Go to anything
⌘P finds files, ⌘K runs commands and ⌘⇧F searches the workspace.
Sublime Text alternative
The free, open-source Sublime Text alternative for Mac.
Sublime Text is a fast editor for programmers. kayet is just as quick to start but built for prose first: Markdown with a live preview, zen mode and hidden chrome, with code highlighting when you need it.
kayet vs Sublime Text at a glance
| kayet | Sublime Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free, no paid tiers | Paid license, free evaluation |
| Source code | Open source (Apache 2.0) | Closed source |
| Where your text lives | Plain files in any folder you pick | Plain files |
| Platforms | macOS on Apple Silicon | Mac, Windows, Linux |
| Focus | Writing and Markdown | Programming |
| Markdown preview | Built in, live | Through packages |
| Plugins | None, by design | Large package ecosystem |
| Multiple cursors | — | Yes |
What will feel familiar
Fast
Native Rust under the hood. kayet starts instantly.
Settings in a file
All configuration is in one text file, ~/.kayet/config.toml.
Where kayet is different
Prose firstSmart Markdown lists, emphasis shortcuts, spell check and a live preview with HTML and PDF export.
Calmer windowNo minimap, gutter or status bar. The title bar hides until you need it.
Zen modeThe current line stays centered and other paragraphs are dimmed.
Free and open sourceNo license, no evaluation nag. Apache License 2.0.
When Sublime Text is the better choice
kayet does less on purpose. Stay with Sublime Text if:
- You write code all day and rely on multiple cursors, build systems and packages.
- You work on Windows or Linux, or with very large files.
Questions
Is kayet a Sublime Text alternative?
For writing, notes and Markdown, yes. For programming work that depends on packages and multiple cursors, Sublime Text is the better fit.
Does kayet highlight code?
Yes. Source code and data / config files are highlighted by file extension with a muted palette, and highlighting can be turned off.
Start writing.
Free and open source. Requires macOS on Apple Silicon.
Download for Mac
Signed and notarized. Release notes & previous versions.
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Sublime Text is a trademark of its respective owner. kayet is an independent project, not affiliated with or endorsed by the makers of Sublime Text. The comparison reflects publicly available information as of October 2026 and may change.