Notepad++ Finally Released Natively for macOS

macOS users are living a historic day. In fact, the long wait is finally over. The developers officially released Notepad++ for macOS.

Now it runs without any virtual layer. It requires no Wine, CrossOver, or PlayOnMac. This version is a fully native macOS app.

The team, led by Andrey Letov, announced the project on GitHub. They signed it as an Apple notarized editor. Gatekeeper-approved Notepad++ passed the tests.

I will show you the installation step by step in this article. We will examine the first impressions and performance together. macOS Notepad++ will surprise you a lot.

Notepad++ Finally Released for macOS: Here Are the First Details

The Big Surprise After Years of Waiting

This editor has been key for me on Windows for years. Its macOS release truly thrilled me.

The April 2026 release turned a 25-year dream into reality. Notepad++ is now a native Mac app.

Previously, macOS users always had to settle for low-quality solutions. We dreamed of a Notepad++ for Mac without Wine. Now, Notepad without an emulator enters our daily workflow directly.

In fact, the idea of Notepad++ on Mac was a joke for years. On forums, people always said it was impossible. But Andrey Letov changed that perception entirely.

The version released under the GNU GPL license delighted the whole open source community. Because now anyone looking for a macOS text editor can freely use this tool. Plus, they will do so with an ad-free code editor experience.

I personally tested the first version myself. It installed smoothly on Big Sur and newer systems. It is fully compatible even with macOS Big Sur 11 users. So, it instantly appeals to a wide audience.

Official Statement from Andrey Letov & GitHub Release Notes

Andrey Letov managed the development process transparently on GitHub. In the official announcement, he clearly stated that they wrote the Notepad++ Mac version in Objective-C++. Thanks to this choice, the team achieved full integration with Cocoa API.

The Objective-C++ project largely preserves the Windows C++ codebase. They ported the Scintilla engine exactly. So, we did not lose any syntax highlighting quality.

Also, the GitHub release notes highlight Universal Binary support for Apple Silicon and Intel architectures.

So, a single DMG file with x86_64 and ARM64 support works on both platforms. This is truly a great engineering achievement.

Additionally, Andrey Letov announced that he obtained Apple notarization for Notepad++. Gatekeeper-approved Notepad++ now passes through macOS without the ‘untrusted app’ warning.

You can complete your installation in a few seconds using this secure DMG image.

In the official statement, they also addressed plugin compatibility on Mac. They honestly admitted that some plugins do not work in the first version. However, plugin support will expand rapidly with future updates.

What Makes the New Version Special? The Wine and Emulator Era Is Over

No Wine, No CrossOver: A Completely Native macOS Experience

Running Notepad++ on Mac used to be a real pain. You would install Wine and struggle with settings. Moreover, the performance never matched Windows.

Now, the reality of Notepad++ for Mac without Wine has entered our lives. The emulator-free version runs directly on macOS. Thanks to this, the app flows like butter.

The era of running Windows programs on Mac is now over for Notepad++. Because of this new native app, you avoid any layer lag. Even the startup speed makes you smile!

macOS Notepad runs directly in its own process, just like Safari or Mail. Cocoa fully controls memory management. As a result, the low memory usage numbers are surprisingly good.

In my tests, it opened a 50 MB JSON file in seconds. Memory consumption stayed even lower than the Windows version. This is truly an impressive achievement.

Built from Scratch with Objective-C++ and Cocoa API

Notepad++ is not an ordinary port. This structure, called Objective-C++, takes the Cocoa API integration to the top. The team reworked the codebase from scratch.

The source code under the GNU GPL license met Apple’s modern frameworks. Thanks to this blend, macOS-specific features like dark mode and trackpad gestures work naturally. Apple quality shines from every corner of the screen.

Thanks to Cocoa API, window management, scroll bars, and font rendering fully meet system standards. No more blurry text; its own text engine works without flaws. You notice the difference right away.

By using Objective-C++, they preserve the core editor logic from Windows intact. Moreover, they also maintain structural integrity this way.

The Scintilla engine continues to run at the same power. So, syntax highlighting, code folding, and bracket matching remain identical.

In short, there is no catch. Everything is in its place, but within a much more modern shell.

Instant on Apple Silicon, Smooth on Intel: Universal Binary Support

The Apple Silicon Notepad++ experience is truly mesmerizing. You can open the app instantly on M1, M2, M3, M4, and M5 chips. You don’t need Rosetta at all.

