GNU Emacs
GNU Emacs is a free, extensible text editor built around an interpreter for Emacs Lisp.
What GNU Emacs is
GNU Emacs is a free, extensible text editor built around an interpreter for Emacs Lisp. Its content-aware editing modes include syntax coloring for many file types, and it supports full Unicode for nearly all human scripts. Users can customize it with Lisp code or a graphical interface, and its packaging system downloads and installs extensions. Beyond editing, built-in tools include a project planner, mail and news reader, debugger interface, calendar, and IRC client. Documentation and a tutorial are included. GNU Emacs supports GNU/Linux, Windows, macOS, Android, BSD, Haiku, Solaris, and MS-DOS/FreeDOS; Android support was added in version 30.1. TRAMP provides remote-file access through methods including SSH, SCP, and Telnet. GNU ELPA and NonGNU ELPA offer additional packages. The latest release listed is version 31.1, dated August 24, 2026; its additions include terminal mouse control, child frames, editable grep and xref buffers, and package change review. GNU Emacs is free software distributed under the GNU General Public License.
Good
- Free software under the GNU General Public License.
- Content-aware modes include syntax coloring for many file types.
- Customization through Emacs Lisp or a graphical interface.
- Built-in documentation and a tutorial.
- Available on desktop, mobile, and other listed platforms.
Watch out
- Loading Emacs Lisp can execute code.
- The manual advises loading Lisp files only from trusted sources.
- The pricing page returns a page-not-found message.
Who it suits
GNU Emacs suits people who want a customizable editor with content-aware modes and extensible Lisp-based tools. Its built-in documentation and tutorial may help new users explore its features.
Verdict
GNU Emacs combines text editing with a broad set of built-in tools and an extension system. Its customization and Lisp execution capabilities are worth weighing alongside the manual’s advice to load Lisp files only from trusted sources.
Plans and prices
From GNU Emacs's own pricing page, checked 28 Sep 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| GNU Emacs | Free | free software · redistribution permitted under GPL conditions |
The facts
Each one read from GNU Emacs's own pages, with the date it was checked.
Where it runs
- Android support
- Android support was added in Emacs 30.1.checked 28 Sep 2026
- Macro recording
- Yeschecked 22 Sep 2026
What it does
- Beyond editing
- Its built-in functionality includes a project planner, mail and news reader, debugger interface, calendar, and IRC client.checked 28 Sep 2026
- Built-in documentation
- It includes complete built-in documentation and a tutorial for new users.checked 28 Sep 2026
- Column editing
- Yeschecked 22 Sep 2026
- Core language
- At its core, Emacs includes an interpreter for Emacs Lisp.checked 28 Sep 2026
- Customization options
- Users can customize it with Emacs Lisp code or a graphical interface.checked 28 Sep 2026
- Editing
- It provides content-aware editing modes, including syntax coloring, for many file types.checked 28 Sep 2026
- Editor type
- It is a customizable text editor with an Emacs Lisp interpreter at its core.checked 28 Sep 2026
- Extension installation
- A packaging system downloads and installs extensions.checked 28 Sep 2026
- Extensions
- It includes a packaging system for downloading and installing extensions.checked 28 Sep 2026
- Extension support
- Yeschecked 22 Sep 2026
- Large-file handling
- Yeschecked 22 Sep 2026
- Latest release
- GNU Emacs 31.1 was released on August 24, 2026.checked 28 Sep 2026
- License
- GNU Emacs is free software distributed under conditions of the GNU General Public License.checked 28 Sep 2026
- Multi-cursor editing
- Yeschecked 22 Sep 2026
- Package ecosystem
- GNU ELPA and NonGNU ELPA provide additional Emacs Lisp packages, with NonGNU ELPA containing packages that cannot be included in GNU ELPA because their copyright has not been assigned to the FSF.checked 28 Sep 2026
- Pricing page
- The referenced pricing page returns a 404 page-not-found message.checked 28 Sep 2026
- Product type
- GNU Emacs is an extensible, customizable, free/libre text editor and more.checked 28 Sep 2026
- Release features
- Emacs 31.1 added terminal mouse control, child frames, editable grep and xref buffers, and package change review.checked 28 Sep 2026
- Remote access
- TRAMP provides transparent remote-file access through methods including SSH, SCP, and Telnet.checked 28 Sep 2026
- Security limitation
- Loading Emacs Lisp can execute code, so the manual advises loading Lisp files only from sources you trust.checked 28 Sep 2026
The company
- Founded
- 1984checked 28 Sep 2026
Money
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 22 Sep 2026
Alternatives to GNU Emacs
- 1
Calmly Writer
Free planAndroidWebLinuxmacOS8.6Free plan - 2
Zed
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows8.3From $10 a month - 3
Visual Studio Code
Free planWebLinuxmacOSWindows8.2Free plan - 4
Neovim
Free planAndroidAPILinuxmacOS8.1Free plan - 5
Geany
Free planOpen sourceLinuxmacOSWindows8.1Free plan - 6
Lapce
Free planOpen sourceExtensionLinuxmacOSWindows8.0Free plan