Software Alternatives & Startups

VirtualBox VS Notepad++ for Mac

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

VirtualBox

VirtualBox is a powerful x86 and AMD64/Intel64 virtualization product for enterprise as well as...

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
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.

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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, VirtualBox seems to be a lot more popular than Notepad++ for Mac. While we know about 32 links to VirtualBox, we've tracked only 1 mention of Notepad++ for Mac.

social mentions
32 vs 1
Cloud Computing popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
217 vs 16

Base details

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

VirtualBox
Notepad++ for Mac
Website virtualbox.org notepad-plus-plus-mac.org
Pricing
Open source
—
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

VirtualBox 5 features
Notepad++ for Mac 5 features
  • Open Source
    VirtualBox is open-source software, which means it is freely available for personal and commercial use. Users can access and modify the source code, enhancing flexibility and customization.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    VirtualBox supports multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and Solaris, making it highly versatile and suitable for various environments.
  • Ease of Use
    VirtualBox offers a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for both beginners and experienced users to create and manage virtual machines.
  • Snapshot Feature
    VirtualBox allows users to take snapshots of their virtual machines, enabling them to save the current state and revert back to it if necessary, which is useful for testing and debugging.
  • Guest Additions
    VirtualBox provides Guest Additions that enhance the performance and usability of guest operating systems. Features include shared folders, clipboard sharing, and improved graphics performance.

Possible disadvantages

  • Performance Overhead
    VirtualBox may introduce performance overhead compared to running software directly on physical hardware. This can affect the speed and responsiveness of the virtual machines.
  • Limited 3D Graphics Support
    The 3D graphics support in VirtualBox is not as robust as some other virtualization solutions, which may be a limitation for users requiring heavy graphical applications.
  • Lack of Enterprise-Level Features
    While VirtualBox is suitable for personal and small-scale use, it may lack some advanced features and scalability options required for large enterprise environments.
  • Complex Network Setup
    Setting up complex networking configurations in VirtualBox can be challenging and may require additional knowledge and effort.
  • Resource Intensive
    Running multiple virtual machines in VirtualBox can be resource-intensive, potentially leading to system slowdowns if the host machine does not have sufficient CPU and memory resources.
  • 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.

Analysis

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

VirtualBox
Notepad++ for Mac

No analysis of VirtualBox yet.

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

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

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

VirtualBox vs VMware Player - In-Depth Comparison on Ubuntu 18.04

More videos

  • - Oracle VM VirtualBox Review (Real User: Erik Benner)
  • - How to Use VirtualBox (Beginners Guide)

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

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
VirtualBox
Notepad++ for Mac
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
IDE
100% 100%

User comments

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Reviews and articles

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

VirtualBox no reviews yet
Notepad++ for Mac no reviews yet

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We have no reviews of Notepad++ for Mac yet. Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

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

VirtualBox 32 mentions
Notepad++ for Mac 1 mention
  • Barbie Secret Agent game for Mac
    Also, if your sister has an Intel Mac instead of an M1 Mac, I highly suggest VirtualBox and setting up something like Windows XP on that instead of Windows 11-- the steps will be pretty similar, and VirtualBox is free. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Is virtualbox.org down?
    I am unable to reach any page within the virtualbox.org domain including forums, but I can't find any post online about others having this issue. Is there a known problem at virtualbox.org or should I look locally? I usually get the... Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Multipass: Ubuntu Virtual Machines Made Easy
    Some of these tools include Oracle VM VirtualBox (that I've used since before the acquisition of Sun Microsystems by Oracle), VMWare Workstation Player, and QEMU, but last year, I found out about Multipass. - Source: dev.to / almost 3 years ago

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  • 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

Alternatives to VirtualBox and Notepad++ for Mac

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