Bluefish
What it is
Bluefish is a free, open-source desktop editor for programmers and web developers writing websites, scripts, and code. It supports more than 30 markup and programming languages and runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows. Editing tools include regular-expression search and replace, code folding, auto-completion, and automatic tag closing. Its multi-document interface can handle 1,000 or more documents; the project reports that more than 10,000 were tested simultaneously. Project support restores settings automatically, and gvfs enables work with remote files over FTP, SFTP, HTTP, HTTPS, WebDAV, CIFS, and other protocols. Users can integrate external programs such as make, lint, weblint, xmllint, tidy, and javac, or run custom programs and scripts. The Flatpak build has a specific limitation: its strict security restrictions block integration with some system tools and the web browser, although internal functionality continues to work. Bluefish is released under the GNU GPL. Community support is volunteer-run through a mailing list and bug tracker; commercial support can be requested from the project manager.
For and against
For
- Free and released under the GNU GPL
- Supports more than 30 markup and programming languages
- Project settings restore automatically
- Works with remote files over several protocols
- Available for Linux, macOS, and Windows
Against
- Flatpak restrictions block integration with some system tools
- Community support is volunteer-run
The verdict
Bluefish offers broad language support and remote-file access in a free desktop editor. Users who need external tools should account for the Flatpak-specific integration limits.
Who it suits
Bluefish may suit programmers and web developers looking for a free desktop editor across Linux, macOS, or Windows. Its language support, remote-file access, and project settings may be useful for people working across multiple documents and tools.
Plans and prices
Bluefish
GNU GPL software · desktop editor
Read 4 Oct 2026 · bluefish.sourceforge.io
On the record
- Documents
- Its multiple document interface can open 1,000 or more documents; the features page says more than 10,000 were tested simultaneously.bluefish.sourceforge.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Editing tools
- Features include regular expression search and replace, code folding, auto-completion, and auto-tag-closing.bluefish.sourceforge.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- External tools
- Users can integrate external programs such as make, lint, weblint, xmllint, tidy, and javac, or run custom programs and scripts.bluefish.sourceforge.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Flatpak limitation
- The Flatpak build's strict security blocks integration with system tools such as make, pylint, weblint, and the web browser, while internal functionality works as expected.bluefish.sourceforge.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- History
- The project history says Bluefish was started by Olivier Sessink, Chris Mazuc, and Neil Millar in 1998.bluefish.sourceforge.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Languages
- Bluefish supports more than 30 markup and programming languages.bluefish.sourceforge.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- License
- Bluefish is an open source project released under the GNU GPL license.bluefish.sourceforge.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Projects
- Project support restores settings for each project automatically.bluefish.sourceforge.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Bluefish is a lightweight editor for programmers and web developers to write websites, scripts, and programming code.bluefish.sourceforge.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Remote files
- Using gvfs, Bluefish supports remote files over FTP, SFTP, HTTP, HTTPS, WebDAV, CIFS, and other protocols.bluefish.sourceforge.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Security
- The project page describes the Flatpak build's strict security restrictions but does not state a security certification or compliance standard.bluefish.sourceforge.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- Community and support are volunteer-run through a mailing list and bug tracker; the project says commercial support can be requested by contacting its project manager.bluefish.sourceforge.io · read 4 Oct 2026
