Technology · head to head
Vim vs Sublime Text
Vim
Technology
Highly configurable text editor built to enable efficient text editing
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Sublime Text
Technology
A sophisticated text editor for code, markup and prose
- From
- $99/one-time
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Vim has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Vim configuration system uses keyboard mappings with no graphical interface for settings; Sublime Text a personal licence is $99 as a one off purchase but includes only 3 years of updates, after which a paid upgrade is required to keep receiving them
- They diverge on capability: Vim covers Modal editing, Sublime Text covers Lightning fast performance.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Vim and Sublime Text actually diverge.
| Attribute | Vim | Sublime Text |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $99/one-time |
| Pricing model | free | one-time |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Linux, Unix, macOS, Windows | Windows, Macos, Linux |
| Founded | 1988 | 2007 |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Technology).
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 Vim
- Modal editing
- Extensive customization
- Plugin support
- Macro recording
- Split windows
- Syntax highlighting
- Search and replace
- Command history
Only in Sublime Text
- Lightning fast performance
- Multiple selections
- Command palette
- Instant project switch
- Plugin ecosystem
- Customizable UI
- Advanced search and replace
- Split editing
Both cover
- Language servers
- Build systems
- Local editing
- No data collection
- Local deployment
- Windows support
- Macos support
- Linux support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Vim
- Code editingnot Sublime Text
- Configuration filesnot Sublime Text
- System administrationnot Sublime Text
- Remote editingnot Sublime Text
- Terminal-based developmentnot Sublime Text
Sublime Text
- Editing code and text files in a fast native desktop editornot Vim
- Working across large files and projects with multi cursor editingnot Vim
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Vim
- Configuration system uses keyboard mappings with no graphical interface for settings
- Requires browsing documentation to modify even basic settings
- Lacks sensible defaults for many common configurations
- Plugin ecosystem stability varies widely depending on custom configuration complexity
Sublime Text
- A personal licence is $99 as a one off purchase but includes only 3 years of updates, after which a paid upgrade is required to keep receiving them
- Business use is a separate annual subscription rather than a perpetual licence, starting at $65 per seat per year
- The distinction means the same editor is perpetual for an individual and subscription for a company
Pricing, plan by plan
Vim
Free- FreeFree
- Powerful text editing
- Extensive customization
- Plugin ecosystem
Sublime Text
$99/one-time- Personal License$99/one-time
- 3 years of updates
- All current features
- Cross-platform license
Which should you pick?
Choose Vim if
- You need modal editing.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Linux, Unix, macOS, Windows.
- You also want extensive customization.
Choose Sublime Text if
- You need lightning fast performance.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Linux.
- You also want multiple selections.
Questions people ask
- Is Vim or Sublime Text better?
- Neither clearly leads. Vim starts at Free and Sublime Text at $99/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Vim or Sublime Text?
- Vim has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Vim and $99/one-time for Sublime Text.
- Does Vim or Sublime Text run on more platforms?
- Vim runs on Linux, Unix, macOS, Windows. Sublime Text runs on Windows, Macos, Linux.
- Can I use Vim for free?
- Yes. Vim has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Sublime Text starts at $99/one-time.
- What is Vim best used for?
- Vim is most often used for code editing, configuration files, system administration, remote editing. Of those, code editing and configuration files are not what Sublime Text is typically brought in for.
- What can Vim do that Sublime Text cannot?
- Vim covers Modal editing, Extensive customization, Plugin support, Macro recording. Sublime Text covers Lightning fast performance, Multiple selections, Command palette, Instant project switch. Both handle Language servers, Build systems, Local editing, No data collection.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Vim: Is Vim free and open source?
Yes, Vim is free and open source, distributed under a charityware license. The creator requested donations to ICCF Holland, a non-profit supporting AIDS victims in Uganda. All donations are forwarded to ICCF.
SourceVim: What platforms does Vim support?
Vim runs on Unix-like systems (Linux, macOS, BSD), Windows (7, 8, 10, 11), VMS, and is available through package managers or standalone installation on all major operating systems.
SourceVim: Who maintains Vim now?
Vim was created by Bram Moolenaar, who passed away on August 3, 2023. Christian Brabandt is the current lead maintainer, and the project continues with volunteer contributors.
Source