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Notepad.js VS ReText

Compare Notepad.js VS ReText and see what are their differences

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Notepad.js logo Notepad.js

An offline capable notepad powered by ServiceWorker. It's quick, distraction-free, dark mode enabled, mobile compatible (Android, iOS) and minimalist in nature.

ReText logo ReText

Simple text editor for Markdown and reStructuredText documents.
  • Notepad.js Landing page
    Landing page //
    2025-05-03
  • ReText Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-25

Notepad.js features and specs

  • Lightweight
    Notepad.js is a lightweight application, meaning it requires minimal resources to operate efficiently. This makes it a great choice for users who want a simple and quick tool for text editing without the overhead of a more comprehensive program.
  • Open Source
    As an open-source project, Notepad.js allows users to review, modify, and contribute to the codebase. This promotes transparency and enables users to tailor the application to their specific needs.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    Unlike traditional text editors that may be tied to specific operating systems, Notepad.js operates within a web browser, making it accessible on any device with internet access and a modern browser.
  • No Installation Required
    Notepad.js runs directly in the browser, which means no installation is needed. This saves disk space and makes it easy to switch between devices.

Possible disadvantages of Notepad.js

  • Limited Features
    Compared to more advanced text or code editors like Visual Studio Code or Sublime Text, Notepad.js offers basic functionality. It may not meet the needs of users requiring advanced features such as version control, debugging, or plugins.
  • Dependent on Internet Access
    Since Notepad.js operates via a web browser, users must have internet access to utilize the tool. This could be a limitation for users needing offline access to a text editor.
  • Security Concerns
    Being an online tool, users may have concerns about the security and privacy of their data, particularly when editing sensitive information.
  • No Native File System Integration
    Notepad.js, operating as a web app, lacks deep integration with the file system of the device, making it less efficient for certain file operations compared to desktop applications.

ReText features and specs

  • Cross-Platform
    ReText is compatible with Linux, Windows, and MacOS, making it accessible to users across different operating systems.
  • Simple and Lightweight
    ReText has a straightforward user interface and minimal resource usage, making it easy to navigate and efficient to use.
  • Supports Multiple Markup Languages
    The editor supports both Markdown and reStructuredText, providing flexibility for users who prefer either markup language.
  • Live Preview
    ReText offers a live preview feature that updates in real-time, allowing users to see the rendered output of their text as they write.
  • Extensible
    It supports extensions and plugins, enabling users to customize and extend its functionality according to their needs.
  • Free and Open Source
    ReText is open-source software released under the GPL license, which allows users to use, modify, and distribute it freely.

Possible disadvantages of ReText

  • Limited Advanced Features
    While ReText is great for basic editing, it lacks more advanced features found in other text editors designed for power users.
  • Development Activity
    The pace of development can sometimes be slow, which might result in less frequent updates and delayed bug fixes.
  • Dependency on Python
    ReText requires Python to run, which might be a barrier for users who are not familiar with setting up Python environments.
  • User Interface
    The UI, while simple, can feel somewhat outdated compared to other modern text editors, which may affect user experience.
  • Limited Community Support
    ReText has a smaller user community compared to more popular text editors, which means fewer resources for troubleshooting and community-driven enhancements.

Analysis of ReText

Overall verdict

  • ReText is highly regarded as a reliable and efficient text editor for those needing support for markdown and reStructuredText. Although it may not have as many features as some other text editors, its lightweight nature and targeted functionality make it a suitable choice for its intended use cases.

Why this product is good

  • ReText is considered to be a good text editor due to its simplicity and focus on markdown and reStructuredText. It provides a distraction-free writing environment with support for live preview, which can be especially useful for writers or developers who need to work with these markup languages. Being open-source, it allows for community contributions and transparent development.

Recommended for

  • Writers who frequently use markdown or reStructuredText
  • Developers documenting code with these markup languages
  • Users looking for an open-source, lightweight, and straightforward text editor

Notepad.js videos

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ReText videos

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ReText - Brainstorm | Revision 2012

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How to install ReText on Ubuntu 17.04

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Notepad.js and ReText)

Notepad.js

ReText

Text Editors
26 26%
Text Editors
74% 74
IDE
35 35%
IDE
65% 65
Software Development
48 48%
Software Development
52% 52
Note Taking
100 100%
Note Taking
0% 0

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, ReText seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 1 time 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.

Notepad.js mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Notepad.js yet. Tracking of Notepad.js recommendations started around May 2025.

ReText mentions (1)

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Notepad.js and ReText, you can also consider the following products

Windows Notepad - Most simple text editor. Just plain text, saves in .txt format.

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.

UltraEdit - UltraCompare is the name of an advanced level of file and folder comparison platform that is loaded with an advanced level of features and functions.

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

Eclipse IoT - Eclipse IoT provides the technology needed to build IoT Devices, Gateways, and Cloud Platforms.

Notepad3 - Notepad3 is a fast and light-weight Scintilla-based text editor with syntax highlighting.

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