GitHub Desktop AlternativesTop Version Control Systems & Git Clients like GitHub Desktop

GitHub Desktop is described as 'Native Git client for Mac OS X and Windows with a graphical user interface' and is a very popular Version Control system in the development category. There are more than 50 alternatives to GitHub Desktop for a variety of platforms, including Mac, Windows, Linux, Android and F-Droid apps. The best GitHub Desktop alternative is SmartGit, which is free. Other great apps like GitHub Desktop are GitKraken, Sourcetree, TortoiseGit and Fork.

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GitHub Desktop alternatives are mainly Version Control Systems but may also be Git Clients or Issue Tracking Systems.  Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of GitHub Desktop.
GitHub Desktop iconGitHub Desktop
  128
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GitHub Desktop is a native Git client for Mac OS X and Windows with a graphical user interface.

More about GitHub Desktop
More about GitHub Desktop
GitHub Desktop alternatives page was last updated Oct 14, 2024
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  1. SmartGit icon
    SmartGit icon

    SmartGit

     362 likes
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    SmartGit is a front-end for the distributed version control system Git and runs on Windows, macOS and Linux. SmartGit is intended for developers who prefer a graphical user interface over a command line client, to be even more productive with Git.

    68 SmartGit alternatives
    SmartGit screenshot 1

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    SmartGit screenshot 1
    SmartGit screenshot 2
    +3
    SmartGit screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Conflict resolver
    2.  Interactive Rebase
    3.  Side-by-Side Comparison
    4.  Git-flow integration
    5.  Indexed search
    6. Git icon  Git Support
    7.  Merge code
    8.  Dark Mode
    9.  Works Offline
    10.  Ad-free
    11.  File Versioning
    12.  Hg hosting
    SmartGit iconGitHub Desktop Icon

    SmartGit VS GitHub Desktop

    Is SmartGit a good alternative to GitHub Desktop?
     
    Comments about SmartGit as an Alternative to GitHub Desktop
     
    Guest

    very complete, it has many more functions than github desktop, for example conflict solver and commit search. customizable and fast interface. definetly one of the best

    Positive comment •Sep 8, 2020
    0
    GitHub Desktop Icon
    SmartGit icon

    • Most users think SmartGit is a great GitHub Desktop alternative.

    • SmartGit is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to GitHub Desktop.

    • SmartGit is the most popular free alternative to GitHub Desktop.

    • SmartGit is Freemium and ProprietaryGitHub Desktop is Free and Open Source
    • SmartGit is LightweightGitHub Desktop is not according to our users
  2. GitKraken icon
    GitKraken icon

    GitKraken

     169 likes
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    Millions of developers and teams around the world choose GitKraken Client to make Git more visual and accessible with an intuitive UI, the flexibility to switch between a GUI or a terminal, and a seamless experience across operating systems.

    69 GitKraken alternatives
    GitKraken screenshot 1

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Visual Studio Code
    • Online
    • Google Chrome
    • Firefox
    • Microsoft Edge
    GitKraken screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1. GitHub icon  GitHub Integration
    2.  File Versioning
    3.  Dark Mode
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  Syntax Highlighting
    6. Git icon  Git Support
    7.  Tree view
    8.  GUI Designer
    9.  Git-flow integration
    10. Bitbucket icon  Bitbucket Integration
    11.  Interactive Rebase
    GitKraken iconGitHub Desktop Icon

    GitKraken VS GitHub Desktop

    Is GitKraken a good alternative to GitHub Desktop?
     

    • Most users think GitKraken is a great GitHub Desktop alternative.

    • GitKraken is the most popular Web-based alternative to GitHub Desktop.

    • GitKraken is Freemium and ProprietaryGitHub Desktop is Free and Open Source
    • GitKraken is LightweightGitHub Desktop is not according to our users
  4. Sourcetree icon
    Sourcetree icon

    Sourcetree

     276 likes
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    A powerful Mac and Windows client for Mercurial and Git distributed version control systems.

