Neovim is a powerful, highly extensible text editor based on Vim. It retains Vim’s modal editing model while introducing modern functionality, improved defaults and an architecture designed for extensibility.
The editor combines built-in Language Server Protocol (LSP) support, Tree-sitter integration, Lua scripting and an embedded terminal emulator. Its extensive plugin ecosystem allows users to build sophisticated development environments tailored to their requirements.
Neovim also provides a built-in plugin manager, asynchronous operations and support for external graphical interfaces. It retains compatibility with Vim’s editing model and many existing Vim plugins.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Modal editing – powerful keyboard-driven editing with motions, text objects, macros, registers and multiple buffers.
- Built-in LSP client – supports code navigation, diagnostics, completion and other language-aware functionality with compatible language servers.
- Tree-sitter integration – provides syntax-aware parsing and highlighting for supported programming languages.
- Lua scripting – customise the editor, automate tasks and develop plugins.
- Built-in plugin manager – install, update and remove plugins using vim.pack.
- Embedded terminal emulator – run shells and interactive applications within the editor.
- Asynchronous job control – execute external processes without blocking the editing interface.
- Extensive plugin ecosystem – supports numerous extensions and many existing Vim plugins.
- Advanced editing – split windows, tabs, syntax highlighting, persistent undo history and configurable key mappings.
- Remote interfaces – external graphical interfaces and applications can communicate with Neovim through its API.
- Vim compatibility – retains Vimscript support, familiar commands and established editing workflows.
- Cross-platform support – runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Website: neovim.io
Support:
Developer: Neovim team and contributors
License: Apache License 2.0 and Vim License
Neovim is written in C. Learn C with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Related Software
| Vim-like Text Editors | |
|---|---|
| Neovim | Vim-fork focused on extensibility and usability |
| Helix | Kakoune / Neovim inspired editor. |
| Lapce | Modern editor in Rust which uses native GUI and GPU rendering |
| NvChad | Neovim config aiming to provide a base configuration |
| LunarVim | IDE layer for Neovim |
| Kakoune | Implements Vi’s "keystrokes as a text editing language" model |
| Vis | Combining modal editing with structural regular expressions |
| vile | Text editor that combines aspects of the Emacs and vi editors |
| pyvim | Implementation of Vim in Python |
| gVim | Vim with a built-in GUI |
| amp | Vim-like editor written in Rust |
| Vy | Vim-like in Python made from scratch |
| moe | Command-line editor inspired by Vim |
| wig | Modal, Vim-like text editor |
| sled | Simple text editor with a terminal UI |
| red | Modern modal text editor written in Rust |
| ad | Adaptable text editor |
| hat | Hackable modal text editor |
| HAKO | Lightweight terminal-based modal text environment |
| xvi | Portable multi-file text editor |
| aretext | Minimalist text editor with vim-compatible key bindings |
| Levee | Also known as Captain Video |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
| Integrated Development Environments | |
|---|---|
| RStudio | Enterprise-ready professional software for R |
| PyCharm | Integrated Development Environment for Python |
| Neovim | Continuation and extension of Vim |
| Lapce | Fast and powerful code editor written in Rust |
| NetBeans IDE | Java based IDE from Apache |
| VSCodium | Binary distribution of VS Code |
| Eclipse | Java based environment combining a number of different Eclipse projects |
| Qt Creator | Cross-platform, complete Integrated Development Environment |
| Spyder | The Scientific Python Development Environment |
| KDevelop | An easy to use IDE for KDE |
| Helix | Post-modern modal text editor |
| Theia | Cloud & desktop IDE framework |
| eric | Full featured Python editor and IDE |
| Thonny | Python Integrated Development Environment for Beginners |
| Lazarus | Delphi compatible cross-platform IDE |
| PyDev | Python Integrated Development Environment for Eclipse |
| Gambas | Development environment and a full powerful development platform |
| Che | Kubernetes based Cloud Development Environments for Enterprise Teams |
| Leo | Python based IDE, Outliner and PIM |
| IntelliJ IDEA | IDE for Java, Groovy, and other languages |
| LiteIDE | Edit and build Go projects |
| Arduino IDE | Electronics prototyping platform |
| ZeroBrane Studio | Lightweight Lua-based IDE for Lua |
| CodeLite | Powerful and lightweight C/C++ IDE |
| Pyzo | Cross-Platform Python IDE focused on interactivity and introspection |
| DrRacket | IDE for the Racket programming languages |
| Builder | IDE for GNOME |
| Geany | Small and lightweight IDE based on Scintilla |
| Code::Blocks | Very extensible and fully configurable |
| Ecere SDK | Software development kit |
| Zasper | IDE for Data Science |
| U++ | Rapid application development framework |
| roobuilder | Vala and JavaScript IDE |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
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