GNU Emacs vs Kakoune

Struggling to choose between GNU Emacs and Kakoune? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

GNU Emacs is a Development solution with tags like text-editor, emacs-lisp, extensible, open-source.

It boasts features such as Text editing, Customizable and extensible, Built-in programming language (Emacs Lisp), Supports many programming languages, Cross-platform - runs on Linux, Windows, macOS, Plugin ecosystem (packages), Keyboard-focused interaction, Code browsing, Version control integration, Email, IRC, news clients and pros including Powerful and customizable, Great for programmers, Open source and free, Active community, Supports many languages, Extensible with Lisp plugins.

On the other hand, Kakoune is a Development product tagged with modal, vim, keyboard-shortcuts, multiple-selections, lightweight, customizable, efficient.

Its standout features include Modal editor with multiple selection support, Vim-like key bindings and modes, Faster and more interactive than Vim, Client-server architecture for remote editing, Syntax highlighting, Extensible through plugins, and it shines with pros like Very fast and responsive, Powerful multiple selections, Intuitive key bindings, Lightweight and low memory usage, Easy to customize.

To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison of these two products, delving into their features, pros, cons, pricing, and more. Get ready to explore the nuances that set them apart and determine which one is the perfect fit for your requirements.

GNU Emacs

GNU Emacs

GNU Emacs is a popular, open source text editor and computing environment. It runs on most operating systems and provides extensibility through an Emacs Lisp interpreter.

Categories:
text-editor emacs-lisp extensible open-source

GNU Emacs Features

  1. Text editing
  2. Customizable and extensible
  3. Built-in programming language (Emacs Lisp)
  4. Supports many programming languages
  5. Cross-platform - runs on Linux, Windows, macOS
  6. Plugin ecosystem (packages)
  7. Keyboard-focused interaction
  8. Code browsing
  9. Version control integration
  10. Email, IRC, news clients

Pricing

  • Open Source

Pros

Powerful and customizable

Great for programmers

Open source and free

Active community

Supports many languages

Extensible with Lisp plugins

Cons

Steep learning curve

Complex interface

Not beginner friendly

Heavy resource usage

Limited WYSIWYG capabilities


Kakoune

Kakoune

Kakoune is a modal text editor focused on interactivity and efficiency. It provides vi/vim inspired key bindings and modes along with multiple selections and other innovative text editing features. Kakoune is lightweight, customizable, and aims to provide a productive and enjoyable editing experience.

Categories:
modal vim keyboard-shortcuts multiple-selections lightweight customizable efficient

Kakoune Features

  1. Modal editor with multiple selection support
  2. Vim-like key bindings and modes
  3. Faster and more interactive than Vim
  4. Client-server architecture for remote editing
  5. Syntax highlighting
  6. Extensible through plugins

Pricing

  • Open Source

Pros

Very fast and responsive

Powerful multiple selections

Intuitive key bindings

Lightweight and low memory usage

Easy to customize

Cons

Less plugins and extensions than Vim

Steep learning curve for beginners

Limited Windows support

Less mature than Vim