    65 Sourcetree alternatives
    Sourcetree screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Sourcetree screenshot 1
    Git-flow and Hg-flow out of the box
    +3
    Sourcetree screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Works with public and private repos
    2.  Git-flow integration
    3. Git icon  Git Support
    4. Bitbucket icon  Bitbucket Integration
    5.  3 way merge
    6.  Merge code
    7.  Works Offline
    8.  Dark Mode
    9.  Ad-free
    10.  Syntax Highlighting
    11.  File Versioning
    12.  Mercurial support
    Sourcetree iconGitHub Desktop Icon

    Sourcetree VS GitHub Desktop

    Is Sourcetree a good alternative to GitHub Desktop?
     
  5. TortoiseGit icon
    TortoiseGit icon

    TortoiseGit

     126 likes
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    TortoiseGit is a Windows Shell Interface to Git and based on TortoiseSVN. It's open source and can fully be build with freely available software.

    69 TortoiseGit alternatives
    (Configurable) Context menu

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Tailored context menu for (ignored) .patch files
    Drag'n'drop context menu
    +9
    Overlay icons in explorer indicating the status of files and folders

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1. Git icon  Git Support
    2.  Dark Mode
    3.  Shell integration
    4.  Document Merging
    TortoiseGit iconGitHub Desktop Icon

    TortoiseGit VS GitHub Desktop

    Is TortoiseGit a good alternative to GitHub Desktop?
     

    • Almost everyone thinks TortoiseGit is a great GitHub Desktop alternative.

    • TortoiseGit is the most popular Open Source alternative to GitHub Desktop.

    • TortoiseGit is Free and Open SourceGitHub Desktop is also Free and Open Source
    • TortoiseGit is LightweightGitHub Desktop is not according to our users
  6. Fork icon
    Fork icon

    Fork

     80 likes
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    A fast and friendly git client for Mac and Windows.

    48 Fork alternatives
    Fork screenshot 1

    License model

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Fork screenshot 1
    Fork screenshot 2
    +2
    Fork screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Conflict resolver
    2.  Dark Mode
    3.  Tree view
    4.  Native application
    5.  Git-flow integration
    6.  Support for staging
    7.  Interactive Rebase
    8.  Ad-free
    9.  Works Offline
    10.  File Versioning
    11.  Command line interface
    12.  Support for Keyboard Shortcuts
    Fork iconGitHub Desktop Icon

    Fork VS GitHub Desktop

    Is Fork a good alternative to GitHub Desktop?
     
    Comments about Fork as an Alternative to GitHub Desktop
     
    Guest

    Love the interactive rebase

    Positive comment •Jun 27, 2018
    0
    GitHub Desktop Icon
    Fork icon

    • Most users think Fork is a great GitHub Desktop alternative.

    • Fork is the most popular commercial alternative to GitHub Desktop.

    • Fork is Paid and ProprietaryGitHub Desktop is Free and Open Source
    • Fork is Lightweight and Privacy focusedGitHub Desktop is not according to our users
  7. Gittyup icon
    Gittyup icon

    Gittyup

     31 likes
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    Gittyup is a graphical Git client designed to help you understand and manage your source code history. Gittyup is a continuation of the GitAhead client.

    59 Gittyup alternatives
    Gittyup screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Qt
    Gittyup screenshot 1
    Gittyup screenshot 2

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Dark Mode
    2. Git icon  Git Support
    3.  Ad-free
    4.  File Versioning
    5.  Real time collaboration
    6.  Syntax Highlighting
    7.  Works Offline
    Gittyup iconGitHub Desktop Icon

    Gittyup VS GitHub Desktop

    Is Gittyup a good alternative to GitHub Desktop?
     
  9. Git Extensions icon
    Git Extensions icon

    Git Extensions

     75 likes
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    Git Extensions is a standalone UI tool for managing git repositories. It also integrates with Windows Explorer and Microsoft Visual Studio (2010/2012/2013/2015/2017). Linux is supported by 2.51 version with some issues.

    51 Git Extensions alternatives
    Version 3.0 Beta

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    .gitignore pattern preview
    The full commit history can be browsed. There is a graph that shows branches.
    +2
    There is a single file history viewer that shows all revisions of a single file and the changes.

    Git Extensions Features

    1. Git icon  Git Support
    2. File Explorer icon  Windows Explorer Extension
    3.  Tree view
    4. GitHub icon  GitHub Integration
    5.  Shell integration
    6.  Plugin API
    Git Extensions iconGitHub Desktop Icon

    Git Extensions VS GitHub Desktop

    Is Git Extensions a good alternative to GitHub Desktop?
     
