Notepad++
Notepad++ is a free, open-source code editor for Windows that provides a lightweight and highly customizable environment for writing and editing dozens of different programming languages efficiently.
UltraEdit
UltraEdit is a highly versatile text editor designed for developers and data professionals to handle massive files, complex coding tasks, and advanced text manipulation with ease.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Notepad++ | UltraEdit |
|---|---|---|
| Website | notepad-plus-plus.org | ultraedit.com |
| Pricing Model | Free | Subscription |
| Starting Price | Free | $6.66/month |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✓ 30 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✘ No product demo | ✘ No product demo |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2003 | 1994 |
| Headquarters | Paris, France | Austin, USA |
Overview
Notepad++
Notepad++ is a versatile, open-source text and source code editor designed specifically for Windows users who need more power than a basic notepad. You can write and edit code in over 80 programming languages with features like syntax highlighting and code folding, making your development work much more organized. Because it is written in C++ and uses the pure Win32 API, you get incredibly fast execution speeds and a tiny application footprint that won't slow down your system.
You can customize your workspace with a tabbed interface to manage multiple files simultaneously and use powerful search-and-replace tools with regular expression support. Whether you are a student learning to code, a system administrator editing configuration files, or a professional developer, you can extend the software's capabilities through a massive library of community-created plugins. It remains completely free to use under the GNU General Public License.
UltraEdit
UltraEdit provides you with a robust environment for editing text, hex, and source code across Windows, Mac, and Linux. You can open and edit massive files exceeding 4GB without crashing your system, making it a go-to tool for database administrators and developers dealing with large logs. The interface is fully customizable, allowing you to arrange your workspace with dockable windows and personalized toolbars that match your specific coding style.
You can manage complex projects using powerful search-and-replace functions, including Perl-compatible regular expressions and multi-caret editing. Whether you are writing in C++, Python, or HTML, the software adapts with smart templates and syntax highlighting for hundreds of languages. It solves the problem of sluggish performance found in standard editors by providing a native, high-performance engine built for heavy-duty data processing.
Overview
Notepad++ Features
- Syntax Highlighting Read your code more easily with color-coded syntax for over 80 languages, including C++, Java, HTML, and Python.
- Multi-View Editing Work on multiple files at once using a tabbed interface or split your screen to compare two documents side-by-side.
- Search and Replace Find and modify text across multiple files instantly using powerful regular expressions and bulk replacement tools.
- Auto-Completion Speed up your typing and reduce errors with automatic completion for functions, parameters, and common words.
- Macro Recording Automate repetitive editing tasks by recording your keystrokes and playing them back whenever you need to perform bulk updates.
- Plugin Manager Extend your editor's functionality by installing community-made tools for FTP syncing, hex editing, and code formatting.
UltraEdit Features
- Large File Handling. Open and edit files larger than 4GB with ease, ensuring your workflow never stalls when processing massive log files.
- Multi-Caret Editing. Edit multiple locations in a document simultaneously to quickly update variables or reformat lists without repetitive typing.
- Powerful Search. Find and replace text across your entire project using regular expressions, column markers, or filters to save hours of manual work.
- Column Mode. Select and edit text vertically along the Y-axis to quickly manipulate tabular data or fixed-width text files.
- Integrated FTP/SFTP. Access and edit your remote server files directly within the interface using the built-in FTP client and tree view.
- Syntax Highlighting. Read and write code more clearly with automatic color coding for nearly any programming language or data format.
Pricing Comparison
Notepad++ Pricing
- Full access to all features
- Support for 80+ languages
- Unlimited plugin installations
- Regular security updates
- Community-driven support
- Free for commercial use
- Free for personal use
- Access to source code
- No subscription fees
- No hidden costs
UltraEdit Pricing
- Install on up to 3 machines
- Windows, Mac, and Linux versions
- Standard support and updates
- Unlimited file size handling
- Integrated FTP/SFTP browser
- Everything in UltraEdit, plus:
- UltraCompare Professional included
- UltraFinder for deep file searches
- UltraFTP for advanced transfers
- UltraEdit Suite cloud features
Pros & Cons
Notepad++
Pros
- Extremely fast startup and low memory usage
- Supports a massive variety of programming languages
- Highly customizable interface and keyboard shortcuts
- Completely free for both personal and commercial use
- Powerful search and replace with regex support
Cons
- Only available natively for Windows users
- User interface looks dated compared to modern editors
- Plugin management can be inconsistent at times
UltraEdit
Pros
- Unmatched stability when opening multi-gigabyte files
- Highly customizable interface fits any workflow
- Excellent column mode for data manipulation
- Fast and responsive native performance
- Reliable search and replace across files
Cons
- Interface can feel dated to some
- Steep learning curve for advanced features
- No forever-free version available
- Subscription model replaced older perpetual licenses