Software Alternatives & Startups

Vim VS Sprout

Compare Vim VS Sprout and see what are their differences

Vim

Highly configurable text editor built to enable efficient text editing

Vim Landing page
Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
Sprout

When HP’s Sprout Pro was introduced in 2014, everyone saw the possibilities.

Sprout Landing page
Rating
0 reviews
Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Vim seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 10 times since March 2021.

social mentions
10 vs 0
Text Editors popularity
100% vs 0%

Base details

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

Vim
Sprout
Website vim.org sprout.hp.com
Pricing
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Vim 6 features
Sprout 5 features
  • Efficiency
    Once learned, Vim can significantly speed up text editing with its modal editing, keyboard shortcuts, and commands that allow for quick navigation and manipulation of text.
  • Lightweight
    Vim is a very lightweight editor, consuming minimal system resources, making it highly performant even on systems with lower specifications.
  • Customizability
    Vim is highly configurable and extensible through plugins and user-defined settings, allowing users to tailor the editor to their specific needs.
  • Ubiquity
    Vim is available on almost every Unix-like system and even on Windows, making it a ubiquitous tool that you can rely on being available in most environments.
  • Support for Multiple Programming Languages
    Vim supports a wide range of programming languages out of the box and offers syntax highlighting, which can be enhanced through plugins.
  • Powerful Search and Replace
    Vim offers robust searching and replacing functionalities, including support for regular expressions, which can be a powerful tool for developers.

Possible disadvantages

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Vim's modal editing and extensive set of commands can be daunting for new users, requiring significant time and effort to master.
  • Minimal Default Config
    The default configuration of Vim is quite minimalistic, which may necessitate additional setup and customization to meet modern development needs.
  • Limited GUI
    Vim primarily operates in a terminal, and while there are graphical variants like GVim, they are not as feature-rich or user-friendly as modern GUI editors.
  • Plugin Management
    While Vim is highly extensible, managing and configuring plugins can be cumbersome compared to more modern editors that offer integrated plugin management.
  • Inconsistent Behavior Across Platforms
    There may be inconsistencies in behavior or available features of Vim across different operating systems, which can complicate its use in certain environments.
  • Lack of Integrated Modern Features
    Vim lacks some modern IDE features like integrated debugging, advanced code introspection, and refined autocompletion, which often require third-party plugins to achieve.
  • Innovative 3D Scanning
    The HP Sprout is equipped with a 3D scanner that allows users to easily create 3D models of real-world objects, which can be useful for designers, educators, and developers.
  • Touch Mat Interface
    It features a touch mat and projector that provide a unique and interactive interface, making tasks like editing graphics or creating art more intuitive.
  • Dual-Screen Capability
    The system offers dual screens (a touchscreen and a projection screen), enabling enhanced multitasking and a larger workspace for creative projects.
  • Creative Software Suite
    Sprout comes pre-loaded with a suite of software designed to complement its unique hardware, aiding creative professionals with tasks like photo editing, 3D modeling, and more.
  • All-in-One Design
    As an all-in-one desktop, it eliminates the need for multiple devices and peripherals, saving space and reducing clutter.

Possible disadvantages

  • High Cost
    The price point of the HP Sprout is significantly higher than traditional desktops and laptops, which may be a barrier for individual users or small businesses.
  • Large Footprint
    Due to its dual-screen and touch mat setup, the Sprout requires a large amount of desk space, which might not be suitable for all work environments.
  • Limited Software Compatibility
    While it comes with a creative suite, the Sprout may have limited compatibility with some professional software applications that creative professionals rely on.
  • Niche Market
    The features of the HP Sprout are highly specialized, making it more appealing to niche markets like designers and educators rather than general consumers.
  • Learning Curve
    Users may experience a learning curve when adapting to the Sprout’s unique hardware and software interface, potentially impacting productivity initially.

Analysis

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

Vim
Sprout

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Vim is a good text editor, especially for users who invest the time to learn its powerful commands and features. Its steep learning curve may be challenging initially, but once mastered, it significantly enhances productivity.

Why this product is good

  • Vim is considered a powerful text editor because of its efficiency and versatility. It offers extensive features, such as syntax highlighting, a robust plugin system, and support for numerous programming languages. Vim is highly configurable, enabling users to customize its environment to fit their needs. It is particularly appreciated for its speed and the ability to perform complex text manipulations using simple commands.

Recommended for

    Vim is recommended for programmers, developers, and system administrators who require a highly efficient and customizable text editing experience. It is especially useful for those who work extensively in terminal environments or need a quick, resource-light text editor for remote systems.

Overall verdict

  • Sprout (sprout.hp.com:443) is a useful platform, but its suitability depends on specific user needs.

Why this product is good

  • Sprout by HP is known for its innovative features such as 3D scanning, touch mat interface, and powerful collaboration tools, making it a good choice for creative professionals and education sectors.

Recommended for

  • Designers looking for a versatile tool with 3D capabilities.
  • Educators seeking interactive learning tools.
  • Creative professionals who benefit from innovative interfaces.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Vim 3 videos + Add
Sprout 3 videos + Add

What Vim Is and Why You Should Learn It

More videos

  • Review - JAC Vapour VIM Review - JAC does a side by side mod...
  • Review - Jac Vapour VIM - Quick Look

Review! The PS Audio Sprout 100!

More videos

  • Review - Sprout 100 Review
  • Review - Sprout Social Review: More features than you'll likely need

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
Vim
Sprout
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
HR
100% 100%
100% 100%
IDE
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using Vim and Sprout. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Reviews and articles

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

Vim no reviews yet
Sprout no reviews yet
  • Boost Your Productivity with These Top Text Editors and IDEs
    convesio.com · Nov 2023

    Vim offers a variety of features like split windows, macros, and extensive customization options. It has a steep learning curve, but once you master it, you’ll be amazed at the speed and productivity it brings to your...

  • 13 Best Text Editors to Speed up Your Workflow
    kinsta.com · Sep 2023

    It’s tough to say which developers would enjoy Vim as a text editor. It’s an old system with an outdated interface. Yet, it still has the charm and powerful feature-set that the average developer needs. I would...

  • 12 Best LaTeX Editors You Should Use
    beebom.com · Dec 2021

    The entire installation process is perfectly documented on their Sourceforge page, which you must definitely pay a visit. There is another standalone Vim software, known as the gVim that brings a GUI-based interface...

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We have no reviews of Sprout yet. Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

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

Vim 10 mentions
Sprout 0 mentions
  • regular Vim has lua?!
    Lua is quite small, encouraging distros to include it. The ubuntu gvim has, and the gvim AppImage linked from vim.org does. The default Makefile from github is set up to not include it, but you can uncomment one line there to get it. Source: over 3 years ago
  • is there a way to make highlighted text persistent after quit when using something like [match Search /\%'.line('.').'l/] ?
    I've not used vimwiki locally (tho I'm old enough to remember the Vim wiki on vim.org :), but I think what you are wanting to do is extend vimwiki's syntax file. I presume it installs one at $VIMRUNTIM/syntax or or ~/.vim/syntax. If... Source: almost 4 years ago
  • vim.org - Is there a reason for this 1800s-esque design?
    Vim.org has 242k total visitors, tailwindcss.com has 4.4m, planetscale.com has 412k, jpl.nasa.gov has 2.6m, all built with Tailwind, all several years younger than Vim's website. Unnecessary comparison, unnecessary defence. It's a... Source: almost 4 years ago

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Tracking Sprout since Mar 2021.

Alternatives to Vim and Sprout

When comparing Vim and Sprout, you can also consider the following products.