Notepad++ vs Zed:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Notepad++ had more branded searches than Zed among code editors worldwide. Notepad++ had about 673,000 branded searches, while Zed had 40,500. Notepad++ made up 12.6% of all code editor searches we track, and Zed accounted for 0.76%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about code editors, Zed appeared in all five answers and Notepad++ in two. Zed was mentioned before Notepad++ in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Notepad++, about 17 searches for every 1 for Zed
Who does AI mention more?
Zed, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Zed, named ahead of Notepad++ in every answer
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Top code editors in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Zed appeared in all five answers. Notepad++ was mentioned in two out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in both Google AI Overviews. Zed was listed before Notepad++ in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Visual Studio Code1st
Cursor2nd- Zed3rd
Sublime Text4th
JetBrains5th
Neovim6th- Notepad++7th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Visual Studio Code5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Cursor5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Zed5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Sublime Text3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Neovim3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Notepad++2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- JetBrains2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about code editors
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which code editor should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best code editors?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best code editor for daily programming work?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“code editor”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“programming editor”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.
Is Notepad++ or Zed more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Notepad++ and Zed by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven code editors we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Notepad++, Zed. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Visual Studio Code | Notepad++ | JetBrains | Sublime Text | Cursor | Neovim | Zed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 69.6% | 14.5% | 5.3% | 4.3% | 2.9% | 2.4% | 1.1% |
| Nov 2025 | 69.7% | 15.3% | 4.6% | 4.6% | 3% | 2% | 0.75% |
| Dec 2025 | 67.4% | 17.1% | 5.1% | 4.2% | 3% | 2.3% | 0.84% |
| Jan 2026 | 70.2% | 14.6% | 4.4% | 4.4% | 3.2% | 2.4% | 0.88% |
| Feb 2026 | 64.5% | 21% | 4.2% | 4.2% | 3.2% | 1.9% | 0.85% |
| Mar 2026 | 69.1% | 14.4% | 5.3% | 4.3% | 3.7% | 2.4% | 0.86% |
| Apr 2026 | 72.8% | 12.4% | 4.5% | 3.7% | 3.5% | 2% | 1.1% |
| May 2026 | 72.6% | 12.3% | 4.5% | 3.7% | 3.5% | 2% | 1.4% |
| Jun 2026 | 74.2% | 12.6% | 3.8% | 3.1% | 3.5% | 1.7% | 1.1% |
| Jul 2026 | 73.7% | 13.3% | 4% | 3.2% | 3.3% | 1.8% | 0.8% |
| Aug 2026 | 73.8% | 13.3% | 4% | 3.3% | 3.1% | 1.8% | 0.8% |
| Sep 2026 | 74% | 12.6% | 4.6% | 3.8% | 2.7% | 1.7% | 0.76% |
How has the Notepad++ and Zed comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Notepad++ was ahead of Zed in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Notepad++’s share of searches among code editors worldwide moved from 14.5% to 12.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 823K to 673K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Zed’s share of searches among code editors worldwide moved from 1.1% to 0.76%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 60.5K to 40.5K.
How did search popularity change for code editors worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Notepad++ lost share of searches among code editors worldwide, from 13.3% to 12.6%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Zed worldwide fell 33.1% over 12 measured months, from 60.5K to 40.5K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Notepad++’s and Zed’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
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