    Comments about Git Extensions as an Alternative to GitHub Desktop
     
    kubelsmieci

    Powerfull, fast, customizable, rich UI

    Positive comment •Sep 1, 2017
    0
    GitHub Desktop Icon
    Git Extensions icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Git Extensions is a great GitHub Desktop alternative.

    • Git Extensions is Free and Open SourceGitHub Desktop is also Free and Open Source
  10. GitAhead icon
    GitAhead icon

    GitAhead

     58 likes
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    GitAhead lets you filter results and performs advanced searches. It shows you exactly what you need to see and makes navigating through thousands of commits a piece of cake.

    51 GitAhead alternatives
    Main window

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    GitAhead Features

    1. Git icon  Git Support
    2.  Dark Mode
    Diff view
    GitAhead screenshot 2
    +9
    GitAhead screenshot 3
    Discontinued

    No longer under active development, per info in repo at https://github.com/gitahead/gitahead#please-note but there's a fork called Gittyup icon Gittyup that you can try.

    GitAhead iconGitHub Desktop Icon

    GitAhead VS GitHub Desktop

    Is GitAhead a good alternative to GitHub Desktop?
     
  11. Gitnuro icon
    Gitnuro icon

    Gitnuro

     12 likes
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    A FOSS Git multiplatform client for newbies and pros.

    25 Gitnuro alternatives
    Gitnuro screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Dark Mode
    2. Git icon  Git Support
    3.  Multiplatform
    4.  File Versioning
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  Portable
    7.  No registration required
    Gitnuro iconGitHub Desktop Icon

    Gitnuro VS GitHub Desktop

    Is Gitnuro a good alternative to GitHub Desktop?
     
  12. Sublime Merge icon
    Sublime Merge icon

    Sublime Merge

     28 likes
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    Sublime Merge is a fast and intuitive git client built on the same performant platform as Sublime Text.

    61 Sublime Merge alternatives
    Sublime Merge screenshot 1

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    Sublime Merge Features

    1. Git icon  Git Support
    2.  Git-flow integration
    3.  Diff detection
    4.  Merge code
    5. GitHub icon  GitHub Integration
    Sublime Merge iconGitHub Desktop Icon

    Sublime Merge VS GitHub Desktop

    Is Sublime Merge a good alternative to GitHub Desktop?
     
  13. Retcon icon
    Retcon icon

    Retcon

     4 likes
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    The native macOS app for effortlessly rewriting Git history. Move and squash commits with drag-and-drop, undo any mistake with cmd+Z, and get crystal-clear context at every step.

    41 Retcon alternatives
    Composing a commit

    License model

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Editing a commit
    Viewing a commit

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Dark Mode
    2.  Command line interface
    3.  Portable
    4. Git icon  Git Support
    5.  No Tracking
    6.  File Versioning
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Works Offline
    9.  Interactive Rebase
    10.  Drag and Drop
    11.  Unlimited undo
    Retcon iconGitHub Desktop Icon

    Retcon VS GitHub Desktop

    Is Retcon a good alternative to GitHub Desktop?
     
  14. gitg icon
    gitg icon

    gitg

     53 likes
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    gitg is a git repository viewer targeting gtk+/GNOME. One of its main objectives is to provide a more unified user experience for git frontends across multiple desktops. It does this not be writing a cross-platform application, but by close collaboration with similar clients for...

    58 gitg alternatives
    Main View

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    History View
    Staging Changes

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Dark Mode
    2.  No registration required
    3.  Ad-free
    4. Git icon  Git Support
    gitg iconGitHub Desktop Icon

    gitg VS GitHub Desktop

    Is gitg a good alternative to GitHub Desktop?
     
    Comments about gitg as an Alternative to GitHub Desktop
     
    pablobianchi

    Easy, stable and official from Gnome project.

    Positive comment •Mar 1, 2019
    0
    GitHub Desktop Icon
    gitg icon

    • Most users think gitg is a great GitHub Desktop alternative.

    • gitg is Free and Open SourceGitHub Desktop is also Free and Open Source
    • gitg is LightweightGitHub Desktop is not according to our users
12 of 61 GitHub Desktop alternatives