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Geany
What it is
Geany is a free integrated development environment for Linux, macOS, and Windows. It brings syntax highlighting, code completion, call tips, and code folding to a range of programming and markup files, including C, Java, PHP, HTML, Python, Perl, and Pascal. An embedded terminal is part of the feature set, and plugins can add extensions. Editing tools include macro recording and column editing; multi-cursor editing is not supported. Geany is distributed under the GNU General Public License, version 2 or later, at no cost. For Linux, BSD, and similar systems, the project recommends using distribution packages, naming Debian, Fedora, and Ubuntu among the options. Prebuilt Windows and macOS packages are available from the project, which also links to a portable Windows version. Building from source requires GTK3 libraries and headers, dependency libraries, and C and C++ compilers. Users encountering build errors are directed to the mailing list or an author.
For and against
For
- Free under GNU GPL version 2 or later
- Syntax highlighting, completion, call tips, and folding
- Includes an embedded terminal
- Supports macro recording and column editing
- Available for Linux, macOS, and Windows
Against
- Does not support multi-cursor editing
- Source builds require GTK3, dependencies, and C/C++ compilers
The verdict
Geany combines core editing features, terminal emulation, and plugin support in a free IDE for three desktop platforms. Its source-build requirements and lack of multi-cursor editing are worth noting.
Who it suits
Geany suits developers who want a free, lightweight coding environment across Linux, macOS, or Windows, with plugins and an embedded terminal. Source builders should be prepared to install its listed libraries and compilers.
Plans and prices
Geany
GPL-2.0-or-later · desktop IDE/text editor
Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Additional packages
- Geany’s third-party packages page lists packages for Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, Gentoo, openSUSE, Arch Linux, and BSD variants.geany.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- API maturity
- The API documentation is marked as work in progress and warns that undocumented symbols may change.geany.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Association
- Geany e.V. is a registered association in Stendal, Germany created to represent the project and handle donated money.geany.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Association board
- The listed board consists of Enrico Tröger, Frank Lanitz and Silvio Knizek.geany.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Association founding
- The Geany e.V. association was founded on November 3, 2016.geany.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Association governance
- The association says development remains the responsibility of core developers and the community rather than the association itself.geany.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Build requirements
- Building from source requires GTK3 libraries and headers, dependency libraries, and C and C++ compilers.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Build system
- Its build system can compile and execute code through external tools.en.wikipedia.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Call tips
- The editor offers call-tip assistance while coding.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Code completion
- Geany includes symbol and code completion features.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Code folding
- Geany supports folding sections of source files.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Column editing
- Yesgithub.com · read 22 Sep 2026
- Construct completion
- It can complete common constructs such as if, for and while statements.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Desktop availability
- Prebuilt packages are available for Windows and macOS, while packages are also available for many Linux distributions.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Documentation
- Official documentation includes a manual, FAQ, release notes, hacking guidance, wiki and plugin API reference.geany.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Editing features
- Its listed features include syntax highlighting, code completion, call tips, and code folding.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Extension support
- Yesgithub.com · read 22 Sep 2026
- File types
- The project lists support for file types including C, Java, PHP, HTML, Python, Perl, and Pascal.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
