Notepad++ vs Visual Studio Code: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Notepad++ and Visual Studio Code comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Visual Studio Code is our overall IDE & Code Editors pick. Pick Notepad++ if you need a fully free option.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Notepad++
Free source code editor for Windows
Best for you if:
- • You want free and lightweight
Visual Studio Code
Fast, lightweight, and customizable code editor for all languages
Best for you if:
- • You want free and open source
| At a Glance | Notepad++ | Visual Studio Code |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | Free 100% free |
Category | IDE & Code Editors Writing & Content | IDE & Code Editors Developer Tools |
Rating | 4.6/5 G2 4.6 · Capterra 4.7 · SourceForge 4.9 4,525 reviews | 4.6/5 G2 4.7 · Trustpilot 3.7 2,732 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Notepad++ or Visual Studio Code?
Choose Notepad++ if
- You want free and lightweight
- You want fast startup
Choose Visual Studio Code if
- You want free and open source
- You want huge extension ecosystem
In-Depth Analysis
Notepad++
Free source code editor for Windows
Notepad++ offers an incredibly generous pricing model, as it is completely free.
Strengths
- Pro: Free and lightweight
- Pro: Fast startup
- Pro: Good syntax highlighting
- Pro: Plugin support
- Pro: Windows standard
Weaknesses
- Con: Windows only
- Con: Basic IDE features
- Con: UI dated
- Con: Limited modern features
- Con: Not for large projects
Key features
Visual Studio Code
Fast, lightweight, and customizable code editor for all languages
Visual Studio Code's pricing is exceptionally generous, as it offers a full-featured, open-source IDE completely free of charge.
Strengths
- Pro: Free and open source
- Pro: Huge extension ecosystem
- Pro: Cross-platform
Weaknesses
- Con: Can be resource heavy
- Con: Microsoft telemetry
Key features
Pricing: Notepad++ vs Visual Studio Code
| Plan | Notepad++ | Visual Studio Code |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | Free Free (Open Source) |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Notepad++ pricing and Visual Studio Code pricing.
Key Takeaways
Visual Studio Code
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Notepad++
- Larger review base (4,525 reviews)
The Bottom Line
Visual Studio Code is our overall IDE & Code Editors pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Notepad++ or Visual Studio Code better in 2026?
Visual Studio Code is our overall IDE & Code Editors pick. Pick Notepad++ for IDE & code editors workflows (main strength: free and lightweight). Pick Visual Studio Code for IDE & code editors workflows (main strength: free and open source).
What are Notepad++ and Visual Studio Code used for?
Notepad++: Free source code editor for Windows. Visual Studio Code: Fast, lightweight, and customizable code editor for all languages.
What does Notepad++ cost vs Visual Studio Code?
Notepad++ is free. Visual Studio Code is free.
What's the main difference between Notepad++ and Visual Studio Code?
Notepad++'s main strength: free and lightweight. Visual Studio Code's main strength: free and open source.