# GNU Emacs review, pricing and alternatives

Source: https://listme.name/software/emacs
Website: https://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/

Extensible editor from the GNU Project, released under GPL-3.0

GNU Emacs is an extensible, customizable free software editor from the GNU Project, with syntax coloring for many file types. It runs on GNU/Linux, BSDs, Haiku, Windows and macOS, and version 31.1 was released in August 2026.

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.

- Free and open source | Linux, macOS, Windows | open source (GPL-3.0)
- Price: GPL-3.0 free software; free to download
- Checked: 2026-10-10

## 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

## Rankings

- #9 of 10 in [best Code editors and IDEs](https://listme.name/best/code-editors-and-ides), score 81.5: 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.

## Alternatives

- [Visual Studio Code](https://listme.name/software/vs-code), score 94.5
- [IntelliJ IDEA](https://listme.name/software/intellij-idea), score 91.0
- [Zed](https://listme.name/software/zed), score 88.0
- [Visual Studio](https://listme.name/software/visual-studio), score 86.5
- [Neovim](https://listme.name/software/neovim), score 85.0
- [Cursor](https://listme.name/software/cursor), score 84.0
- [Helix](https://listme.name/software/helix), score 83.0
- [Xcode](https://listme.name/software/xcode), score 82.5