Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

jEdit VS Geany

Compare jEdit VS Geany and see what are their differences

jEdit logo jEdit

jEdit is a mature programmer's text editor with a large collection of plugins

Geany logo Geany

Lightweight IDE for Linux and Windows
  • jEdit Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-08-01
  • Geany Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-14

jEdit features and specs

  • Cross-Platform
    jEdit is a cross-platform text editor, meaning it can run on any operating system that supports Java, such as Windows, macOS, and Linux. This allows for consistency in functionality across different environments.
  • Plugin Architecture
    jEdit has a robust plugin system, allowing users to extend its functionalities and customize the editor to meet specific needs, ranging from syntax highlighting to version control integration.
  • Syntax Highlighting
    It supports syntax highlighting for over 200 languages, making it a versatile tool for developers working with multiple programming languages.
  • Free and Open Source
    jEdit is distributed as free software under the GNU General Public License, allowing users to modify and distribute their versions without cost.
  • Highly Configurable
    Users can customize a wide range of settings, from appearance to key mappings, providing a personalized editing experience.

Possible disadvantages of jEdit

  • Java Dependency
    jEdit requires Java to be installed on the system, which might be cumbersome for users who do not have Java set up or prefer not to use it.
  • Resource-Intensive
    Being a Java-based application, jEdit can consume more system resources compared to native text editors, potentially leading to slower performance on older machines.
  • User Interface
    While functional, jEdit’s user interface might feel outdated compared to modern editors, which could be a deterrent for users preferring sleeker, more contemporary designs.
  • Learning Curve
    The extensive customization and plugin options, while powerful, can also lead to a steeper learning curve for new users unfamiliar with the editor.
  • Community and Support
    As a less popular editor compared to giants like VSCode or Sublime Text, jEdit may have a smaller community and fewer readily available resources for troubleshooting and support.

Geany features and specs

  • Lightweight
    Geany is designed to be a small and fast IDE, making it ideal for users who prefer a quick and responsive environment without the bulk of larger IDEs.
  • Cross-Platform
    Geany is available on multiple operating systems including Windows, Linux, and macOS, allowing for consistent development experience across different platforms.
  • Extensible
    Geany supports a wide variety of plugins that can expand its functionality, allowing users to tailor the editor to their specific needs.
  • Supports Multiple Languages
    Geany provides support for several programming languages out of the box, making it a versatile choice for developers working in different languages.
  • Fast Load Time
    Due to its minimalist design, Geany has a very fast load time compared to more complex IDEs, which can enhance productivity.
  • Integrated Build System
    Geany includes a basic integrated build system, which allows you to compile and run code directly from the editor.

Possible disadvantages of Geany

  • Limited Features Compared to Full-Fledged IDEs
    While Geany is lightweight and fast, it may lack some of the advanced features offered by more comprehensive IDEs like IntelliJ IDEA or Visual Studio.
  • Basic Debugging Tools
    Geany's built-in debugging tools are quite rudimentary, which might not meet the needs of developers working on complex projects that require advanced debugging features.
  • User Interface
    The user interface of Geany, while functional, can feel outdated compared to more modern editors and might not have the same level of polish or aesthetic appeal.
  • Plugin Ecosystem
    Geany has fewer plugins available compared to more popular IDEs like Visual Studio Code, which can limit its extendability and customization options.
  • Community and Support
    Being a smaller project, Geany may not have as large a community or as comprehensive support resources as larger IDEs, which can be a disadvantage for troubleshooting and learning.

Analysis of Geany

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Geany is considered a good tool, especially for those seeking a balance between a minimalist text editor and a more feature-rich integrated development environment (IDE).

Why this product is good

  • Geany is a lightweight, fast, and flexible text editor that is particularly favored for programming and development. It supports a wide array of languages and provides features like syntax highlighting, code folding, and a plugin system to enhance its functionality. Its simple user interface makes it easy to navigate for both beginners and seasoned developers.

Recommended for

    Geany is recommended for programmers and developers who need a lightweight, efficient tool for coding in multiple languages. It is particularly suitable for those looking for an editor that offers more than a basic text editor but does not require the heavy resources of a full IDE. It is also a good fit for educational environments and for users on older systems.

jEdit videos

Install jEdit and setup for CUCM log reading

More videos:

  • Review - Developing a Python Program with JEdit on Macintosh OS/X
  • Review - Creando interfaces Gráficas en java con jEdit

Geany videos

Geany 1.32 Lightweight IDE - Linux Mint Installation, Features, Plugins and Themes

More videos:

  • Review - Geany for C and Python Programming
  • Review - LinuxDays 2015 - Geany - a lightwight IDE - Frank Lanitz

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to jEdit and Geany)
Text Editors
17 17%
83% 83
IDE
15 15%
85% 85
Software Development
14 14%
86% 86
Website Design
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare jEdit and Geany

jEdit Reviews

10 Best Notepad++ Alternatives in 2020
jEdit, a code editor program which is written in Java. This open source tool supports hundreds of plugins and macros. It offers a large collection of plugins maintained by a worldwide developer team.
Source: www.guru99.com

Geany Reviews

10 Best Notepad++ Alternatives in 2020
Geany is a text editor which uses GTK+ toolkit. It also has certain basic features of an integrated development environment. The tool supports many filetypes and has some nice features.
Source: www.guru99.com
10 Best Sublime Text Alternatives in 2019
Geany is a text editor which uses GTK+ toolkit. It also has certain basic features of an integrated development environment. The tool supports many filetypes and has some nice features.
Source: www.guru99.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Geany seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 6 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

jEdit mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of jEdit yet. Tracking of jEdit recommendations started around Mar 2021.

Geany mentions (6)

  • Zed on Linux Is Here
    If you want a fast C++ editor with no spurious network connectivity and a conventional desktop UI, check out Geany: https://geany.org/. - Source: Hacker News / 11 months ago
  • Finding the Last Editor
    > One that isn't tied to a specific platform, or preferably even a specific company, and that I trust will still be around until I'm done programming. That is Geany[0]: no opinions, no company affiliations, no editor wars. It has been around forever, works on everything, and is open-source. [0] https://geany.org/. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Best lua ide?
    I just use Geany for everything, it has a long history and has proven itself to be reliable. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Geany is a fantastic, fast, powerful GUI text editor for many purposes & has a low barrier to entry
    After trying a bunch of GUI text editors in Linux and on the Mac I gotta say that to me, Geany is the best. Source: over 3 years ago
  • I know, not exactly Linux.
    Have you tried Geany? It's based on Scintilla, just like Notepad++ is (although that's an implementation detail that you don't really need to know to use either of them), which helps it to feel very similar. Source: over 3 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing jEdit and Geany, you can also consider the following products

Brackets - A modern, open source text editor that understands web design

VS Code - Build and debug modern web and cloud applications, by Microsoft

Notepad++ - A free source code editor which supports several programming languages running under the MS Windows environment.

Sublime Text - Sublime Text is a sophisticated text editor for code, html and prose - any kind of text file. You'll love the slick user interface and extraordinary features. Fully customizable with macros, and syntax highlighting for most major languages.

Vim - Highly configurable text editor built to enable efficient text editing

GNOME - An easy and elegant way to use your computer, GNOME is designed to put you in control and get things done.