Notepad++ Creator Don Ho Disavows Unauthorized macOS App By Andrey Letov

The creator of the Windows text editor Notepad++, Don Ho, publicly disavowed a macOS version that appeared to be “an unauthorized copy of the original,” according to PCMag’s report on the dispute.

“As its name implies, the venerable Notepad++ text editor began as a more capable version of the classic Windows Notepad, with features such as line numbering and syntax highlighting”

Ars Technica

PCMag said the Mac app was based on the free and open-source Notepad++ and that “the developer of NotePad++, Don Ho,” is “going out of his way to slam the Mac edition” after it surfaced.

Ars Technica

The Mac port’s developer, Andrey Letov, is described by PCMag as behind the macOS app and its website, which Ho said misleads users into believing it is official.

In a blog post covered by MacRumors, Ho said the macOS app is “not authorized, not endorsed, and not affiliated with” the official version of Notepad++ in any way.

Ars Technica similarly reported that Ho claims the Mac version and its author are “using the Notepad++ trademark (the name) without permission.”

Ho also emphasized the scope of the disavowal in multiple outlets, including his insistence that “To be crystal clear: Notepad++ has never released a macOS version,” as quoted by MacRumors.

The dispute centers on trademark and branding rather than the underlying code, with multiple outlets describing how Letov’s macOS port is built from Ho’s open-source work while using the Notepad++ name and logo.

PCMag reported that Letov’s site described the project as an “independent community port” with “no affiliation with Ho,” but that Ho said the distinction was lost as “several Reddit posts began to tout the Mac version.”

heise online

PCMag quoted Ho saying, “This site has absolutely nothing to do with Notepad++,” and added that Ho called it “not authorized, not endorsed, and not affiliated with the project in any way.”

In the same account, PCMag said Ho took issue with Letov using the Notepad++ logo and placing his name on the author page for the Mac version.

Ars Technica described Ho’s concern in terms of user confusion and trademark exposure, quoting an email Ho reposted to GitHub: “The problem is that using the official name Notepad++ and its logo gives the impression that your project is an official macOS version maintained or endorsed by the Notepad++ team, which is not the case.”

Ars Technica also quoted Ho’s warning that “This create [sic] confusion for users and exposes both you and the project to trademark issues.”

Separately, heise online reported that the macOS port “Notepad++ for Mac” was launched by Letov on March 10, 2026, with the first public version (v1.0.0) released on April 7, 2026, and that updates followed to keep pace with the Windows version.

While Ho criticized the existing macOS branding, Letov responded by saying he would rebrand the Mac app and its website, with multiple outlets tying the change to a specific version number and timeline.

“Notepad++ creator Don Ho said the macOS version of the popular Windows code editor is fake and using the Notepad++ trademark without permission”

MacRumors

MacRumors reported that, “In coordination with Don Ho, the developer of the macOS port Andrey Letov said he will rebrand the Mac app and its corresponding website in the coming days,” and that the updates “such as a new logo, a refined name, and likely a new domain will ship with version 1.0.6 in the coming days.”

heise online likewise said the port was to get “a new name and logo,” and that Letov announced “The changes are to be introduced in the coming days with version 1.0.6 of the text editor.”

heise online also described Letov’s stated approach: “I'll be evolving the branding of the macOS version so it stands on its own while respecting its lineage,” and it added that “Continuity for existing users is a priority, and I'll make the transition as seamless as I can.”

PCMag reported that Letov asked for two weeks to prepare for a name change, and that Ho responded by reporting the unauthorized use of the Notepad++ trademark to Cloudflare, with PCMag describing Ho’s view that the website “behaves [as] an impersonation/phishing site.”

PCMag also said Letov’s site noted that “The domain will be changing tomorrow to nextpad.org,” while PCMag reported that Ho requested the domain be changed.

Across the coverage, the rebranding is framed as a shift away from the Notepad++ name and logo while keeping the lineage of the code base.

Beyond trademark confusion, heise online reported that Ho’s reservations also included concerns about whether the macOS port contains malware or a backdoor, and about his ability to review the code.

heise online said Ho “justifies his reservations against the use of the brand name” by stating that he “cannot ensure that, for example, the Mac port contains neither malware nor a backdoor.”

Ars Technica

The outlet also reported that Ho said he “doesn't have time to review the code and ensure this,” and that differences between the Mac variant and the Windows editor could confuse users.

In the heise online account, Ho’s frustration also extended to the appearance of his name and biography on the project site, which he said gave the project “an official air.”

heise online quoted Ho’s clarification: “This site has absolutely nothing to do with Notepad++. It’s not authorized, not endorsed, and not affiliated with the project in any way,” and it repeated Ho’s complaint that the project was “misleading, inappropriate, and frankly disrespectful to both the project and its users.”

PCMag similarly quoted Ho’s statement that “This is misleading, inappropriate, and frankly disrespectful to both the project and its users,” and it added that Ho said the site “has already fooled people—including tech media—into believing this is an official release.”

PCMag also reported that Ho said he had “reported your unauthorized use of the Notepad++ trademark to your CDN provider Cloudflare,” and that Ho described the website as “behaves [as] an impersonation/phishing site because it misleads users into believing your product is the official Notepad++ release.”

The next phase of the dispute is tied to Letov’s planned rebrand and version updates, but the coverage also shows how the conflict is being handled through public statements and coordination.

“As its name implies, the venerable Notepad++ text editor began as a more capable version of the classic Windows Notepad, with features such as line numbering and syntax highlighting”

Ars Technica

MacRumors said Letov’s rebranding will include “a new logo, a refined name, and likely a new domain” shipping with version 1.0.6, and it emphasized that “Emphasis on unofficial.”

heise online

heise online reported that Ho and other angry users had demanded on Ho’s GitHub page that the name be changed immediately, and it described Letov’s response as a plan to evolve branding “in consultation with Ho.”

heise online also stated that “The future name is not yet known,” even as it reported the planned changes and the version number.

PCMag reported that Letov’s site was still using the “notepad-plus-plus-mac.org” domain at the time of publication, but that Ho requested it be changed, and that Letov’s site said “The domain will be changing tomorrow to nextpad.org.”

Ars Technica described an escalating back-and-forth in a Notepad++ GitHub thread, including Ho saying he had been contacted by Letov before the app launched but “hadn't had time to reply.”

Across the outlets, the practical consequence for users is that the macOS app’s branding and domain are expected to change, while Ho continues to insist that “Notepad++ has never released a macOS version,” as quoted by MacRumors and Ars Technica.