the GNU GPL license

  Where it doesn't

  • Windows-only availability
  • Designed for local desktop use rather than browser editing
  • Large-file restrictions may affect very large documents

• Vim — where it wins

  • Free and open source across Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Macros, blockwise editing, windows, and buffers support precise workflows
  • Plugins, scripting, syntax highlighting, and filetype tools extend its scope

  Where it doesn't

  • Modal editing can be less suitable for users who prefer conventional editors
  • Multi-cursor editing is not a built-in feature
  • Terminal and GUI options may appeal to different workflows unevenly

• Notepad++9.1/10 · Free plan

  A capable free editor with advanced editing tools, but Windows-only coverage narrows its fit.

  Visit Notepad++Full verdict →
• VVim8.9/10 · Free plan

  A mature, free, open-source editor for users who prefer modal workflows.

  Visit VimFull verdict →