Nextpad++ review
A Notepad++-style desktop editor with macros, plugins, and broad syntax highlighting.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026
Nextpad++ is a free, open-source text and code editor for macOS and Linux, aimed at developers and other users who want a Notepad++-style workflow on those platforms. It is a desktop application built as an independent port, using the Scintilla editing engine. Syntax highlighting covers 80+ programming languages, and core editing tools include search and replace, find in files, column selection, and recordable macros. The macOS edition supports Apple Silicon and Intel Macs; Linux editions are available for ARM64 and x86 architectures.
Its breadth is a notable fit for a free editor: tabbed editing and session management help organize work, while encoding and line-ending conversion controls support text files with differing formats. The Plugin Admin lets users browse, install, update, and remove plugins, including ported plugins. That gives the editor room to adapt beyond its built-in editing features, though users should check whether the plugins they need are available for this independent port. The product is explicitly separate from the official Windows Notepad++ product, so familiarity with that editor's general approach does not make this the same application.
Pricing is straightforward: the project is free and open source, with no paid upgrades. That makes it suitable for solo users and small teams who want macros and plugin support without a subscription. The trade-off is platform coverage: Nextpad++ supports macOS and Linux, not Windows, and its desktop deployment does not address browser-based editing. Documentation and community are the listed support channels. Choose it if you want a free native editor on a supported platform; look elsewhere if Windows support or a web editor is essential.
Nextpad++ pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Syntax highlighting for 80+ programming languages
- Record and replay macros, with column-mode text selection
- Plugin Admin supports browsing, installing, updating, and removing plugins
- Where it doesn't
- No Windows support; available for macOS and Linux only
- It is an independent community port, not the official Windows Notepad++ product
- Its desktop focus may not suit users seeking a browser-based editor
Nextpad++ fact sheet, pricing and score →
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