They did not forget Intel Mac users. Thanks to the Universal Binary structure, the same DMG file works on both architectures. This distribution simplicity is truly admirable.

This dual package with x86_64 ARM64 support automatically detects your processor during installation. You don’t need to make any choice. macOS’s smart workflow kicks in here too.

Right after you finish downloading and launch the app, you see an incredible speed difference on Apple Silicon. You scroll through large log files without lag. This performance becomes your new standard.

On the other hand, I also tested it on my old Intel-based MacBook. Even on that device, startup doesn’t exceed 2 seconds. This is a true engineering marvel.

Download, Install, Run: Step-by-Step Setup Guide

Downloading the DMG File from the Official GitHub Page

First, you can go to Andrey Letov’s official GitHub repo and then download from the Releases section. However, you can also visit the author’s official website to get the DMG file.

1. Enter Notepad++ for Mac in your browser.
2. Find the latest version at the top (v1.0.5 Latest).
3. Click the DMG (Universal) file under Assets to start the download.

Once the Notepad++v1.0.5.dmg download finishes, the file usually appears in the Downloads folder. Then you can move to the next step.

Completing Installation Without Gatekeeper Blocks

You no longer struggle with Gatekeeper during Notepad installation on your macOS system. Thanks to the Apple notarized editor, you open the app smoothly. Still, it pays to be aware.

1. Double-click the downloaded DMG file.
2. In the window that opens, drag the Notepad++ icon to the Applications folder.
3. In a few seconds, the copy will finish; then close the DMG window and eject the virtual disk.

Because it is Gatekeeper-approved Notepad++, I received no warning on first launch. If you use an older macOS version, you may need to allow it in System Preferences > Security. However, thanks to macOS Tahoe compatibility, this risk is quite low.

Also, the secure DMG file imposes no extra software. As an ad-free code editor, it settles cleanly on your computer. This clear approach always pleases me.

Basic Settings to Do on First Launch

When you first launch Notepad, a clean interface greets you. Here are a few basic settings I recommend right away:

• Theme selection: Activate “Dark Mode” or “Obsidian” from Settings > Style Configurator. It instantly reduces eye strain.
• Font size increase: The default font felt a bit small to me. So, increase the point size to 14 in Settings > Preferences > General.
• Autocomplete: It comes enabled by default. But check Settings > Preferences > Autocomplete for function and variable suggestions.
• Tab settings: Tabbed editing also works perfectly on macOS. Adjust the space/width values to match your coding style.

Also, theme support in the macOS version is quite successful. You can import your own XML theme files. This way, you can fully personalize the editor.

After installation, most shortcuts you’re used to from Windows work here too. You just need to adapt to the Cmd key.

First Impressions: Speed, Interface, and Familiar Feel

Scintilla Engine with All Its Skills Here

The Scintilla engine, the heart of the editor, runs smoothly in the Notepad++ version. Syntax highlighting works without errors for over 80 languages. Plus, coloring in languages like Python, JavaScript, and HTML is dazzling.

Code folding saves your life when working with large files. Bracket matching never lags. As soon as you place the cursor next to a bracket, it instantly highlights.

Search support with regular expressions is Scintilla’s strongest side. You quickly write your complex regex patterns and get results in seconds. Honestly, this feature is a must-have for me.

Split-screen editing also works smoothly. You can view the same file in two different regions. When editing long configuration files, this capability is priceless.

Also, macro recording is perfect for automating routine tasks. You record repetitive text transformations once and play them back many times. This fully earns the title of a fast text editor.

Does Tabbed Editing, Split Screen, and Macros Work?

Tabbed editing works flawlessly on the Mac version. You can open dozens of files in a single window at once. Switching between them is as fast as on Windows.

Split-screen editing is as expected. Right-click and choose “Clone to Other View” to split the same document into two. This way, you can see the start and end of the file at the same time.

The macro recording feature passed my tests in the macOS environment. Recording and playing back a series of actions caused no trouble. However, I noticed slight hiccups in very complex macros.

Plugin support is limited for now. For instance, the Compare plugin does not fully work yet. But the developer team stated on GitHub that they are working on it. Plugin compatibility on Mac will increase rapidly in the coming weeks.

