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GNU Emacs

GNU Emacs is a free, extensible text editor built around an interpreter for Emacs Lisp.

Place
#1 of 42
Score
7.3
GNU Emacs's website

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 2001.

All about pricing
PlanPriceWhat it gives you
GNU EmacsFreefree 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 2001
Macro recording
Yeschecked 22 Sep 2001

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 2001
Built-in documentation
It includes complete built-in documentation and a tutorial for new users.checked 28 Sep 2001
Column editing
Yeschecked 22 Sep 2001
Core language
At its core, Emacs includes an interpreter for Emacs Lisp.checked 28 Sep 2001
Customization options
Users can customize it with Emacs Lisp code or a graphical interface.checked 28 Sep 2001
Editing
It provides content-aware editing modes, including syntax coloring, for many file types.checked 28 Sep 2001
Editor type
It is a customizable text editor with an Emacs Lisp interpreter at its core.checked 28 Sep 2001
Extension installation
A packaging system downloads and installs extensions.checked 28 Sep 2001
Extensions
It includes a packaging system for downloading and installing extensions.checked 28 Sep 2001
Extension support
Yeschecked 22 Sep 2001
Large-file handling
Yeschecked 22 Sep 2001
Latest release
GNU Emacs 31.1 was released on August 24, 2026.checked 28 Sep 2001
License
GNU Emacs is free software distributed under conditions of the GNU General Public License.checked 28 Sep 2001
Multi-cursor editing
Yeschecked 22 Sep 2001
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 2001
Pricing page
The referenced pricing page returns a 404 page-not-found message.checked 28 Sep 2001
Product type
GNU Emacs is an extensible, customizable, free/libre text editor and more.checked 28 Sep 2001
Release features
Emacs 31.1 added terminal mouse control, child frames, editable grep and xref buffers, and package change review.checked 28 Sep 2001
Remote access
TRAMP provides transparent remote-file access through methods including SSH, SCP, and Telnet.checked 28 Sep 2001
Security limitation
Loading Emacs Lisp can execute code, so the manual advises loading Lisp files only from sources you trust.checked 28 Sep 2001

The company

Founded
1984checked 28 Sep 2001

Money

Free plan
Yeschecked 22 Sep 2001

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