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Cybersecurity · head to head

Microsoft Intune vs Notepad++

Microsoft Intune logo

Microsoft Intune

Cybersecurity

Manage and protect cloud-connected endpoints across device platforms, apps and operating systems

From
$8/month
Free plan
No
Notepad++ logo

Notepad++

Developer Tools

Free, lightweight source code and text editor for Windows

From
Free
Free plan
Yes

The short version

  • Only Notepad++ has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Microsoft Intune individual add-ons at $2-5/user/month can become expensive when deploying multiple modules; Notepad++ windows-only, with no official native macOS or Linux build.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Microsoft Intune and Notepad++ actually diverge.

Attributes where Microsoft Intune and Notepad++ differ
AttributeMicrosoft IntuneNotepad++
Starting price$8/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionopen-source
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebwindows
CategoryCybersecurityDeveloper Tools
FoundedUnknown2003

Identical on both: 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 Microsoft Intune

Nothing recorded that Notepad++ does not also cover.

Only in Notepad++

  • Syntax Highlighting
  • Tabbed Editing
  • Plugin System
  • Regular Expression Search
  • Function List

What people use each for

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

Microsoft Intune

  • Mobile device and endpoint managementnot Notepad++
  • Enterprise device compliancenot Notepad++
  • Privilege access managementnot Notepad++
  • Remote device supportnot Notepad++

Notepad++

  • Quick editing of code and config files on Windowsnot Microsoft Intune
  • Batch find-and-replace across multiple files with regexnot Microsoft Intune
  • Lightweight alternative to a full IDE for scriptingnot Microsoft Intune
  • Viewing and editing logs or large text filesnot Microsoft Intune

Where each one falls short

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

Microsoft Intune

  • Individual add-ons at $2-5/user/month can become expensive when deploying multiple modules
  • Full Intune Suite at $10/user/month becomes better value when deploying two or more modules

Notepad++

  • Windows-only, with no official native macOS or Linux build.
  • Lacks built-in debugging or project/build management found in full IDEs.
  • Plugin quality and maintenance varies since they are community-contributed.
  • No built-in version control integration beyond what plugins provide.

Pricing, plan by plan

Microsoft Intune

$8/month
  • Microsoft Intune Plan 1$8/month
    • Device management
    • Mobile device management
    • Basic compliance policies
  • Intune Suite (Full)$10/month
    • Endpoint Privilege Management
    • Enterprise Application Management
    • Advanced Analytics
  • Intune Suite Add-on: Remote Help$2/month
    • Remote device support
  • Intune Suite Add-on: Endpoint Privilege Management$2/month
    • Privilege access control

Notepad++

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Microsoft Intune if

Nothing in the data separates Microsoft Intune from Notepad++ on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Choose Notepad++ if

  • You need syntax highlighting.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on windows.
  • You also want tabbed editing.

Questions people ask

Is Microsoft Intune or Notepad++ better?
Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Intune starts at $8/month and Notepad++ at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Microsoft Intune or Notepad++?
Notepad++ has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $8/month for Microsoft Intune and Free for Notepad++.
Does Microsoft Intune or Notepad++ run on more platforms?
Microsoft Intune runs on Web. Notepad++ runs on windows.
Can I use Notepad++ for free?
Yes. Notepad++ has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Microsoft Intune starts at $8/month.
What is Microsoft Intune best used for?
Microsoft Intune is most often used for mobile device and endpoint management, enterprise device compliance, privilege access management, remote device support. Of those, mobile device and endpoint management and enterprise device compliance are not what Notepad++ is typically brought in for.
What can Microsoft Intune do that Notepad++ cannot?
Notepad++ covers Syntax Highlighting, Tabbed Editing, Plugin System, Regular Expression Search.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Microsoft Intune: How much does Microsoft Intune cost?

Microsoft Intune Plan 1 costs $8/user/month for basic device management. The full Intune Suite costs $10/user/month including endpoint privilege management, enterprise application management, advanced analytics, remote help, Intune Plan 2, and Microsoft Cloud PKI.

Source
Notepad++: Is Notepad++ free?

Yes, Notepad++ is free and open-source software distributed under the GNU General Public License, with no paid tiers.

Source
Microsoft Intune: What add-ons are available for Microsoft Intune?

Individual Intune Suite add-ons range from $2-5/user/month and include Endpoint Privilege Management, Enterprise Application Management, Advanced Analytics, Remote Help, Intune Plan 2, and Microsoft Cloud PKI. Microsoft recommends the full Intune Suite at $10/user/month when deploying two or more modules for better value.

Source
Notepad++: What license does Notepad++ use?

Notepad++ is licensed under the GNU General Public License v2.0 (GPLv2), meaning its source code is freely available and modifiable under GPL terms.

Source
Microsoft Intune: Is Intune included in Microsoft 365 E5?

Starting in CY26 Q3, Intune Suite capabilities are included with Microsoft 365 E5 and E7 subscriptions, with select capabilities also in Microsoft 365 E3. These bundled versions do not have separate additional pricing.

Source
Notepad++: Which operating systems does Notepad++ support?

Notepad++ runs exclusively on Microsoft Windows; there is no official native build for macOS or Linux.

Source
Notepad++: How do I install plugins in Notepad++?

Plugins are installed and managed through the built-in Plugins Admin (plugin manager), which lists community plugins available for download and update.

Source
Notepad++: Where can I get help or documentation for Notepad++?

Official documentation is at the User Manual site, and community support is available through the Notepad++ community forum and GitHub issue tracker.

Source
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