Tool profile
Kate: cost, fit and limits
Kate is a free, open source text and code editor made by the KDE community that runs on Linux, Windows and macOS, with multi-cursor editing, split views, LSP autocompletion and syntax highlighting for over 400 languages.
What to know first
Kate is a KDE project, so it is free and open source with no price line on its site. The homepage lists syntax highlighting for over 400 languages, multi-cursor and multi-selection editing, split views, a project sidebar, an integrated terminal and LSP-based autocompletion. It names no AI feature, which suits developers who prefer to keep AI out of the editor.
Kate at a glance
| Maker | KDE e.V., Germany |
|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes |
| Entry price | Free |
| API access | No |
| Category | Best AI Code Editors in 2026, rank 9 of 13 |
| Website | kate-editor.org |
Who Kate is best for
Linux desktop developers
As a KDE application, Kate fits Linux desktops and also runs on Windows and macOS, per the homepage, so one editor can follow a developer between machines.
Polyglot programmers
Syntax highlighting covers over 400 languages, which helps people who touch configuration, scripts and several programming languages in a day.
Privacy minded users
The KDE policy page says KDE software does not transmit data from devices except on explicit user action, which is a short and clear statement for review.
Kate plans and pricing
| Plan | Price | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Kate | Free | Free and open-source software from the KDE community for Linux, Windows and macOS, with no paid tier listed. |
Checked November 2026.
What Kate does
- Multi-cursor editing
- Multi-cursor and multi-selection editing let you change many lines at once, which is a core feature on the homepage and removes the need for macros in many repetitive edits.
- Split views and project sidebar
- Split views and a project sidebar for directory navigation help when you keep several files open side by side, for example a source file next to its test or a header.
- LSP autocompletion
- Autocompletion works through the Language Server Protocol, so quality depends on the language server you install for each language, rather than on anything built into Kate itself.
- Terminal and SQL plugins
- An integrated terminal emulator and SQL plugins are installed by default, which saves switching windows for small database tasks or for running a build next to your code.
How Kate handles your data
The KDE policy page for apps says KDE software does not transmit data from devices except on explicit user action. Kate names no AI feature, so no training or AI retention terms apply to the editor itself. Hosting region and certifications are not stated on the pages we read. Any language server or extension you connect brings its own data practices, which the vendor does not describe.
Where Kate falls short in practice
- No named AI. No AI feature is named on the Kate pages, so assistants must be run outside the editor, for example in a terminal or a separate application on the same desktop.
- Servers installed per language. Autocompletion depends on a Language Server Protocol server installed for each language, so setup effort grows with the number of languages you work in every week.
- Plugin dependence for databases. SQL support arrives as plugins rather than as a full database tool, so advanced database work is limited to what those plugins provide inside the editor.
Works with
Alternatives to Kate
Kate: common questions
Is Kate free?
Yes. Kate is free and open-source software from the KDE community, and its site shows no price line. It runs on Linux, Windows and macOS according to the homepage. Support comes from the community rather than from a paid plan.
Does Kate have AI features?
No AI feature is named on the Kate pages we read. The homepage lists syntax highlighting, multi-cursor editing, split views, a terminal emulator and LSP autocompletion instead. Developers who want AI help usually run an assistant in a separate tool or terminal.
How many languages does Kate highlight?
The homepage lists syntax highlighting for over 400 languages. Autocompletion is a separate matter: it works through the Language Server Protocol and needs a server installed for each language you use, so quality varies by language and by server. Check the language list in the application settings.
Does Kate send data to KDE?
The KDE policy page says KDE software does not transmit data from devices except on explicit user action. The pages we read do not describe telemetry settings for Kate in more detail, so check the application settings if your organization requires confirmation.
Which operating systems run Kate?
The homepage says Kate is available for Linux, Windows and macOS. It is a KDE application, so Linux desktops are its home platform. The pages we read do not say whether every feature behaves identically on all three systems. Check the download page before installing.