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GNU Emacs

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Company health

Employee growth
15% increase in the last year
Web traffic
4% decrease in the last quarter

Ratings

G2
4.5/5
(83)

GNU Emacs description

GNU Emacs is a free text editor favored by programmers for its flexibility. It offers a highly customizable environment where users can tailor features to their liking. Beyond basic text editing, Emacs provides tools like project planning, email, and calendars, making it a potential hub for various tasks. It boasts extensive documentation and supports a wide range of programming languages, making it ideal for complex coding projects.


Who is GNU Emacs best for

GNU Emacs is a free, highly customizable text editor loved by programmers for its extensibility and powerful features like Org-mode and Emacs Lisp. While it has a steep learning curve, experienced users praise its efficiency and extensive language support. However, beginners may find the initial setup daunting.

  • Best for small to medium-sized businesses.

  • Ideal for software and IT companies, suitable for educational institutions.


GNU Emacs features

Supported

Emacs supports syntax highlighting using font-lock-mode, enabled by default.

Supported

Emacs has built-in support for Emacs Lisp programming for customization and extensions.

Supported

Emacs supports extensions written in Emacs Lisp, allowing extensive customization.

Supported

Emacs supports installing and customizing themes to personalize the editor.

Supported

Emacs has a built-in terminal emulator accessible via the command M-x term.


GNU Emacs reviews

We've summarised 83 GNU Emacs reviews (GNU Emacs G2 reviews) and summarised the main points below.

Pros of GNU Emacs
  • Highly extensible and customizable with a vast library of packages.
  • Powerful keyboard-based navigation for increased efficiency.
  • Excellent support for a wide range of programming languages and tools.
  • Org-mode provides unparalleled task management and note-taking capabilities.
  • Active and supportive community with extensive documentation.
Cons of GNU Emacs
  • Steep learning curve, challenging for beginners.
  • Initial setup can be daunting and time-consuming.
  • Default configuration requires extensive customization.
  • Elisp can be difficult to learn for advanced configuration.
  • Occasional performance issues with large files or complex tasks.

GNU Emacs alternatives

  • Logo of Visual Studio Code
    Visual Studio Code
    Code editing, simplified. Powerful. Extensible. Free.
    Read more
  • Logo of jEdit
    jEdit
    Powerful programmer's text editor, customizable and extensible.
    Read more
  • Logo of Atom
    Atom
    Scalable quantum computers for groundbreaking discoveries.
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  • Logo of UltraEdit
    UltraEdit
    Powerful text editor handles huge files, boosts coding.
    Read more
  • Logo of Notepad++
    Notepad++
    Free, powerful text and code editor for Windows.
    Read more
  • Logo of UEStudio
    UEStudio
    Powerful IDE simplifies coding with smart features and Git integration.
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GNU Emacs FAQ

  • What is GNU Emacs and what does GNU Emacs do?

    GNU Emacs is a free and highly customizable text editor favored by programmers. It offers extensive features beyond basic editing, including project planning, email, and calendar integration. Emacs supports a wide range of programming languages and boasts a powerful extension system for tailored workflows.

  • How does GNU Emacs integrate with other tools?

    GNU Emacs integrates with other tools primarily through its extensibility via Emacs Lisp. Its built-in terminal allows access to command-line tools, and numerous extensions bridge Emacs with other software for version control, project management, and more.

  • What the main competitors of GNU Emacs?

    Top alternatives to GNU Emacs include Visual Studio Code, Sublime Text, Atom, and Vim. These editors offer similar code editing features, extensibility, and community support, catering to various developer preferences and workflows. While VS Code is known for its user-friendly interface, Sublime Text is praised for speed, and Vim for its powerful command-line editing capabilities.

  • Is GNU Emacs legit?

    GNU Emacs is a safe and legitimate free text editor. It's highly customizable and extensible, ideal for programmers seeking a flexible coding environment. While it has a steep learning curve, its powerful features and active community make it a robust choice.

  • How much does GNU Emacs cost?

    GNU Emacs is free and open-source software, meaning it can be downloaded and used without any cost. There are no paid plans or add-ons for Emacs itself.

  • Is GNU Emacs customer service good?

    There is no customer service information available for GNU Emacs. However, reviews highlight its active and supportive community, suggesting users can find assistance through forums and documentation.


Reviewed by

MK
Michal Kaczor
CEO at Gralio

Michal has worked at startups for many years and writes about topics relating to software selection and IT management. As a former consultant for Bain, a business advisory company, he also knows how to understand needs of any business and find solutions to its problems.

TT
Tymon Terlikiewicz
CTO at Gralio

Tymon is a seasoned CTO who loves finding the perfect tools for any task. He recently headed up the tech department at Batmaid, a well-known Swiss company, where he managed about 60 software purchases, including CX, HR, Payroll, Marketing automation and various developer tools.

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