Neovim

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Score9.8

Rank#1 of 82

PriceFree

Free planYes

Runs onAndroid, API, Linux, macOS, Self-hosted, Windows

Summary

Neovim is a free, Vim-based text editor designed for extensibility and usability. It retains Vim’s editing model and Vimscript v1 support, while its configuration lives in init.lua and users can build plugins in Lua. A documented, versioned API and RPC enable extensions in different languages, and GUIs, IDEs, and web browsers can embed the editor. Tree-sitter supports syntax highlighting and text objects; built-in language-server support provides semantic code inspection and refactoring. Neovim also includes multicursor editing, macro recording, column editing, large-file handling, and a built-in terminal with modern terminal features. It supports Vim 8.x plugins and more. Stable downloads are listed for Linux, macOS, and Windows, each with x86_64 and arm64 builds. Windows 8 or newer is required; Windows 7 and older are not supported. The license is Apache 2.0 except for portions contributed under the Vim license. Community support is available through GitHub Discussions and vi.stackexchange.com. Android is also listed among supported platforms.

Who it is for

Neovim suits users who want a Vim-based editor with Lua plugins, API-driven extensions, and built-in language-server tools. It is also a fit for developers integrating an editor into a GUI, IDE, or web browser.

What is good

Retains Vim's editing model and Vimscript v1 support.
Lua plugins and documented API support extensions.
Built-in language-server support includes refactoring.
Includes multicursor editing and a built-in terminal.
Free under Apache 2.0, with Vim-licensed exceptions.

What to know first

Windows 8 or newer is required.
Windows 7 and older are unsupported.
Some portions use the Vim license.

Verdict

Neovim combines Vim’s editing model with Lua configuration, a documented API, and built-in language-server and terminal features. Check the platform requirements and license exceptions if those affect your setup.

Neovim plans and pricing

All plans

Neovim Free Apache 2.0 license · Vim-licensed exceptions github.com · 30 Sept 2026

Compared on text editors

Free plan: Yesneovim.io
Extension support: Yesneovim.io
Language server support: Yesneovim.io
Editor type: Vim-based text editorneovim.io

Facts

Supported platforms: Linux, macOS, Windows, Androidneovim.io · 22 Sept 2026
Multi-cursor editing: Yesneovim.io · 22 Sept 2026
Macro recording: Yesneovim.io · 22 Sept 2026
Column editing: Yesneovim.io · 22 Sept 2026
Large-file handling: Yesneovim.io · 22 Sept 2026
Lua Plugins: Users can create Lua plugins easilyneovim.io · 27 Sept 2026
Configuration File: Configuration lives in init.luaneovim.io · 27 Sept 2026
API Documentation: The API is discoverable, versioned, and documentedneovim.io · 27 Sept 2026
Extension Languages: RPC enables extensions in any languageneovim.io · 27 Sept 2026
GUI Integrations: GUIs, IDEs, and web browsers can embed Neovimneovim.io · 27 Sept 2026
Syntax Parsing: Tree-sitter enables accurate syntax highlighting and text objectsneovim.io · 27 Sept 2026
Multicursor Editing: Multicursor replays commands and mappings on marked regionsneovim.io · 27 Sept 2026
Language Servers: LSP provides semantic code inspection and refactoringneovim.io · 27 Sept 2026
Terminal Features: Built-in terminal support includes modern terminal features by defaultneovim.io · 27 Sept 2026
Vim Compatibility: Fully compatible with Vim's editing model and Vimscript v1neovim.io · 27 Sept 2026
Vimscript Support: Vimscript remains supported alongside built-in Luaneovim.io · 27 Sept 2026
Plugin Compatibility: Supports Vim 8.x plugins and moreneovim.io · 27 Sept 2026
Community Support: Support is available through GitHub Discussions and vi.stackexchange.comneovim.io · 27 Sept 2026
Stable Release: The current stable release version is 0.12neovim.io · 27 Sept 2026
Project Vision: The vision is to enable new applications without compromising Vim's traditional rolesneovim.io · 27 Sept 2026
Source Code Size: Neovim has 30% less source code than Vimneovim.io · 27 Sept 2026
Sponsor Distribution: Sponsor contributions go 100% to developersneovim.io · 27 Sept 2026
Product: Neovim is a Vim-based text editor engineered for extensibility and usability.neovim.io · 30 Sept 2026
Target users: Neovim is for users who want the good parts of Vim, and more.neovim.io · 30 Sept 2026
Extensibility: Neovim provides a discoverable, versioned and documented API, ubiquitous RPC, Lua plugins and Tree-sitter parsing.neovim.io · 30 Sept 2026
Editor features: Neovim includes multicursor editing, built-in LSP support, a terminal emulator and modern terminal features.neovim.io · 30 Sept 2026
API languages: Neovim provides API access from languages including C, C++, C#, Go, JavaScript, Lua, Python, Ruby and Rust.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
API clients: The documentation lists Node.js, Python, Ruby and Go API clients, plus additional third-party clients.neovim.io · 30 Sept 2026
Downloads: Stable downloads are provided for macOS x86_64 and arm64, Linux x86_64 and arm64, and Windows x86_64 and arm64.neovim.io · 30 Sept 2026
Windows limit: Windows 8 or newer is required and Windows 7 or older is not supported.neovim.io · 30 Sept 2026
Support tiers: Tier 1 supported platforms include Linux x86_64 and arm64, macOS x86_64 and arm64, and Windows 64-bit.neovim.io · 30 Sept 2026
Security reporting: Security vulnerabilities can be reported through the Neovim GitHub security advisories page.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
License: Neovim is licensed under Apache 2.0 except for parts contributed under the Vim license.github.com · 30 Sept 2026