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Head-to-head · Git Clients

GitKraken Desktop vs Fork

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score GitKraken Desktop #1 in Git Clients 9.0/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit GitKraken
Fork #8 in Git Clients 6.8/10 From $59/user ✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Fork

GitKraken Desktop leads on 1 check, Fork on 3, and 0 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreGitKraken Desktop · 9.0/10
  • Free planonly GitKraken Desktop
  • Most featuresFork · 3 of 3

GitKraken Desktop scores higher on our rubric for git clients: 9.0 against 6.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #8.

GitKraken Desktop offers free plan; Fork doesn't. Fork offers visual history; GitKraken Desktop doesn't publish it. Fork offers conflict resolution; GitKraken Desktop doesn't publish it. Fork offers submodule support; GitKraken Desktop doesn't publish it.

GitKraken Desktop is the better fit for teams wanting a full-featured visual Git client. Fork is the better fit for desktop users who want a one-time-purchase Git GUI.

  • GitKraken Desktop fits best

    Teams wanting a full-featured visual Git client

  • Fork fits best

    Desktop users who want a one-time-purchase Git GUI

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. It never changes our verdict. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature GitKraken Desktop 9.0/10 Visit ↗ Fork 6.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 6.8
Ranking #1 in Git Clients #8 in Git Clients
Best for Teams wanting a full-featured visual Git client Desktop users who want a one-time-purchase Git GUI
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop, Self-hosted Desktop
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Windows, macOS
Support Email, Community, Docs Docs
Integrations 12 integrations 4 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features GitKraken Desktop 0/3 · Fork 3/3
Visual history Not published ✓ (best)
Conflict resolution Not published ✓ (best)
Submodule support Not published ✓ (best)
Specs
Supported platforms Not published macOS, Windows
Repository hosting Not published GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, Azure DevOps, self-hosted Git repositories
Git workflows Not published branching, merging, rebasing, interactive rebasing, cherry-picking, stashing
Our review
Pros
  • Visual history plus branch, merge, and interactive rebase workflows
  • Built-in conflict editor, Git LFS, and submodule support
  • Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux with major hosting integrations
  • Visual history, staging, and branch management in one desktop client
  • Supports interactive rebase, cherry-pick, stash, and conflict resolution
  • Connects to GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, and Azure DevOps
Cons
  • Private repository access requires a paid plan
  • Self-hosted and enterprise integrations require Advanced
  • Business pricing is custom-quoted
  • No free plan; the license costs $59 per user
  • Available only for macOS and Windows
  • Desktop-focused, with no mobile or web client
Our verdict

GitKraken Desktop is a graphical Git client for developers and development teams who want to manage repositories through a visual interface. Its commit graph and repository history sit alongside branch creation, merging, rebasing, and…

Read the review →

Fork is a desktop Git client for Windows and macOS, aimed at developers who prefer a visual interface for everyday repository work. It brings commit and branch history, repository management, staging, and committing into one application,…

Read the review →
  1. GitKraken DesktopGit Clients 9.0Free plan · 14-day trial
  2. ForkGit Clients 6.8From $59/user

Strengths and trade-offs

  • GitKraken Desktop — where it wins

    • Visual history plus branch, merge, and interactive rebase workflows
    • Built-in conflict editor, Git LFS, and submodule support
    • Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux with major hosting integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • Private repository access requires a paid plan
    • Self-hosted and enterprise integrations require Advanced
    • Business pricing is custom-quoted

  • Fork — where it wins

    • Visual history, staging, and branch management in one desktop client
    • Supports interactive rebase, cherry-pick, stash, and conflict resolution
    • Connects to GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, and Azure DevOps

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan; the license costs $59 per user
    • Available only for macOS and Windows
    • Desktop-focused, with no mobile or web client
  • GitKraken Desktop9.0/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

    A visual Git workspace with advanced workflows, conflict tools, and hosting integrations.

    Visit GitKrakenFull verdict →
  • Fork6.8/10 · From $59/user

    Fork covers core visual Git workflows with a one-time $59 desktop license.

    Visit ForkFull verdict →

More comparisons

All git clients comparisons → · Full ranking →

Guides on git clients

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Last updated · How we research and update