GitHub Desktop icon
GitHub Desktop icon

GitHub Desktop

 136 likes

GitHub Desktop is a native Git client for Mac OS X and Windows with a graphical user interface.

On Windows

License model

  • FreeOpen Source

Country of Origin

  • US flagUnited States

Platforms

  • Mac
  • Windows
3.4 / 5 Avg rating (11)
136likes
9comments
0news articles

Features

Suggest and vote on features

Properties

  1.  Lightweight

Features

  1.  Dark Mode
  2. Git icon  Git Support
  3.  File Versioning
  4.  Ad-free
  5.  Electron based

 Tags

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GitHub Desktop information

  • Developed by

    US flagGithub Inc.
  • Licensing

    Open Source (MIT) and Free product.
  • Written in

  • Rating

    Average rating of 3.4 (11 ratings)
  • Alternatives

    63 alternatives listed
  • Supported Languages

    • English

AlternativeTo Category

Development

GitHub repository

  •  20,541 Stars
  •  9,683 Forks
  •  852 Open Issues
  •   Updated Jun 11, 2025 
View on GitHub

Our users have written 9 comments and reviews about GitHub Desktop, and it has gotten 136 likes

GitHub Desktop was added to AlternativeTo by Thelle Christensen on Dec 5, 2012 and this page was last updated Jul 15, 2024. GitHub Desktop is sometimes referred to as GitHub for Windows, GitHub for Mac.

Comments and Reviews

   
 Post comment/review
Top Positive Comment
Nick Scientist
Feb 7, 2023
1

Lacks some advanced features but a person who can handle some occasional advanced operations through the Git CLI, its an excellent free option.

Top Negative Comment
Alexandre ZANNI
Mar 29, 2018
2

No official linux support... And of course there will never be GitLab or Bitbucket support

gaikokujin
Aug 18, 2019

I agree with the lack of GNU/Linux support, but today there is an official BitBucket, GitLab and even Azure-DevOps support; see: https://github.com/desktop/desktop/tree/0c24836b13d31559f577a3e9cadc0194f7d6bba5/docs/integrations

basketjuly38
Dec 13, 2024
0

No integrated editor to resolve conflicts, wtf??

axcqhsbsadoukciozt
Aug 2, 2024
-1

No linux version? Really? Yeah, maybe it is open-source, but this strategy smells too much Microsoft... What they want? Me, to use Windows 11 with all ads and copilot screenshots enabled to run it?

danielmichel
Oct 21, 2018
0

So simple and intuitive. The UX can be a bit inconsistent, but it's nothing deal-breaking.

lupuleasai
Jun 13, 2018
0

Good git client, especially if you are using GitHub or GitHub enterprise since it is fast to setup and very user-friendly.

Altough, there are other more complex GUI's that support more functionality like (SourceTree - free) and (GitKraken - paid).

GitHub desktop is limited, but it is great for beginners and speed.

For any other complex commands you will need to bring up the console

Hope to see more features to it in the future, now that Microsoft acquired GitHub.

kawaiiwaffles
Jan 23, 2018
2
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7 of 9 comments

What is GitHub Desktop?

Simple collaboration from your desktop

GitHub Desktop is a seamless way to contribute to projects on GitHub and GitHub Enterprise.

Available for Mac and Windows

You’ll find all the projects you’re working on listed in the sidebar. If you’re starting a new project, use the repository drop down menu to create a new repository or clone an existing one directly from GitHub.com.

Branches are essential to proposing changes and reviewing code on GitHub—and they’re always available in the top left corner of the repository view. Just select the current branch to switch branches or create a new one.

View a diff of your uncommitted changes, and form the perfect commit by selecting the files—or even the specific lines—that make up a change. Enter the summary and description, then commit. See your history

Visualize your changes and commits in the comparison graph. You can select commits on the graph to navigate through the history of your local branches.

Once you’re happy with your commits, you can open a pull request for review and discussion without leaving GitHub Desktop or touching the command line.

Browse commits on local and remote branches to quickly and clearly see what changes still need to be merged. You can also merge your code to the master branch for deployment right from the app.

Official Links