GNU Emacs
Extensible editor from the GNU Project, released under GPL-3.0
- #9 of 10 in best code editors and IDEs
- Free and open source
- Free to use
- Open source
- LinuxmacOSWindows
Ranked 9 of 10 in best code editors and IDEs
GNU Emacs is GPL-3.0 free software that runs on GNU/Linux, BSDs, Windows, macOS and Haiku, configured in Emacs Lisp. It is extensible in ways few editors match, but its learning curve is steeper than Zed or VS Code.
Best for Long-lived, highly customized editing in Lisp
About GNU Emacs
GNU Emacs is free software from the GNU Project, described on its site as an extensible and customizable text editor. Its features include content-aware editing modes with syntax coloring for many file types. The site lists GNU/Linux, BSDs, Haiku, Windows, macOS and Android among its platforms.
The release page lists Emacs 31.1 as released on August 24, 2026. The GitHub mirror is GPL-3.0 licensed. Emacs suits developers who want one long-lived editor configured in Emacs Lisp. Newcomers may find Zed or VS Code, which are also in this ranking, quicker to start with.
Key features
- Extensible editor
- Syntax coloring for many file types
- Terminal or window use
- GNU Project
- Version 31.1
Strengths
- GPL-3.0 free software
- Runs on Linux, macOS and Windows
- Extensible in Emacs Lisp
Limits
- Steeper learning curve than graphical editors
- Configuration is written in Emacs Lisp
Where GNU Emacs ranks
How GNU Emacs compares
| Product | Score | Price | Platforms | Main focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
#6 Cursor | 84.0 | Free plan, paid upgrades | macOSWindowsLinux | AI-first code editor |
#7 Helix | 83.0 | Free and open source | Command line | Terminal editing in Rust |
#8 Xcode | 82.5 | Free | macOS | Apple platform apps |
| #9GNU Emacs | 81.5 | Free and open source | LinuxmacOSWindows | Extensible general-purpose editor |
#10 Sublime Text | 78.0 | Paid | WindowsmacOSLinux | Fast text and code editing |
The full comparison table for best code editors and IDEs has all 10 products.
Alternatives to GNU Emacs
All 9 alternatives
Visual Studio CodeAlso runs on Web.
IntelliJ IDEAJava and Kotlin IDE with code analysis, refactoring and a debugger
ZedFast code editor with built-in multiplayer editing and optional AI
Visual StudioWindows IDE for .NET, C++, web and game development
NeovimTerminal text editor, a Vim fork focused on extensibility- CursorAI code editor with agents, cloud runs and team controls
Questions about GNU Emacs
- Is GNU Emacs free?
- GNU Emacs can be used without paying: GPL-3.0 free software; free to download. Check the vendor’s pricing page for current limits.
- Is GNU Emacs open source?
- Yes. GNU Emacs publishes its source code under the GPL-3.0 license.
- Which platforms does GNU Emacs support?
- GNU Emacs is available on: Linux, macOS, Windows.
- What is GNU Emacs best for?
- Long-lived, highly customized editing in Lisp. In our ranking of code editors and IDEs it is number 9 of 10 with a score of 81.5.
- What are the best alternatives to GNU Emacs?
- The highest-ranked alternatives on listme.name are Visual Studio Code, IntelliJ IDEA, Zed, Visual Studio.
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