Neovim
Neovim community (open source project)
Neovim is a hyperextensible Vim-based text editor focused on extensibility and usability. It's not a direct Mac app but a refactored Vim that can be used in the terminal or with various macOS GUI clients, offering a powerful and customizable text editing experience for developers and advanced users.
User Sentiments
Top Likes
- Highly extensible and customizable
- Fast and efficient text editing
- Large and active community with extensive plugin ecosystem
- Cross-platform compatibility (macOS, Linux, Windows)
- Modern features like built-in LSP client and Lua scripting
Top Dislikes
- Steep learning curve, especially for beginners
- Configuration can be complex
- Requires terminal proficiency for command-line usage
- GUI clients may vary in features and stability
Popular Comments
Medium - Takuya Matsuyama
2023-11-14
The community plugins have evolved significantly...The pace of evolution is so rapid and I have found it somewhat challenging to keep my configuration updated...As a result, I decided to rely on one of the Neovim setups, which is called LazyVim.
Reddit User - dragonpuncher (referencing Neovim in Vim context)
2023
I've been using vim for years, switched to neovim, and at this point I'm ready to...
Reddit User - j5098 (using VimR, a Neovim GUI for macOS)
7 yr. ago
Yea I prefer having it outside of iTerm for two reasons; it's faster and you can switch directly to the right window instead of finding it within terminal sessions.
Slashdot User
2025
Neovim has 30% less source code than Vim. This allows for new applications to be developed without compromising Vim's traditional roles. Lua is already included, but Vimscript has the most advanced Vimscript engine
Youtube - Chris Titus Tech
2022-11-07
I've tried it [Neovim]. and I feel like a god when I use it because it is absolutely amazing and I want to walk through kind of my beginner setup of neovim. because it is so powerful uh much more powerful than vs code once I customized it to my needs.
Reddit User - khamuili
9mo ago
because it is installed already on unix systems. you can use your favourite editor without any setup time.
Detailed Review
Neovim is not strictly a macOS application in the traditional sense, but rather an open-source project that refactors Vim to improve its extensibility, maintainability, and usability. For Mac users, Neovim is primarily accessed through the terminal or via a variety of GUI clients built specifically for macOS. It inherits Vim's modal editing paradigm, known for its efficiency and keyboard-centric approach, making it a favorite among developers who value speed and precision.
Standout Features
- Extensibility: Neovim's architecture is designed for extensibility, featuring a first-class API that supports plugins in any language.
- Modern Features: It includes modern features like a built-in Language Server Protocol (LSP) client for smart code completion, formatting, and diagnostics, as well as Lua scripting for configuration and plugin development.
- Cross-Platform: While not a native Mac app, Neovim runs seamlessly on macOS, as well as Linux and Windows, ensuring a consistent editing experience across different operating systems.
- Vim Compatibility: Neovim is highly compatible with Vim, supporting most Vim plugins and Vimscript, allowing users to transition smoothly from Vim.
- GUI Clients: A range of macOS GUI clients like VimR, VV, and neovim-mac provide a more integrated macOS experience, offering features like native menus, better font rendering, and improved clipboard integration.
- Active Community: Neovim boasts a vibrant and active community, resulting in a rich ecosystem of plugins and extensive support resources.
Conclusion
Neovim is a powerful and versatile text editor for macOS users, especially beneficial for those who are already familiar with Vim or are willing to invest time in learning its modal editing style. While the command-line interface might be initially daunting for some, the availability of user-friendly macOS GUI clients makes it more accessible. Its extensibility and modern features make it a compelling choice for developers seeking a highly customizable and efficient coding environment. For users seeking a lightweight, fast, and deeply configurable editor, Neovim and its macOS clients are excellent options. However, users accustomed to traditional GUI-based text editors with simpler configurations might find the initial setup and learning curve challenging.
