Geany

Q: Is there a Geany online version?

No. Geany is a desktop app for Linux, Windows and macOS. The official site offers downloads, not a browser version.

Q: Is Geany free?

Yes. Geany is free software under the GPL v2 license. There is no paid edition.

Q: Is Geany still maintained?

Yes. Geany 2.1 and Geany-Plugins 2.1 were released in July 2025. In January 2025 the project asked for a new maintainer for its Windows builds.

Q: Which languages does Geany support?

More than 50. They include C, Java, PHP, Python and Perl, plus file formats such as INI config files, diff output and SQL.

Q: Does Geany work on macOS and Windows?

Yes. The project says Geany runs on Linux, Windows and macOS.

Q: What are good Geany alternatives?

Other light editors and full IDEs. Compare them on our Geany alternatives page.

A small, fast code editor with basic IDE features. Free and open source.

FreeOpen sourceDesktop app

Visit geany.org ↗Last verified: 5 Nov 2026

Fact-checked

Refael EliyahuMarketing, Startup StashEconomics-trained and numbers-first. He owns content, SEO, and distribution here, and every tools page goes through him before the Fact-checked mark goes live.

FreeGPL v2 license

2.1Version, July 2025

50+Languages supported

Win, Mac, LinuxPlatforms

The short version

What is Geany?

Geany is a free, lightweight text editor for programmers with some IDE features built in. It is still maintained: version 2.1 came out in July 2025.

The project calls Geany "The Flyweight IDE". It runs on Linux, Windows and macOS, supports more than 50 programming languages and is translated into over 40 languages. A plugin system adds things like Git and SVN support, spell check and a project organizer. In January 2025 the team asked for a new maintainer for the Windows builds, so Windows users may want to check the download page for the latest build.

Bottom line: Geany is a good pick if you want a quick, simple editor that opens fast on older or low-power machines. It is a desktop app only. If you need a code editor that runs in the browser, look at the tools in our IDE list.

What it does

Key features

Fast and small

A lightweight graphical editor that starts quickly and stays out of the way.

Many file types

Built-in support for more than 50 languages, including C, Java, PHP, Python and Perl, plus formats like INI, diff and SQL.

Plugins

Add-ons cover VCS support for Git and SVN, spell check, a project organizer and a translation helper.

Customizable

Color themes, new file types and many settings can be changed to fit how you work.

What it costs

Geany pricing (2026)

Plan	Price	What you get
Geany	Free	The full editor for Linux, Windows and macOS, under the GPL v2 license.
Geany-Plugins	Free	The official plugin collection. Version 2.1 came out in July 2025.

Source: geany.org on 5 Nov 2026. Geany is free software with no paid tier.

Honest fit

Who it's for, who it isn't

Pick Geany if

You want a fast, light editor for everyday coding
You work on Linux and want a native desktop app
You like a simple IDE without heavy setup
You need free, open-source software

Look elsewhere if

You want to code in the browser, since Geany is desktop only
You need deep refactoring, debugging or AI coding help
You rely on a large extension marketplace
You need a team or cloud workspace

What people ask

Geany FAQ

Is there a Geany online version?

No. Geany is a desktop app for Linux, Windows and macOS. The official site offers downloads, not a browser version.

Is Geany free?

Yes. Geany is free software under the GPL v2 license. There is no paid edition.

Is Geany still maintained?

Yes. Geany 2.1 and Geany-Plugins 2.1 were released in July 2025. In January 2025 the project asked for a new maintainer for its Windows builds.

Which languages does Geany support?

More than 50. They include C, Java, PHP, Python and Perl, plus file formats such as INI config files, diff output and SQL.

Does Geany work on macOS and Windows?

Yes. The project says Geany runs on Linux, Windows and macOS.

What are good Geany alternatives?

Other light editors and full IDEs. Compare them on our Geany alternatives page.

Keep comparing

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