Softwr

Developer Tools · head to head

Notepad++ vs SAP BusinessObjects

Notepad++ logo

Notepad++

Developer Tools

Free, lightweight source code and text editor for Windows

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Visit Notepad++Full review
SAP BusinessObjects logo

SAP BusinessObjects

Business Intelligence

Enterprise business intelligence suite

From
$400/month
Free plan
No
Visit SAP BusinessObjectsFull review

The short version

  • Notepad++ is a free, open-source text and source code editor for Windows; SAP BusinessObjects is a comprehensive business intelligence suite.
  • Notepad++ is free; SAP BusinessObjects starts at $400/mo.
  • Only Notepad++ lists syntax Highlighting; only SAP BusinessObjects lists crystal Reports.
  • Where Notepad++ falls short: windows-only, with no official native macOS or Linux build.
  • Prices and features on this page were last checked on 13 November 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Notepad++ and SAP BusinessObjects actually diverge.

Attributes where Notepad++ and SAP BusinessObjects differ
AttributeNotepad++SAP BusinessObjects
Starting priceFree$400/month
Pricing modelOpen-sourceSubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindowsWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
CategoryDeveloper ToolsBusiness Intelligence
Founded20031972

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 Notepad++

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

Only in SAP BusinessObjects

  • Crystal Reports
  • Web Intelligence
  • Lumira
  • Analysis for Office
  • Live Office
  • SAP HANA
  • SAP ERP
  • Oracle

What people use each for

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

Notepad++

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

SAP BusinessObjects

  • Enterprise reportingnot Notepad++
  • Executive dashboardsnot Notepad++
  • Regulatory compliancenot Notepad++
  • Strategic planningnot Notepad++
  • Operational analyticsnot Notepad++

Where each one falls short

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

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

SAP BusinessObjects

  • SAP BusinessObjects Private Cloud Edition is listed on UK G-Cloud 14 as a Cloud software service by SAP (UK) Limited titled 'SAP Business Objects Private Cloud Edition', alongside a reseller listing from NTT DATA Business Solutions; the G-Cloud search results describe it as subscription-based but show no per-user or per-month figure in the listing summary

Pricing, plan by plan

Notepad++

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

SAP BusinessObjects

$400/month
  • Standard$400/mo
    • Core BI Tools
    • Web Intelligence
    • Crystal Reports
  • EnterpriseFree
    • Full Suite
    • Advanced Features
    • Premium Support

Which should you pick?

Choose Notepad++ if

  • You need syntax highlighting.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want tabbed editing.
Notepad++ review

Choose SAP BusinessObjects if

  • You need crystal reports.
  • You work on Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
  • You also want web intelligence.
SAP BusinessObjects review

Questions people ask

Is Notepad++ or SAP BusinessObjects better?
Neither clearly leads. Notepad++ starts at Free and SAP BusinessObjects at $400/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Notepad++ or SAP BusinessObjects?
Notepad++ has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Notepad++ and $400/month for SAP BusinessObjects.
Does Notepad++ or SAP BusinessObjects run on more platforms?
Notepad++ runs on Windows. SAP BusinessObjects runs on Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
Can I use Notepad++ for free?
Yes. Notepad++ has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. SAP BusinessObjects starts at $400/month.
What is Notepad++ best used for?
Notepad++ is most often used for quick editing of code and config files on windows, batch find-and-replace across multiple files with regex, lightweight alternative to a full ide for scripting, viewing and editing logs or large text files. Of those, quick editing of code and config files on windows and batch find-and-replace across multiple files with regex are not what SAP BusinessObjects is typically brought in for.
What can Notepad++ do that SAP BusinessObjects cannot?
Notepad++ covers Syntax Highlighting, Tabbed Editing, Plugin System, Regular Expression Search. SAP BusinessObjects covers Crystal Reports, Web Intelligence, Lumira, Analysis for Office.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Notepad++: Is Notepad++ free?

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

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
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
Share

Related pages

More on Notepad++

More on SAP BusinessObjects

Keep looking

Other head to heads