Still, you don’t need plugins for basic editing needs. Tabbed work, code folding, and bracket matching are enough.

Current Status of Theme and Plugin Support

Theme support inside Notepad is quite mature. I could use all the dark themes I’m used to from the Windows version here. Popular themes like Monokai and Solarized work without issues.

Plugin support, however, is coming gradually. Only NppFTP and a few small plugins are active in the first version. Of course, the plugin manager is not fully settled yet.

The developers expect the main leap in Mac plugin compatibility in the second version. The GitHub roadmap states that over 20 popular plugins will be ported next month.

Meanwhile, thanks to theme support, you can create your own color scheme. The Settings > Style Configurator menu is extremely detailed. You can assign separate colors for each language.

There are no concepts like paid subscriptions or license keys. This open-source code editor, distributed under GNU GPL, will remain completely free for Mac.

How Will This Release Affect Other Code Editors?

Should VS Code and Sublime Text Users Switch?

This is the most nagging question. Notepad++ is truly ambitious as a Visual Studio Code alternative.

I can easily say it opens faster than VS Code.

For those seeking a Sublime Text alternative, there is head-to-head competition in speed.

However, Sublime Text’s price tag is a big advantage for Notepad++ Mac. Plus, being open source gives confidence.

It is definitely faster than VS Code. But VS Code’s vast plugin ecosystem still holds you back. If you need features like remote development (Remote SSH), VS Code is ahead.

Still, Notepad++ is ideal for those who need a fast text editor. It’s great for daily log analysis, quick JSON editing, or simple script writing. It needs some time to rival VS Code for complex projects.

What’s the Difference from BBEdit, CodeRunner, and NotepadNext?

BBEdit has been Mac’s most established text editor for years. But here’s the difference: many advanced features don’t work without the $60 paid version. Notepad++, on the other hand, is completely free.

When we consider it as a CodeRunner alternative, CodeRunner is more focused on running code.

However, this editor stands out with its text processing power as a development tool. Especially in regular expressions, it outperforms CodeRunner.

NotepadNext Mac is another open-source project. But it is also basically a port. Notepad, on the other hand, is much more stable because they built it from scratch with Objective-C++. Plus, NotepadNext is still in beta.

For those seeking a cross-platform text editor, the biggest difference is performance. Since it started as a macOS text editor, it uses system resources very efficiently. In short, you feel no bloat.

There is also a clear picture of official version differences. The team lists features on GitHub that are in the Windows version but not yet on Mac. Transparent communication is admirable.

You Can Check Out These Resources for Notepad

I recommend visiting the following authoritative sources for a deep dive:

• Apple Notarization Developer Documentation — Official Apple resource to understand Gatekeeper and secure DMG processes.
• Scintilla Editing Component Official Site — Technical details about the Scintilla engine at the heart of the editor.

Notepad++’s Mac Adventure: FAQ

Conclusion: Does Notepad++ for macOS Meet Expectations?

A New Era Begins for Developers

Notepad++ exceeded my expectations. Even though it’s the first version, the editor is extremely stable. The open-source code editor became a breath of fresh air for the Mac community.

Especially getting rid of the Wine hassle is priceless. Now you install with one click and start coding immediately. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for a macOS text editor.

The Scintilla engine shows all its skills. Tabbed editing, code folding, and autocomplete are complete. In short, you feel the years of experience in every line.

With Apple Silicon support and Universal Binary structure, you get full performance from your hardware. This programming editor is now part of macOS.

Shortcomings of the First Version and Expectations from Future Updates

Like every newborn software, Notepad came with some shortcomings. The biggest expectation is the expansion of plugin support. Currently, a limited number of plugins work.

The roadmap for plugin compatibility on the Mac side is promising. The team announces that indispensable plugins like Compare, XML Tools, and AutoSave will arrive in the coming months. When these plugins come, the editor will truly soar.

Also, dictionaries for autocomplete in some languages are not fully settled yet. For example, suggestions for TypeScript remain weak. However, community contributions on GitHub quickly fill this gap.

Turkish language support is also not available yet. Menus appear in English. But thanks to being open source, volunteer translators will soon fix this shortcoming.

In conclusion, it’s a dream come true for your macOS computer. The first version laid a great foundation. I am sure this programming editor will become even stronger with future updates!