Software Alternatives & Startups

Notepad++ for Mac VS Eclipse

Compare Notepad++ for Mac VS Eclipse and see what are their differences

Notepad++ for Mac

Notepad++ for Mac is a free, open-source, native macOS code editor. Universal Binary for Apple Silicon (M1–M5) and Intel Macs. No Wine, no Rosetta, no emulation.

Rating
0 reviews
Eclipse

Eclipse is an open source community, whose projects are focused on building an open development platform comprised of extensible frameworks, tools and runtimes for building, deploying and managing software across the lifecycle.

Rating
0 reviews

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Eclipse should be more popular than Notepad++ for Mac. It has been mentioned 9 times since March 2021.

social mentions
1 vs 9
Software Development popularity
4% vs 96%
alternatives listed
16 vs 240+

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

Notepad++ for Mac
Eclipse
Website notepad-plus-plus-mac.org eclipse.org
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Notepad++ for Mac 5 features
Eclipse 5 features
  • Familiar Interface
    Notepad++ for Mac aims to replicate the well-known Notepad++ interface that Windows users are already comfortable with, making the transition to macOS easier for those who relied on the original editor.
  • Syntax Highlighting
    The editor supports syntax highlighting for numerous programming languages, making it useful for developers and coders who work with multiple languages and need visual code differentiation.
  • Lightweight
    Like its Windows counterpart, the Mac version is designed to be a lightweight text editor that doesn't consume excessive system resources, allowing it to launch quickly and run smoothly even on older hardware.
  • Free to Use
    Notepad++ for Mac is available at no cost, making it an accessible option for users who need a capable text editor without paying for premium software licenses.
  • Plugin Support
    The editor offers some degree of plugin and extension support, allowing users to customize and extend the functionality of the editor to better suit their specific workflow needs.

Possible disadvantages

  • Not an Official Port
    The website notepad-plus-plus-mac.org is not an official release from the original Notepad++ developer (Don Ho). It may be a third-party wrapper or alternative, which raises concerns about authenticity, reliability, and ongoing maintenance.
  • Limited Feature Parity
    The Mac version may not have full feature parity with the original Windows Notepad++, meaning some advanced features, plugins, or customization options that Windows users rely on may be missing or incomplete.
  • Security Concerns
    Since this is not an official distribution, downloading software from third-party sources can pose potential security risks, including the possibility of bundled adware or malware.
  • Better Native Alternatives Exist
    macOS has well-established and highly capable text editors such as Sublime Text, Visual Studio Code, BBEdit, and TextMate that are natively built for the platform and often offer superior performance and features.
  • Irregular Updates
    Unofficial ports or third-party adaptations tend to receive less frequent updates compared to the original software or established Mac-native editors, potentially leaving bugs unpatched and lacking support for newer macOS versions.
  • Rich Plugin Ecosystem
    Eclipse has a large variety of plugins available, which allow for the customization and extension of its functionality. This makes it suitable for different types of development, including Java, C++, and Python.
  • Open Source
    Eclipse is free and open-source, allowing developers to contribute to and modify the codebase. This encourages community engagement and continuous improvement.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    Eclipse runs on various operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, which provides flexibility for developers working in different environments.
  • Mature and Stable
    Eclipse has been around for a long time and has a large community of users, making it a mature and stable IDE.
  • Extensive Documentation
    Eclipse offers comprehensive documentation and user guides, which are helpful for both beginners and advanced developers.

Possible disadvantages

  • Performance Issues
    Eclipse can be slow, particularly when dealing with large projects or numerous plugins. This can be frustrating and time-consuming for developers.
  • Complexity
    The extensive range of features and plugins can make Eclipse overwhelming and difficult to navigate for new users.
  • Heavy Resource Utilization
    Eclipse is known to consume a significant amount of system resources, which can affect the performance of other applications.
  • Steeper Learning Curve
    Due to its extensive capabilities and complexity, Eclipse may have a steeper learning curve compared to simpler IDEs.
  • Occasional Stability Issues
    While generally stable, Eclipse can sometimes be prone to crashes or bugs, particularly when using third-party plugins that are not well-maintained.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

Notepad++ for Mac
Eclipse

Overall verdict

  • Caution advised: Notepad++ is a Windows-only application developed by Don Ho, and there is no official Mac version. The domain notepad-plus-plus-mac.org is not affiliated with the official Notepad++ project (notepad-plus-plus.org), so downloads from it may be unofficial, repackaged, or potentially bundled with unwanted software. It cannot be recommended as a legitimate or safe source.

Why this product is good

  • Notepad++ is genuinely a well-regarded, free, open-source text and code editor with syntax highlighting, plugins, and strong community support—but only on Windows.
  • There is no official Notepad++ build for macOS; the developer has never released a native Mac version.
  • Third-party sites offering 'Notepad++ for Mac' are unofficial and may distribute modified installers, adware, or misleading wrappers.
  • Mac users have safer, well-maintained native alternatives that provide equivalent or better functionality.

Recommended for

  • Windows users who should instead download Notepad++ directly from the official site notepad-plus-plus.org
  • Mac users who are better served by native alternatives such as VS Code, Sublime Text, BBEdit, or the free CotEditor
  • Developers seeking a lightweight, trustworthy code editor without risking downloads from unofficial mirror sites

No analysis of Eclipse yet.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Notepad++ for Mac 0 videos + Add
Eclipse 3 videos + Add

No Notepad++ for Mac videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Review: 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT V6 (Manual)

More videos

  • - 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse Review - No Show No Go
  • - MotorWeek | Retro Review: '95 Mitsubishi Eclipse

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
Notepad++ for Mac
Eclipse
4% 4%
96% 96%
3% 3%
IDE
97% 97%
3% 3%
97% 97%
100% 100%
0% 0%

User comments

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

Notepad++ for Mac no reviews yet
Eclipse no reviews yet

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Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Notepad++ for Mac 1 mention
Eclipse 9 mentions
  • Trademark Violation: Fake Notepad++ for Mac
    Visiting the referenced website (https://notepad-plus-plus-mac.org/), the first thing I see is a big, green Announcement that says:
      In coordination with Don Ho, the creator of the original Notepad++, I'll be evolving...
    - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago
  • Microsoft: An Open-Source Comedy
    💡 You can still install extensions on vscodium using Open VSX Registry, which is an opensource project by Eclipse Foundation. - Source: dev.to / about 1 year ago
  • Decryption and incomplete certificate chains
    For example I can access eclipse.org in chrome without issue. I'm seeing my PA cert when I check it's trusted. However when I run the eclipse installer it fails which I suspect is because of the decryption. I'm seeing this log in the... Source: over 3 years ago
  • The eclipse/Java struggle is real...Please help
    I think u/rayok's post is probably going to be your most relevant lead. Maybe it's a JRE related thing. I'd go ahead and reinstall eclipse from the eclipse.org download page rather than your OS app store. Maybe the JRE didnt get... Source: over 3 years ago

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Alternatives to Notepad++ for Mac and Eclipse

When comparing Notepad++ for Mac and Eclipse, you can also consider the following products.