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Developer Tools · head to head

GNU Emacs vs Strikingly

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GNU Emacs

Developer Tools

Extensible, customizable free text editor and computing environment

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Full reviewWebsite
Strikingly logo

Strikingly

Web Development

One-page website builder for small businesses and creators

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: GNU Emacs steep learning curve for its default keybindings and Lisp-based configuration.; Strikingly strikingly is optimized for single-page sites and is not well suited to building large, multi-section websites.
  • They diverge on capability: GNU Emacs covers Emacs Lisp Extensibility, Strikingly covers Drag-and-drop editor.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which GNU Emacs and Strikingly actually diverge.

Attributes where GNU Emacs and Strikingly differ
AttributeGNU EmacsStrikingly
Pricing modelopen-sourcefreemium
Platformslinux, mac, windowsweb
CategoryDeveloper ToolsWeb Development
Founded19842012

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in GNU Emacs

  • Emacs Lisp Extensibility
  • Package Ecosystem
  • Org Mode
  • Built-in Version Control Interfaces
  • Cross-platform

Only in Strikingly

  • Drag-and-drop editor
  • Simple Store
  • Blogging
  • Forms and live chat
  • Traffic analytics
  • Social feed integration
  • HTTPS/SSL

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

GNU Emacs

  • Programming with deep Lisp-based customizationnot Strikingly
  • Note-taking and planning with Org modenot Strikingly
  • Managing email and file systems from a single environmentnot Strikingly
  • Long-term, keyboard-driven text editing workflowsnot Strikingly

Strikingly

  • Personal portfolio or resume sitenot GNU Emacs
  • Single-product or small online storenot GNU Emacs
  • Event or landing pagenot GNU Emacs
  • Small business brochure sitenot GNU Emacs

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

GNU Emacs

  • Steep learning curve for its default keybindings and Lisp-based configuration.
  • Default UI looks dated compared to modern editors without heavy customization.
  • Performance can lag on very large files compared to newer editors.
  • Discoverability of features is poor without prior familiarity or external guides.

Strikingly

  • Strikingly is optimized for single-page sites and is not well suited to building large, multi-section websites.
  • Transaction fees of 2-5% apply to store sales on lower-tier plans in addition to payment processor fees.
  • Design customization is limited compared to code-based site builders, since sites are built from fixed templates.
  • The free plan does not support a custom domain, limiting its use for professional or commercial sites.

Pricing, plan by plan

GNU Emacs

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full editor and ecosystem, no paid tiers

Strikingly

Free
  • Limited$8/month
    • 2 sites
    • 1 GB storage per site
    • Up to 5 pages
  • Pro$16/month
    • 3 sites
    • 20 GB storage per site
    • Up to 100 pages
  • VIP$49/month
    • 5 sites
    • 100 GB storage per site
    • Up to 500 products

Which should you pick?

Choose GNU Emacs if

  • You need emacs lisp extensibility.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on linux, mac, windows.
  • You also want package ecosystem.
GNU Emacs review

Choose Strikingly if

  • You need drag-and-drop editor.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on web.
  • You also want simple store.
Strikingly review

Questions people ask

Is GNU Emacs or Strikingly better?
Neither clearly leads. GNU Emacs starts at Free and Strikingly at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, GNU Emacs or Strikingly?
GNU Emacs starts at Free and Strikingly at Free.
Does GNU Emacs or Strikingly run on more platforms?
GNU Emacs runs on linux, mac, windows. Strikingly runs on web.
Can I use GNU Emacs for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is GNU Emacs best used for?
GNU Emacs is most often used for programming with deep lisp-based customization, note-taking and planning with org mode, managing email and file systems from a single environment, long-term, keyboard-driven text editing workflows. Of those, programming with deep lisp-based customization and note-taking and planning with org mode are not what Strikingly is typically brought in for.
What can GNU Emacs do that Strikingly cannot?
GNU Emacs covers Emacs Lisp Extensibility, Package Ecosystem, Org Mode, Built-in Version Control Interfaces. Strikingly covers Drag-and-drop editor, Simple Store, Blogging, Forms and live chat.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

GNU Emacs: Is GNU Emacs free, including for commercial use?

Yes, Emacs is free software released under the GNU General Public License, which allows anyone to use, study, modify, and redistribute it, including commercially.

Source
Strikingly: Does Strikingly have a free plan?

Strikingly offers a free tier for getting started, with paid plans beginning at $8/month (billed yearly) adding a custom domain, more storage, and lower transaction fees on store sales.

Source
GNU Emacs: How do I install Emacs?

On Linux it is available via package managers like apt-get, pacman, dnf, or zypper; on macOS via Homebrew or MacPorts; on Windows via an installer or zip from GNU mirrors; and on Android via F-Droid or GNU FTP.

Source
Strikingly: Does Strikingly charge transaction fees on store sales?

Yes. The Limited plan charges a 5% transaction fee, the Pro plan charges 2%, and the VIP plan removes the transaction fee entirely, in addition to any payment processor fees.

Source
GNU Emacs: What platforms does Emacs support?

Emacs runs on GNU/Linux, FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD, Haiku, macOS, MS Windows, Android (versions 2.2 to 15.0), Solaris, and MS-DOS/FreeDOS.

Source
Strikingly: What payment methods can I use to sell products?

Strikingly's built-in Simple Store supports accepting payments through PayPal and Stripe.

Source
GNU Emacs: How is Emacs extended with packages?

Emacs is customized and extended through its Emacs Lisp dialect, with thousands of community packages distributed via repositories like MELPA that add language modes and tools.

Source
GNU Emacs: Where can I get source code or development builds?

Emacs source code and development builds are hosted at savannah.gnu.org, in addition to stable releases distributed through GNU mirrors.

Source
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