Kate review
A free, open-source editor with broad coding features across Linux, Windows, and macOS.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Kate is a free, open-source, multi-document text editor developed by KDE for programmers and others working with text files. It runs on Linux, Windows, and macOS, and supports tabs, horizontal or vertical split views, syntax highlighting for more than 300 languages, multiple cursors, rectangular selections, and keyboard macros. Project navigation, project-wide and folder-wide search, Vi mode, and large-file handling support more involved editing work.
For development workflows, Kate brings several useful tools into the editor. Its integrated terminal and shell integration keep command-line work close to the document, while Git integration supports repository-based editing. Language Server Protocol support adds language tooling, and Debug Adapter Protocol support covers debugging workflows. The editor also connects with HTTP, FTP, SSH, and WebDAV, and its plugin and JavaScript scripting extensibility provide additional ways to adapt the environment. These capabilities make Kate a practical fit for users who want one desktop application for editing, navigation, terminal work, and core development tasks.
Kate’s breadth is its main strength, but it is not aimed only at minimal text editing. Users seeking a focused plain-text editor may find project tools, language services, debugging support, macros, and terminal features unnecessary. Its documented integration surface is also narrower than broader editor ecosystems, so teams with specialized tooling requirements may prefer an alternative with a wider integration catalog. Choose Kate if free, open-source distribution, cross-platform availability, and built-in programming features matter more than a larger ecosystem of verified integrations.
Kate pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Supports syntax highlighting for more than 300 languages
- Combines multi-cursor editing, macros, projects, and split views
- Includes terminal, Git, LSP, DAP, plugins, and scripting
- Where it doesn't
- Its documented integration surface is narrower than broader editor ecosystems
- Its programming features may exceed the needs of basic text editing
- Language and debugging workflows center on LSP and DAP support
Kate fact sheet, pricing and score →
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