Neovim — A free, Apache-2.0-licensed fork of Vim focused on extensibility, with a built-in LSP client, Lua scripting, and Tree-sitter syntax parsing.

What is Neovim?

Neovim is a hyperextensible, Vim-based text editor: it keeps Vim's modal editing model (normal, insert, visual modes and Vim motions) while rewriting the underlying architecture to make the editor easier to extend and maintain. The project markets itself as containing roughly 30% less source code than Vim while adding modern capabilities Vim lacks out of the box: a built-in LSP client for semantic code completion and diagnostics, native support for Tree-sitter parsing (more accurate syntax highlighting and code navigation than regex-based highlighting), and a first-class remote API using MessagePack so plugins can be written in any language and run as separate processes. Configuration and plugins can be written in Lua via init.lua, in addition to Vim's traditional Vimscript. Neovim's client-server design also allows multiple front-end UIs (terminal, GUI apps, embedded editors) to attach to the same running instance. It is entirely free, with no paid tier, and is licensed under Apache 2.0 for code written since 2014, with Vim-derived portions retaining Vim's own license.

Neovim is a terminal-based text editor forked from Vim to modernize its internals while keeping Vim's editing model and keybindings compatible with existing muscle memory and most Vim 8.x plugins. It is completely free and open source under Apache 2.0 (with some Vim-derived code under Vim's own license), distributed via package managers like Homebrew, apt, and Arch's pacman, with pre-built packages for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Its core differentiators are a built-in Language Server Protocol client for code intelligence, native Lua configuration and plugin scripting alongside Vimscript, Tree-sitter-based syntax highlighting and code navigation, and a client-server architecture that lets multiple UIs attach to one editing session. Neovim targets developers who already know Vim's modal editing and want a more extensible, actively developed base for building a customized coding environment, competing with VS Code, Vim itself, and Helix.

Standout feature: A built-in LSP client and native Tree-sitter integration ship in the core editor, so modern code intelligence and accurate syntax parsing don't require assembling and maintaining a plugin stack.

Biggest weakness: The learning curve is steep for anyone not already comfortable with Vim's modal, keyboard-driven editing model, and a productive setup still typically requires configuring a plugin ecosystem (completion, file trees, fuzzy finders) since the out-of-the-box experience is minimal by design.

Neovim pricing

Free · verified undefined NaN, NaN from the vendor's pricing page

What reviewers say

• 5/5 on Product Hunt (7 reviews)

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